I had a great time in Arizona although it wasn't as hot as I wanted it to be! It was great seeing my family and watching my son run around.

I spent entirely too much money in those 5 days. *le sigh* We went to the mall, I gave my neice $100 for graduation which I know was spent at the mall. I honestly wanted her to have fun with it and I did mention putting some in savings but I know that went out one ear. But I am pleased to annouce that she did pay for her summer courses herself and she paid in cash! way to go!

I am still waiting to hear back about the assistantships I applied for and looking for a job on campus. It would be a dip in income but it's a sacrifice I have to make if I am to finish grad school and move on to the ph.d.

I've become deeply disturbed by some of the comments left in the money forums re: a young single mom who says she has a difficult time feeding herself and her child on what she receives in food stamps each month.

Granted, I am currently working towards my masters in Sociology so I'm probably coming from this from a particular angle. I am also a Black woman. I am also a single mother. I've also received public assistance in the past. *just wanted to get that disclaimer out there*

A lot of the comments remind me of two books I've read recently. "Why Americans Hate Welfare", "When Welfare was White", and "Killing the Black Body". All three books talk about race and class in American society. And more importantly how mainstream society views Black women (unfit mothers, poor and uneducated) and how that translates when we read/see stories in the media about Black women.

A lot of the comments are darn near VERBATIM to the arguments made in those books. It's SCARY. And it hurts my heart to think that I am a part of a community that would say say such hurtful things about poor Black women. Stereotypes. They are dangerous but very much alive.

I need a break.

I have a dear friend who stresses me out.

She's in a lot of debt but isn't actively trying to pay it off. She works 2 jobs, one that I KNOW pays decently and another that is more of a part-time gig. But she never seems to have money to cover any of her payments. She has the mentality that if she can't pay what her creditors are asking she won't pay at all.

Tonight she tells me that one creditor has gone into her bank account 2x and caused her account to go negative. So instead of calling the bank and asking what her options are, she's on the phone re-counting the situation and complaining. Finally I call and explain HER situation to the rep and get some possible solutons for her.

I'm tired. I've recommended NUMEROUS options to her to help her get on track. But I think I'm done. I dont even know how to tell her to stop talking to me about her money problems.

I honestly believe that being a mother is a special gift not to be taken lightly.

My son is 16mos and every day I realize how he has made me a better and more responsible person. Every time he says "mama" and reaches for me my heart melts.

Yesterday I sent my mother to the spa and my son and I went to a luncheon. It was our first mother/son outing. I had fun and he had a nice LONG nap when we got home,lol.

Today we are going to brunch with some friends. It sucks that it's raining outside but hopefully it'll brighten up later on.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and those of us who mother to children we didn't give birth to.

In an effort save money I am moving to up north to live with my sister. I should have done this months ago. But the lightbulb finally stayed on when I realized that I truly cannot afford to live here and take care of my son on my own.

I'm not bummed by it, actually relieved. I've decided to be out of my apartment by Sept. 1st so I am trying to get rid of junk and sell as much furniture as I can. Today I sold a dresser for $35. Not bad considering I got it for free. I plan to sell my couch/love seat, one of my tvs, vcr, stereo and bookcase. We'll see how it goes. The other stuff I am going to freecycle or donate to various agencies.

As hot as it gets in Florida I guess this wouldn't be a bad idea!

by Tom Kubistant, Ed.D

1. The Law of Self Determination
-You become what you think about, if you improve the quality of your thinkng, you will improve the quality of your life.

2. The Law Dynamism
- There is no neutral gear: Either you are progressing or you are regressing. If you aren't actively choosing to be positve, you are actually choosing to be negative.

3. The Law of Belief
- Your beliefs define you realities. Focuse on that which you can control.

4. The Law of Attraction
-You are a living magnet. You attract that which you are. You also attract that which you need to beome.

5. The Law of Correspondence
- Your outer world is a mirror of your inner world - as within, so without. There are no crisies, only gifts and opportunities.

6. The Law of Prospiros
- Prosperity and spiritual awareness are intrinsically linked. Purity of purpose is both the beginning and the end. Ethics before economics: Do the right thing at the right time.

7. The Law of Action
- Whatever can be conceived and believed can be achieved. Do instead of try. Persistence is the hallmark of belief.

8. The Law of Work
- Do what you love, and the money will follow. Every task is a test of your character. Going the extra distance is the only shortcut to success.

9. The Law of Service
- The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Giving something back is putting it back there for others. Service is the essence of humanity.

10. The Law of Accumulation
- Little things build up to become big things. Everything you do counts. How you do everything matters.

While I have somethings that I do every day...I've never written them out. I wonder if it would help?

I am really bad when it comes to taking care of my clothes. My laundry room has turned into a closet of sorts, clothes are still in the dryer...overflowing in the hamper...it's not funny anymore. And I dont wanna get started on my closet. This makes finding clean,unwrinkled clothes to wear everyday an adventure. And I know it costs me money because I'm probably re-washing clean clothes. sigh.

So I got these tips from one of my favorite blogs "Frugal for Life"
How do you wash clothes less often?
- Hang up your work clothes right when you get home
- Air dry your clothes by an open window or hang outside
- Hang in the bathroom while you shower and get ready in the morning

One step at a time!

So I'm ready to being my training for West! WOO-HOO! I'm so excited...this is the perfect opportunity for me, as long as I can get my son in the bed around 8-9pm every night so I can have quiet to work the phones!

I'm so happy that tomorrow is a holiday, I have no plans really so we'll be in the house. Which is cool because I dont have much gas and dont get paid til Friday. I wanted to go see fireworks but its supposed to rain all this week and I dont wanna be caught in the rain with a baby in a crowd.

I have 2 letters to mail off to Experian and TransUnion for the duplicate Target listing. I really need to stop procrastinating and get my hardship letters out. I hate collection calls...and I hate even more that I can't pay anything right now. *sigh* But I know it wont always be like this. My situation is TEMPORARY!

So I finally got a credit report from all 3 bereaus, including my FICO scores and I want to cry. My scores are a LOT lower than I thought and I'm not sure where to begin. I know I can contest any incorrect information but other than that I'm not sure. *sigh*

I guess the good news is that my ING account is growing nicely,lol.

So I've been thinking about how am I gonna get this computer to begin my coursework this summer...

As I'm checking a listserv I belong to I see that someone is selling their computer, computer desk and a 3in1 printer for $150!!! WOO-HOO! I am going to take a look at it tonight, hoping that it does what I need it to do. She emailed the specs and it looks good.

On a sour note, my job does not provide waivers for online course...sigh..so now I have to come up with $1,800 to take 2 classes...

So after much procrastination I opened my ING account yesterday. I opened it with $250 to get the $25 bonus. *whew* I partly kept putting it off because I didn't have the money but then I realized that I got tired of hearing folks talk about it and I realized that I needed that money! lol. I think I will use that to hold on to my emergency fund.

Thanks for the suggestions on what to do with the money I recieved yesterday. I think I will put a percentage towards my emergency fund and the remainder towards the computer. I am going for a certificate in Human Resource Development (only requires 5 courses) and I have about 2 mos to get a computer. I am thinking of getting a refurbished

I also have decided to use my spending journal. I bought a notebook months ago and while I kept all my reciepts...I never entered any of them. So I am going to start with March 1st (no seriously,lol)

I have some more money coming in!
I bought my son 2 outfits from Walmart that I am going to return this week. They were $15 each and he really has no need for them, I just thought they were cute.
My friend is going to pay me her half for the tickets I got to see

I've decided to create this blog as a way to chronicle my desire to become debt free. I realize that its something that has created a great deal of stress in my life and I can't let it control me anymore. So here goes! Enjoy!