believe in yourself

Saving vs. “Living Life”

“Don’t save what is left after spending; spend what is left after saving.”
Warren Buffet

With social media at our fingertips 24/7, it’s easy to get caught up in the lives others are living (or pretending to live). With that, there’s been a shift in the mindset of young adults from saving their money to spending it as soon as they can, or “living life”.

“Well what’s the point of working if I can’t spend the money I make?”

If you’re asking this question, you have the wrong idea of the purpose of saving. For me, there are two main reasons to save:

To have a rainy day fund – you’re on your way to work and your tire pops; the washer in your house starts leaking; you’re playing your favorite sport and break a tooth or leg – things happen when we least expect it. The best way to combat these situations is to be prepared as best you can by saving your money ahead of time. Otherwise you’ll be left scrambling, stressed, and broke.
To spend on things I truly want – you’ve been so busy “living life” – buying new clothes every week and eating out at fancy restaurants (that are out of your budget) everyday, that when it comes time for that big purchase of something you truly do want, you don’t have the money to get it. Think twice about the smaller purchases you’re frequently making because that money could be saved towards a larger and more desirable purchase in the future like a trip to a new place, an opportunity to see your favorite singer, etc.

The truth is, you don’t have to choose between saving your money and “living life”.

Instead, choose between being responsible and irresponsible with your finances. It is possible to be responsible with your finances, save your hard earned money, and also live life by spending it occasionally on the things you really want. It’s time to quick holding yourself back by thinking for the now instead of the future. It’s true, tomorrow isn’t promised; but just in case it comes, it’s better to plan for living it as well.

I’m always working to be a better version of myself and hope my tips can help you on your journey. I’d love to hear back from you – comment below!

Reading is Power, or Did You Forget?

“Reading is a way to expand your mind, open your eyes, and fill up your heart.”
Oprah Winfrey

As kids, we’re taught to read for fun. As teens, we’re taught to read for answers. In college, we pay extra for notes – and barely read those. Along the way, we forget how important reading is for our minds and our progress in life.

Reading allows you to strengthen your mind’s ability to focus and interpret words. It allows you to see life and new experiences from a different perspective. Reading gives you information that can be used to spark conversation at home, with friends, and even in the workplace. It’s a power tool, and while young millennials spend an hour scrolling through posts that don’t teach them anything, the wealthy are reading for hours a day to grow their minds and their pockets.

Don’t believe me? Google how often Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, or Barack Obama read! These are wealthy, successful individuals who constantly urge young adults to expand their mind in order to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others.

Try this: challenge yourself to pick up any book, or listen to an audiobook, of your interest and give yourself a deadline to have read it by. Hold yourself accountable by telling a friend, writing it in your journal, making it your screensaver – you get it. I guarantee you’ll have not only learned something new, you’ll feel accomplished in achieving your goal.

Quit holding yourself back – It doesn’t work unless you try!

I’m always working to be a better version of myself and hope my tips can help you on your journey. I’d love to hear back from you – comment below!

Moving to a New City: Tips for Success

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we would have roots instead of feet.”
Rachel Wolchin

Your first time moving to a new city can be intimidating. Aside from the more obvious concerns like living arrangements, there are other just-as-important factors that are often forgotten or ignored until it’s too late. Whether you’re just thinking about moving or in the process of making the change, here are few tips to help you successfully plan and transition to your new home:

▪ Living proximity to necessities – when apartment hunting, your primary concern will be proximity to your job; however, it’s just as important to consider your proximity to living necessities like grocery stores, pharmacies, and your favorite activities. If you neglect these aspects, you’ll end up spending more than you intend (or can afford) on food, delivery fees, and hygienic products. Aside from the financial burden, if you don’t consider the proximity to your favorite activities, it’ll be extremely easy to forget your reasons for moving in the first place which can ultimately lead to a feeling of regret or depression.

▪ Wardrobe essentials – with the chaos of moving, it’s easy to forget the seasonal changes you’ll face in the upcoming future. As a result, you’ll wait ‘till last minute to get the items you need – albeit a new coat, better shoes, or necessary bottoms – and miss out on the sales. Don’t be this person! In your planning stages of moving, when you’re budgeting your expenses, identify the seasons you’ll experience, research peak shopping times for that season, and set aside money to spend on an appropriate wardrobe if you don’t already own it.

▪ Meeting new people – the level of difficulty associated with making new & lasting connections depends on your personality, for some it’s effortless and for others it’s exhausting. The good news is that with the level of technology in our society and the increasing desire to grow and relate as whole, networking is easier than ever. Use the internet to find events you’d be interested in and use those events to meet individuals you would otherwise not meet on the way home from work who share similar interests as you. When moving to a new city it is essential to expose yourself to a variety of activities and networking events to build a community of people you can feel comfortable around.

There’s a lot that goes into moving to a new city, and frankly it would be impossible to dissect it all in a post; but hopefully these tips can provide an additional level of guidance when embarking on a new journey. What’s important to takeaway is this – do your research, save as much as you can for unexpected expenses (because they will happen!), and don’t feel discouraged by the hardships you’ll face as they can only make you stronger.

I’m always working to be a better version of myself and hope my tips can help you on your journey. I’d love to hear back from you – comment below!

The Power of Affirmations: Choosing Confidence

“One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
Dalai Lama

Confidence – a concept rarely spoken of as a choice and often spoken of as a “either ya’ got it or ya’ don’t” trait. The truth is that confidence lies within each and every one of us; and it’s up to us to decide whether we want to allow it to help mold us.

“If it’s such an easy choice, then why aren’t more people confident in themselves?”

The answer is simple – consistent practice of affirmations.

Let’s face it, we live in a time of instant gratification– instant responses, instant media, instant food. But for those who are not given confidence from our environment (family, friends, society, etc.), learning to believe in yourself and be confident in the qualities you uniquely possess requires the consistent practice of affirmations. This means training yourself to rely on your own opinion instead of those around you. Don’t wait for a certain number of likes on a photo to decide whether you’re looking good or not. Don’t rely solely on the support around you (though you should always be grateful) to help talk you down when you’re overwhelmed with work and life and losing confidence in your abilities. Don’t decide what traits you like about yourself based on what your circle thinks. Instead, rely on yourself – yes, it’s possible!

How do you do this? Here are a few tips:

Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones – when you’re feeling down over your quality of work, stressed over deadlines, worried about falling behind in school and feeling hopeless, stop and take a deep breath. Remind yourself of the characteristics you love about yourself and how they’ll help you get your tasks done. Then segregate those tasks into manageable steps!

Make an affirmations list – keep a list of positive statements about yourself, either in your phone or journal (whatever you keep with you most of the time). When you’re feeling down immediately read this list and give yourself a reason why these statements are true. Examples of affirmations include listing the traits you’re proud of or noting your accomplishments that remind you of your capabilities.

Face yourself when speaking – it’s a lot easier to let your negative thoughts consume you when you’re not facing yourself so take a good look in the mirror every morning and remind yourself of your unique qualities and the immense opportunities that lie behind discovering that confidence.

The key is to be consistent. By constantly combatting your negative thoughts with positive and resourceful ones, you’re improving your state of mind – the most essential component to navigate through life. Over time, what used to be a conscious task will become effortless – giving you the realization that confidence is a choice and anything we strive for can be achieved with confidence, commitment, and consistency.

I’m always working to be a better version of myself & hope my tips can help you on your journey. I’d love to hear back from you on your thoughts/ journey – comment below!