Tag Archives: money

I Was Running Fast …But Debt Was On My Heels.

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Hello Y’all! I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. It’s July Fourth!! To all Americans and lovers of the United States across the globe, I say Happy Independence Day! It is such a busy day, and I wanted to make sure I had this post out before heading to the fanfare. By the way, all diets are off, so no, I will not be counting ANY calories today.

The weather is quite warm today, but I wouldn’t say we are on hell’s front porch, so if you are out in the sun, please stay in the shade and remember to hydrate. I was thinking this topic didn’t seem right for today, given the celebrations, but honestly, Starr readers are all over the globe, so it’s ok. If you are an adult or a parent, or just someone responsible for their upkeep, you know a thing or two about debt. It is a silent topic that most people do not like to speak about, and it is often a major contributor to the stress we carry at certain periods of our lives. This post shares my experience with many who may not have a safe listening ear. We have ALL been there, irrespective of the scale or amount of our debt, and my hope is that this post will not only be useful to you but give you the courage, wherever you are in your journey, to do better and eventually be debt-free.

How Do We Get Into Debt?

I would say life happens! But the reason we get into debt is attributed to expected and unexpected life changes. This could be anything from college tuition, marriage, purchasing a home, a new car, health factors, OR wanting something that you may not be able to afford in the moment. And it can go downhill from there. I’m not necessarily worried about how a person gets into debt. The main focus is understanding why, how to get out, and how to stay out of debt.

Good Debt Vs Bad Debt: This is a whole other post for another day. But this goes into being able to identify one from the other and leverage one’s credit rating or good standing to be able to successfully borrow money from financial institutions for personal and business reasons.

There Is A Way Out!

Talking About It: This is the first step for a person wanting to be debt-free. Speaking about it is the first step because if you can articulate what is going on, then this is the first step to figuring out the next step to tackle it.

Be Wary of Microwage Solutions: If you Google online, you will find a 1001 solutions to get out of debt. These are marathon programs, which I liken to boot camps that get you in an assembly line solution process that often do not address the underlying root cause as to why an individual or family is in debt. Debt freedom is not a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all process because everyone is different and so are their lifestyles. I have heard testaments of many who joined such programs, got out of debt, and fell right back into debt before they knew it.

Deal with and Address Emotional Issues: How a person grows up affects their life outlook much more than we realize. Identifying if we have contentment issues, insecurity issues, or a ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’ mentality goes a long way to addressing the root cause.

Freedom is Possible!

Stick to the plan. When you find a program that works for you, stick to it diligently.

Be willing to sacrifice momentary pleasure for future gain. Keep your eyes on the ball.

Understand that being debt-free is a lifestyle. In a culture that says ‘You Only Live Once’ aka YOLO, it’s up to you to decide what that means for you on your path to maintaining a debt-free lifestyle.

Celebrate small wins. When you hit a milestone, whether it’s paying off a loan or card, celebrate it because it means you are getting closer to your goal.

Debt is nothing to be ashamed of once you find yourself in it. It, however, should be a teachable moment in one’s life and should give us a turning point to examine where we are and where we would want to be in the future. No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes. Financial education is a necessity that should be taught early; however, not many individuals are or were fortunate enough to have parents or guardians with a path that could be emulated. Nevertheless, it is not too late to begin, and it is never too late to learn new things.

Folks, until I come your way again, I wish you well wherever you are on your journey. Feel free to like, comment, and follow for more. I remain

Periwinkle Starr

Diva on a Budget!

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Hey Y’all! Writing all the way from North Texas. Fall is finally and officially here, and I dare say that we can now begin swapping out our Summer gear for Wintry layers. It’s been a busy Summer, and I feel it’s going to get even busier when the holiday festivities begin rolling by. This post, I feel, is very crucial not just because of the economic climate we’re in at the moment, especially with the shutdown, but it is vital for us girlies and even gents as another tool in our bag of golden nuggets to be smart with our hard-earned currency. Fashion is forever evolving, and being able to stay current but within budget is the key.

As a Diva on a budget, the goal is to get the most bang for your buck, and that includes maximizing savings on certain items so we can invest in other items. So if you’re home or out and about, find a comfortable chair, grab a drink or snack, and let’s dive in. If you’re new to Periwinkle Starr, you’re most welcome. Please like, comment, and follow to stay up to date with me whenever I post a new blog.

Now, we all love deals and quality at the same time, and sometimes you literally have to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’ just to get by. But what if I tell you that there is a better way around it, because I have a few options that I’m going to share with you today. These options will help you save on costs in certain areas and free up some cash to invest in other areas.

Facials at Home. Being busy and on the go, it’s not uncommon to opt for facials at spas because I didn’t have the time. But I got wiser and shopped around until I found an at-home facial kit, which has saved on costs ever since. I haven’t looked back, and I don’t have to worry about scheduling appointments or getting a particular esthetician for an appointment. P.S.: If certain procedures require a registered esthetician, then the goal is to find discounts or bundles to keep costs down.

Home facials give you the luxury of time to relax and just enjoy it.

Do Your Own Manicures & Pedicures. I know, I know, this is what some of us term our me-time. But getting these done as often as once every three weeks or once a month or every couple of months adds up over time. Learning to do your own manis and pedis saves you money that can be used for other ventures.

Learning to do your own nails is a great way to save on cost!

Opt for Ombre Brows Instead. Many women spend time and money getting their eyebrows waxed or threaded every two weeks. A better and more cost-effective option is to opt for ombre brows, which are a temporary tattoo outline that lasts anywhere from 2 to 6 years with very low maintenance on your part. You wake up looking ready to go, even without makeup.

Skincare & Accessories. Not sacrificing quality for quantity, I tend to buy items when there are deals. Always on the lookout for discounts and coupons to lower costs, but also buying in bulk is cheaper long-term. With savings from the above-mentioned items, it leaves more room to invest in great products that not only nourish our skin but also protect it from all the undesirables.

Clothing & Quality Pieces. If you love fashion but are on a budget, you know there are ways to shop where you can learn to scour the world wide web for affordable designers, keep abreast of upcoming or ongoing sales, and not being afraid to spend time searching until you find what you want at the right price. And yes, to always be on the lookout for a good deal. Now, certain items are keepsakes, and splurging on those is considered by some to be an investment, which is also a great idea.

Shopping for the right pieces takes time…..so don’t rush it.

Don’t Waste. I try to use up products that I’ve purchased in the past and throw out items that are expired. The goal is to reduce waste. Also, reselling items that I don’t plan to use or regifting them are ways to be a good steward.

Folks, you can be fabulous and on a budget without breaking the bank or going into debt. The key is finding ways to be creative, most especially with us ladies who need our beauty regimens to maintain ourselves. Feel free to share your tips on how you stay fabulous on a budget. Your comments are always appreciated. Until I come your merry way again, have a great week ahead, stay warm, and be kind!

Periwinkle Starr