| Now that I am older I can look back on some | | | | home of my own, the second thing was a career |
| financial decisions I have made and shake my | | | | doing something I was truly passionate about, and |
| head. Luckily for me I was able to break the | | | | the third was to have enough money to help me |
| cycle of "being broke." The sad part of my past | | | | achieve what I needed and wanted out of life |
| is that I wasted so much time and money on | | | | without relying solely on borrowing money from |
| things that had no REAL value. It started with my | | | | banks, family or friends. |
| first credit card at the age of 18 and escalated to | | | | My simple action steps begin at the library where |
| cars and stupid material things in between. | | | | I started reading about budgeting and saving |
| Being a financially responsible adult was not at the | | | | money, next the book store, seminars, radio |
| top of my radar. However being successful and | | | | programs etcetera. The light switch came on |
| looking the part was. So like many young adults I | | | | when I heard the voice of Larry Burkett on the |
| accepted the job that offered me the most | | | | airwaves. Mr. Burkett was one of the founders of |
| money while purchasing the latest gadgets, | | | | Crown Ministries. He passed away July 4, 2003, |
| designer clothing, and must haves. Hence, racking | | | | but his teachings will live on within many others |
| up consumer debt with things I really could not | | | | and me. Suze Orman's tough and straightforward |
| afford. My weakness was cars. I decided to | | | | style put the "no excuse" motto in front of my |
| purchase one almost every year. I did this by | | | | "broke" mentality and I really got focused about |
| trading them in and carrying over the negative | | | | being a financially empowered women. I can name |
| equity to the new vehicle. Doing these | | | | many others that helped me see the light but the |
| transactions was a form of financial rush in | | | | two I mentioned were my first mentors and |
| roulette in which I later learned a valuable lesson. | | | | teachers. |
| But one of my ultimate car sins happened when I | | | | Luckily in my quest to be financially fit, I was able |
| upgrading into a luxury vehicle by going into a | | | | to brake the cycle as well as reach some of my |
| lease agreement. | | | | core goals by finding security in my first home |
| It was not until I got tired of not having money | | | | purchase, doing what I am passionate about with |
| after just getting paid or moving from apartment | | | | writing and teaching others about financial literacy, |
| to apartment because I did not like the area or | | | | saving, and giving money towards the things that |
| my neighbors that I realized I was doing | | | | I believe in. Throughout my journey I have |
| something terribly wrong. I started looking around | | | | learned that buying things that only decrease in |
| for answers and examples of the things that I | | | | value or that looks flashy in most cases are really |
| TRULY wanted out of life. I call these things my | | | | not worth the money. Find out what TRUE wealth |
| core goals. | | | | means and start by educating yourself about |
| I knew I wanted stability, which for me meant a | | | | money, it's never to late! |