The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 51 & 52 Update)

Week 51 - June 27, 2014
Week 51 - July 04, 2014

Current Savings : $1378

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

I just made the last installment (deposit?) a couple of days ago. *Cue in the confetti, applause, and the celebratory music.*

Aaaahhhh!!! I am now $1378 richer!!! But not for long since I am probably going to use that money to pay down one my credit cards. :/

I may change my mind on what I will be doing with the money since I won't be touching it until this Friday, July 11. I want the last $52 to sit with the rest of the money for at least a week before I give it all away. :(

Now that this has ended, what have I learned?

1.) I am capable of saving. There were times that this was hard particularly towards the end when I was putting away about $200 a month. But I was able to somehow make my budget work, which brings me to...

2.) I am capable of budgeting. Or at least prioritizing and moving my money around to meet the financial goals for the month. This was actually very eye opening to see how much money I have (or do not have) for the fun stuff. I still have a lot to learn. Newbie, right here...

3.) I am capable of committing. So many jokes, but I am not going there. I started this project with the hubster and the siblings, but I am the only one who stuck through it. Props to me! I can commit and follow through!
Sidenote: I know I have been slacking on my photography project, Project 365, but after this I am once again motivated.
(In my defense, I have kept up with the picture taking... for the most part... I just got a little lazy posting them. But I promise I will. In fact, I give myself two weeks to be caught up in everything Project 365 related. There. Now that I blogged about it, I can't break that promise. LOL.)

4.) If I put my mind to it, I can achieve it. Because of the amount of debt I had acquired over the years, it seems like my goal of financial independence seems unattainable. But completing this project gives me hope. I know it will take time, and it won't always be easy or pleasant, but I know that I will get there...

...which is why I will probably be using this money towards paying down my debt. I know most people do this so that at the end they can use the money to splurge on something they really want (Hello, Chanel bag!), but the truth is I can't think of anything practical I want to use this on. Throughout this last year, I learned to be more practical when it comes to spending. So, no... I won't be going on a shopping spree with this money (or anytime soon).

I could put it in my savings account but I would rather use it towards my debt. Plus, now that I know that I have the discipline to put money aside for the sake of saving, I will be doing this on a regular basis. Actually, my sisters, friends and I are starting another one similar to this, so even though this particular project is ending, another one will be starting.

On that note, Good bye 52 Week Money Saving Challenge! It was a pleasure and I will miss you. Maybe I'll see you again in the future. :)

xx,
Pamela

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 49 & 50 Update)

Week 49 - June 13, 2014
Week 50 - June 20, 2014

Current Savings : $1275

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

Two more weeks... :)

xx,
Pamela

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 47 & 48 Update)

Week 47 - May 30, 2014
Week 48 - June 06, 2014

Current Savings : $1176

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

One more month to go... Almost there. :)

xx,
Pamela

Phenomenal Woman

In honor of one of the greatest authors and poets, Dr. Maya Angelou (April 04, 1928 - May 28, 2014), I will post one of my favorite poems by her...

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,   

The stride of my step,   

The curl of my lips.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,   

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,   

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.   

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.   

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,   

And the flash of my teeth,   

The swing in my waist,   

And the joy in my feet.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,   

They say they still can’t see.   

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,   

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.   

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.   

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,   

The bend of my hair,   

the palm of my hand,   

The need for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.
 

Image courtesy of www.gandhiking.ning.com

Rest in peace Maya Angelou.

xx,

Pamela

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 45 & 46 Update)

Week 45 - May 16, 2014
Week 46 - May 23, 2014

Current Savings : $1081

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

I've been bad... real bad. I was in Illinois all last week and did not take a single photo for my "Photo of the Day" challenge. :/ I promise to make up for it. I plan on going to a park or something just to take a lot of pictures. Yes, a park, which means more photos of the trees! LOL.

xx,
Pamela