Slowly But Surely
debt free takes time, don’t give up.
Top Notch Bank
fashion + finance
Tag: Love
March 22, 2016
Root Of All Evil
If I had to chose one word to describe my early 20’s, insecure would be it. Graduating college, realizing money doesn’t grow on trees and learning that credit cards need to be paid off (and with interest too!?!) all fueled this feeling. By 23, the insecurity turned into extreme anxiety. How did I deal with this? By binge…eating and shopping. I opened up more credit cards, spent more and lived well above my means.
Running away from your problems is a funny thing. You keep running (in my case spending) and instead of reaching happiness, you are greeted with a null/empty feeling. So you think “well if i have this purse that will make me happy, and if i eat out at this restaurant that will make me feel lavish, and if i buy my friends free tickets to concerts they will like me.” But the fact is, it’s an endless circle of “will make me” this and that.
I paid off the first credit card I ever opened yesterday, $1,300. Never has “spending” money felt so good. But there is doubt and insecurity rooted in the back of my head. Yes, I’m attempting to ignore them but I keep thinking: “OMG I can’t believe I did this, Can I do this? F Yes I can, But can I? Oooohhh Gucci”
In our quest to be financial independent it is VITAL to shut insecurity down. Sounds easier said than done, right? Well not if you shift your mindset. You have to focus on temporary aspects, i.e.: this too shall pass. Do this by keeping an insecurity diary, write down every negative thought and then counteract it with a plan (goal diary). Take a bubble bath, meditate, go for a long run. Do anything that makes you relax (and is FREE!). You are worthy of taking control of your finances. Take one day at a time and soon your insecurity will turn into security!
March 16, 2016
Preach
don’t forget.
March 7, 2016
Monday Motivation
card 1 of 4 is paid off!
**you know how i’m celebrating? by focusing on paying off card 2!**
March 3, 2016
The Struggle
two days ago i posted this post about a cute pair of espadrilles i was crushing on. and it’s been following me around ever since. this snapshot was taken this morning.
sponsored ads are the worst thing ever when you are trying to be fiscally responsible. UGH. stay strong out there!
March 1, 2016
March Goals
March, one of my favorite months out of the year. Why? Well when you live in South Florida it means gorgeous weather in perfect temps (high 70s) and relatively low humidity. Add that to time springing forward (hello longer days/more sunshine) and you’ve got a win win situation.
Spring’s arrival brings the perfect platform to do some cleaning, both physically and fiscally. Below are some of my top priorities for March:
- Reading: As an avid bookworm, my kindle is jammed with books I’ve downloaded but have never gotten around to. I am making it a point to read all these forgotten souls.
- Goal: Do not spend extra money on books.
- Read: 11/22/63, Blink, An Abundance of Katherine’s, Adventures of your Soul
- Food: Cooking is slowly becoming one of my favorite passions. However, I still get newbie anxiety with certain dishes (such as fish) and tend to stick to the same boring dishes I already know (pasta, zoodles, chicken).
- Goal: Do not spend money on takeout/anything with a delivery fee. Try new recipes.
- Try: Honey-ginger grilled salmon, cauliflower rice, gluten free banana bread, meatless Mondays
- Fitness: Avoid being tempted to spend extra money on Pilates and cycling classes.
- Goal: Speed walk at least two times a week. Continue yoga, bootcamp, barre routine.
- Try: Running without stopping for 10 minutes (i.e.: 1 mile)
- Budget: I spent part of my leap day meeting with a financial adviser at Charles Schwab. She was so helpful and offered to much insight regarding my debt situation.
- Goal: Pay off Capital One and Citicard credit cards ($2,728.00). Stop using credit cards, focus on using money I have (debit cards).
- Try: Freezing my credit cards…literally. This way if an emergency comes up, I have enough time to think things through while my cards defrost; Snowball effect.
- Shopping
- Goal: Store any coats, jackets, nice dresses to clear up space in my closet.
- Try: Shop inside my closet.
March 1, 2016
Monday Motivation
focus.
February 26, 2016
2. Thou Shalt NOT
go to brunch two times in one weekend. you’re not rich, don’t act like it!
apologies to my sunday brunch date for canceling on a whim. xoxo
February 22, 2016
Dreams Do Come True
after extensive research i have finally found a reliable recipe converter!! gone are the days of cooking for an invisible family of 5. cheers to recipes for 1 (max 2)!
okay, i’ll stop geeking out. visit my kitchen calculator if you are sick of leftovers!
February 18, 2016
Let’s Get Social
i joined insta! i have 6 followers and i’m pretty sure they are all bots. follow meeee! @topnotchbank
