Hidden Blessings..

I was absolutely tired this morning when I got off work. So tired that my entire body ached. I knew I couldn't go to bed right away because my mechanic was enroute to fix something small on my truck( which by the way, after I watched him

I could've done the job myself). He was done by 9:30, I was in bed by 10am. My heart was in Decatur at my church but my body was aching and I was restless, literally. 

When I got in at 6:50, I grabbed some clothes and I showered. The particular pants I grabbed, I'd been looking for them for weeks. Not for any reason in particular, they just happen to be my fave Victoria Secret Pink sweat pants. I finished my much needed bath and proceeded to dry off and dress. 

Out of habit, I always stick my hands in my pockets after getting dressed. As I stick my hand in my pockets, I felt a roll. I instantly pulled it out and to MY surprised, there was $45 rolled up in my pocket. I tried to remember where the money could've come from and I kept drawing a blank. All I know, I haven't wore these particular pants in about 3 or 4 weeks. 

Anyhoo, I'll take the $45 for the win! Once again, God has looked out for the girl. This last month or so has been nothing but extreme wins for me! My heart is full and I'm extremely excited for what 37 is bringing my way.. 

My Lovies, surprises/ blessings come in all shApes and forms. Never be so caught up in your own situation that you miss your good thing/ blessings. What's even crazier, sometimes our blessing/ good thing is right up under our nose.. Stop sniffing other gardens and appreciate yours! I'm ready and winning!! I got next! 

Signed, 

Cheneka Wins!! 

5Tips...

It's now February, we're 2 months into 2016( my bday is in 14 days, oh my).. 

As I'm finally getting the swing of things, I've realized some of my previous habits have to stop. I'm quite sure that as you take inventory over spending habits, there's a few changes you can make. 

While we all my have different top 5's, here's my list and I'll explain WHY these are at the top. Starting with 

5) I will NOT waste money on icecream. If you have little ppl and you frequent Wendy's, invest in their key tab for frosty's. If you pay $1.00( once) each time you purchase a meal, you can get a free small frosty. Yup, I will not waste money on icecream again. 

4) I will NOT waste money on shaving cream. But I will still shave! Lol Here's my secret. I'm picky with the soap I use. Instead of buying shave cream, I have no problem with lathering up soap and rubbing it on the areas that need to be shaved ( however ladies, still invest in shaving your "pocketbook", that's a different kind of maintenance 😉). 

3) I will NOT waste money on fast food. At the beginning of every year, my eating habits are visited. It's not so much about me losing weight, I just want to remain healthy and conscious. I've realized that my meals I cook at home are much healthier and they cost less. Remember, everything used in your home is healthier than the processed foods in restaurants. 

2) I will NOT waste money spending top dollar for high end handbags. I remember my 1st Gucci bag purchase like it was yesterday. I'd been eyeing this bag for a year. I knew spending $695 was well out of my price range. But I wanted the bag so bad. I kept watching it and watching it. One day while out shopping with my highschool bestie, we stopped in the Gucci store. I almost lost my life, the bag was marked down to $319.00. Needless to say I purchased it. 15 years later, I no longer have it because I sold it at the local consignment shop which has now become my best friend. I can now purchase slightly used high end handbags for a fraction of the price. 

And lastly, I will stop making spur of the moment purchases without fully thinking it through. If I have to rob Peter to satisfy Nek's urge, it's not worth it. 

We're 6 weeks into the new year and I'm 6 weeks into my weekly savings. This year, I will complete the full year of savings. There's quite a few things on my calendar to purchase and complete this year. I need to have my funds in order to make it happen. 

My Lovies, I'm challenging you to be the captain of your savings and make it happen. 

Signed, 

Simply Saving Cheneka 

Coins...

Saturday's are extremely busy.. But the rain rescued me from a bunch of driving. Football for my son was canceled( YES) and because my body cannot sleep past 6am even on the weekends; I got up cleaned and did laundry. Since I had a number of towels and comforters, a trip to the wash house was much needed. 

To my surprise, it was extremely crowded this morning. There were women everywhere. I later talked with the owner( he's a VET) and he explained 2 Saturday's a month he caters to one of the local 1/2 way homes for women. That definitely made me smile. 

As I put my clothes into the dryer, there were 2 women to my left talking. The shorter one said, " I put my last 3 quarters into this dryer, my fingers are crossed that everything dries". I politely asked, " do you need more quarters"? She responded, " No ma'am but thanks". I continued adding clothes to the dryer. What I then heard turned my stomach in the worst way. The taller woman then said, " I have to school you younger ones. When someone asks if you want extra money, if you need it or not you better say yes". I wanted to walk back over there and say something but I chose the high road. 

Every year, my women's org: Women Who Network, give back to the less fortunate children, women and men of Atlanta. We provide toiletries, homemade soup, sandwiches, fruit, water, chewy bars and a warm blanket. Yes we receive donations but for the most part, we fund this event solely on our own. Am I complaining? NEVER! But when a person would chose to try and swindle me out of a few extra coins, it makes me question their actions. 

I know, I know. Everyone is faced with some type of hardship. But sometimes, God disperses his angels on our behalf. Never ever block your blessing out of greed, God sees all!! 

I was hot earlier but now I'm feeling much better about it!! Im thankful that my 7th sense( Queen of Nosey: don't judge me) kicked in!! Lol

Signed, 

I need ALL my Coins 

Ohhh Friday

There was a time when midnight, 12am Friday my weekend was planned based off what was available in my bank account. And don't let it be a week where over-time was earned and deposited or the Union won a settlement for my department. 

What a difference a new environment, atmosphere and position in life can bring. I was working for the City of Boston and anyone who works or has previously worked a City/ State or Government job; you know the benefits and pay are quite well. 

Today, I'm no longer prompted to call and check my direct deposit because I now work for myself. The rewards are daily and it's not ALL monetarily based. I've obtained a true since of Peace with what I do. I no longer have to weigh the options of working overtime or spending time with my family. The best part is, I'm MY own BOSS!! Yes, I'm a Boss!! 

Today, cash does NOT rule everything around you. Yes we need it to survive but killing ourselves to have it and you're not appreciating it is a waste of Your time and Your energy.

Let today, this FRIDAY be your best Friday yet!! Money is good but it can cause us to do crazy things when we don't have enough. Save for a rainy day but in the meantime, after home is taken care of take care of yourself just a little and that my friend is a reward you deserve.... 

Oh Friday..... What will you bring me today?!!

Signed,

imHappy

imFree

money does NOT rule ME 

If only for a Moment...

This morning I woke up feeling just like a " bag of money". What it truly means I'll never know ( I have lame girl tendacies), however I woke up feeling great. Prayed and started my morning. Washed my face, brushed my teeth and got my daughter up for school. 

Proceeded with the morning and because she was running late and I was feeling good, I dropped her off at school. I smiled at the other cars driving thru the drop- off line and wondered if they were feeling like " a bag of money" like me.  Lol

I arrived back home and continued feeling happy until.....

I started checking on my sister girls and they had so many things going on with them. My heart began to sank and some revealed they were in their feelings, 2 felt discouraged and one dealing with serious family issues. Ahhhhhhh, the woes of life. And it never stops. There's 24 hours in a day and if you're anything like me, you go thru the day attending to everyone else's needs and not your own. 

My challenge for you is simple: if only for a moment find a reason that fills you with laughter, joy, happiness and smiles. Take a few moments and make them yours. Heck, think about that " bag of money" and how you would spend it... 

.... Tithes, shoes, new vehicle, vacation, a house, yup you get it!! Just to name a few. 

Don't worry about tomorrow, for it is not here. Use today and focus on what can be done to bring YOU happiness. 

I'm sure there's a rap or phrase that goes with a " bag of money" but in the meantime, if only for a moment I'm going to live like I got it!!

Signed, 

Cheer Up, put a Smile on your face!! 

Cant win if you don't PLAY~~~

Don't front, you know you're going to play! Shoot, I just did!!! LOL They say you can't win if you don't play so why not?? I mean, why not join in the hoopla and just imagine for a little while??

The thought of having all that money is just mind boggling. Like really, after you've purchased everything you want, what would be left to buy?After you've paid your tithes( yup, dReam Center would definitely have a come up), purchased a new home, new cars, things for your family, what would you do??

My children would NEVER have to want for anything and ALL of them would have trust funds set aside. Life as we know it wouldn't change drastically but it would definitely be different. KISS, my business would still be thee most important thing to me and we would definitely have the funding to take it to the next step. I'd go back to school and probably become a Professional Student...LOL, no seriously!

Aside from taking care of my immediate family; Personally, I'd be on a mission to help every displaced person I know. It's always been a goal of mine to have a Life Center for Youth & Families. A place where kids can have fun and if their parents need assistance with job placement, resume' writing, access to a computer etc, they could find it at "The Spot" ( as I would call it). A place where women can freely talk and build life long friendships and bridges to success. It's one thing to say it but it's another to mean it with everything in your being.  I'm so glad that Georgia opened it's wide arms and welcomed me home.

Who's to say the right or wrong way to use your money?? I just know that "IF" I won, I definitely would not change. I already have a generous heart, so it would be second nature to just continue doing what I do. HOWEVER, if you haven't been eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with me, haven;t been with me on this journey to loose weight and if you haven't been in my corner all the time, then hmmmmmmmm figure it out!!

LOL

*disclaimer, Don't get mad when I win. Go spend your $1 and close your eyes and dream too!!!

Its in the Ground...

Because of my deeply rooted Christian beliefs, I tend to look for the hand of Jesus upon everything. I mean, shouldn't we? He IS the creator of EVERYTHING, right?.. Another blog for another day.

The Sunday before we departed was Super Sunday at my church. It was the Sunday where we bought an offering above and beyond what we normally give. It was our natural way of planting our spiritual seed... A Seed: To furnish with something that causes or stimulates growth or development( Merriam Webster, transitive verb).. My seed is NOW in the ground and I patiently await God's hand to move on my behalf! Oh YES, I believe..

As my mommy/friends and I walked the grounds we noticed "seeds" all over the place. Although water does not fertilize the seed, it surely helps to stimulate and promote GROWTH. I'm sure as people threw their change to make a WISH, they never thought of the spiritual aspect of it but the three of us surely did.

Our conversations soon turned to how it's hard for us to back each other as a people and help each other get to the top. We are so quick to spend vs investing and generating more revenue for a rainy day. As we caught the ferry over, there were "seeds"( change) in the waters, as we got on numerous rides, there were "seeds" planted all around and even if you looked hard enough, pennies were thrown every where...

Hmmmm, I thought.. I need to leave a "Seed" in the grounds of Disney. This is one of the most successful places in the WORLD. I believe if you invest in someone else's dream, you're investing in their success and yours too. I'm a small business owner right now but as I continue to help others, I'm making room for mine too. The family of Mr. Walt, will live off these riches of the LAND for days, months, years, decades and centuries. His kids, kids,kids,kids will live comfortable all because of a small seed that was placed in the ground.

I challenge each person who may read this blog to sow a seed. It doesn't have to always be monetarily but sow of your TIME, your SKILLS, your HANDS. You just never know what the outcome will be.

And once you make that initial investment, don't look for a reward right away, it takes time. But let the ground fertilize it, because in due time you will reap a bountiful harvest IF you faint not..

My Seed is in the ground and it's making room for me and Mine~