Tag Archives: finances

#getyourpraiseon


I think this is long overdue, but tonight finally sealed the notion in my head. Regularly we take for granted what we have without realizing how absolutely incredible it may be. Personally, if you haven’t gathered lately, I’ve been a rolling ball of stress who gets sick, doesn’t have answers, and struggles with the day-to-day.

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Enter my girlfriend. Not only has she taken care of me for the past several days of being under the weather [the third time since we've been together mind you], but she’s been pushing me [beyond the concept of a juicing concept]. She’s recently been assisting me on the budgeting aspect of my life. In the past, as noted; I’m not the best at finances and it has been a constant flaw in my makeup. My girlfriend has taken hold of that and has decided to push me in the right direction. Today we sat down and looked at a new macro budgeting guide built on an Excel platform. While it is daunting, annoying, and relatively close to everything I hate; I’m grateful.

Why?

Because the effort being put into me. She is investing in me. She knows my struggles, and loves me regardless. She isn’t trying to change me; she’s merely helping me grow in an area that I’m weak at, and she’s strong at.

This is something new for me.

For that I am blessed.

-D-


Mobile Minutes: Beaten and Bruised


Today just gets to rank as “one of those days”.

From the moment that I was awake at 5:30 AM CST, to leaving the apartment without coffee, from driving four hours to a meeting, to waiting outside of the meeting for an hour. From listening to a meeting, wondering why I was there, to having my pay deducted [for good reasons], to leaving an hour late; forgetting my laptop and all my work gear down south, to winding up at my own meeting an hour late.

I’m worn out, I’m well traveled, and at the moment; I’m discouraged.

Throw in a girlfriend, who also had a rather crummy day, and truthfully; currently I’m just not in the best of moods.

I mean, the meeting with my staff with the Kansas City Shock was excellent; as is expected. So much was done [including actually seeing the designs for the 2013 kits], and a ton of laughing took place [I do consider this a success]. However, my other job; it was discouraging. I was reminded of my foolish, immature mistakes, and at the same time; knowing that there isn’t much space for advancement in that company. I’m kind of tapped out.

I love that job, I love being in the stores, I love working with the owners. I completely understand and will express to anyone that the life I have now, would not have been possible had it not been for a few who were willing to take a chance on me in that office. I owe them..a…lot.

However, it’s evident that this position, this job, it isn’t me; realistically, it isn’t my passion.

Talking to a restaurant owner tonight about sponsorship availability [and nailing it!], that’s my passion. Seeing our head coach take a box of shirts to her high school to sell to her students; that thrills me to no end. Seeing the growth of soccer, women’s soccer, Shock soccer; sorry everyone that isn’t a hobby, that’s a passion.

I wish I could type more tonight, but realistically; tonight is a night that the light needs to turn off, the music turned down, and I just need a restart.

Here’s to a better tomorrow.

-D-


Mobile Minutes: #dineinchallenge


After I got back from my trip; I got a text from my girlfriend. She wanted to start a good, budget friendly challenge between the two of us. It was crazy enough that I’m inviting you to join!

Here’s the deal:

We spend way too much money on fast food and eating out. It’s stupid. So, we’re trying to cut back and be a smart couple financially and physically [fast food is so bad versus home cooked...most of the time]. We came up with the #dineinchallenge [hashtag because it runs on Twitter]. The rules are simple; no dining out Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday it’d be wise not to, but no penalty. However, there is a penalty for dining out Monday through Friday. My girlfriend tried to come up with the one thing she hated more then anything when working out, and I do believe she found common ground for both of us.

Each time you dine-out=75 push-ups.

Sorry, but for me; that’s disgusting. I hate push-ups, almost as much as she does.

We’re even talking about implimenting rules that will allow another person to decide when you start doing your push-ups [randomly shopping in a mall, Sunday School, walking to the post office, etc...]. We’re fine tuning that one.

However, both of us thought it’d be great to invite all our lovely readers to try it out with us. Be sure to check her out at her site [that we're working on motivating her to follow through with].

Good luck and be sure to use the hashtag #dineinchallenge on Twitter!

P.S. She already owes 75 push-ups…hehe…


Mobile Minutes: LA Part VII


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I’ll admit there are two things I’m not a fan of in Los Angeles.

One I suspected: Everything is overpriced! $10 for three pancakes? Seriously? My Iced Mocha was $4.50, about the price of a gallon of gas. Ouch.

One that surprised me: The coffee. I assumed that there would be home town shops everywhere, similar to Seattle. Nope. Not that I’m upset, but Starbucks dominates this city.

Regardless, I found the best I could this morning.

Cheers.

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-D-


#getyourpraiseon


I hate spending large volumes of money, but this is an exception:

Check written.
Documents signed.
Keys handed over.
Apartment is mine!

He is so, so good.

-D-


Mobile Minutes: Early Night


I’m in bed, relaxing, getting ready to sleep.

A bit early in comparison to the past several nights. I’m getting my rest, because aside from some morning paperwork, tomorrow I put down the first months rent, the rest of the deposit, and my Labor Day weekend begins [most notably 'Labor'], as I’ll be taking Friday and Saturday [Sunday, dependent on the risk of rain] to move all of my stuff into my apartment [thankfully most of it hasn't been touched since it was stored this time last year]. On the side, I’ll be taking in a soccer tournament at the local university.

I’m nervous, I still have so much to do. Of course, I’m always crunching numbers; making sure financially this is going to work.

Sink or swim time…

I’m diving in.

-D-


Mobile Minutes: Apartments


Simply this.

I ask for some prayers.

I mailed off an apartment application yesterday.

I’m struggling with fear.

  • Credit Score
  • Down Payment
  • First Month’s Rent
  • Moving
  • Sustaining Myself

Just to name a few. While I’m not fearful of getting away from MC and Jim, and technically it’d only be twenty miles north; I am absolutely horrified of screwing up like last time. I’m petrified of screwing up paperwork and money. With down payments and first month’s rent factored into the student loans; I’m really, really struggling to find a way to make it all work.

I’m just scared.

I’m frightened about repeating the past.

I just want to get it right [so some people in the digital world can get off my back for a change], and I want to honor God with obedience and showing Him that I have learned from the past.

Consider this, a simple prayer request.

-D-


Mobile Minutes: Fault


Paul once talked about having a thorn in his side, agony, focus, and God blended together.
I have found my thorn: college debt.
I’m so burnt out. Period. I’m tired of hearing, “You need to relax”, “You need to stop working as much”, or “Stop stressing”.
Do you have $1300 worth of college payments…per month? Do you need to get out of your parents house? Do you need to NOT screw up a relationship, especially on a financial level?
I don’t sleep because I’m crunching numbers, moving decimals, and thinking of those kids I graduated with; how nice for them to have no debt.
Sure God is teaching me something. He always does. I’m just straight up sad and disheartened that I feel like I’m busting it 24/7, but it just won’t go away.
The thorn won’t go away…


#getyourpraiseon


It’s tight…

Not super tight, but pretty tight.

My budget is pretty tight.

However…the reason that this is a well deserved #getyourpraiseon?

I’M AHEAD OF SCHEDULE ON ALL MY BILLS BEING PAID! I HAVEN’T JUST BEEN PROVIDED WITH THE FUNDS FOR GUATEMALA, AND TO PAY MY BILLS, BUT TO ACTUALLY GET AHEAD!!!!!!!

For the sojourners who have been with me from Day 1, you know how big of a deal this is!

He is so, so good!

-D-


#getyourpraiseon


As I’m stepping into my car this morning, head still half asleep; I saw a piece of paper taped to my dash board.
After peeling it off and sitting down I took a closer look at it.
A check written out for my upcoming trip to Guatemala.
How blessed I am to see God work in other people.
How blessed they should be for their dedication towards such an amazing opportunity.
To those who read, give, and entertain my random whims: THANK YOU!


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