Gucci, Gucci, Fendi, Prada...

When your life is in order, everything has a new outlook. You should be mentally, physically and financially well to reach your success goals. My mental and physical bodies have gone through major overhauls which has forced me look at the one area I've neglected over the years....finances. I've been financially irresponsible since college. I've been working since I was a teenager. I started out babysitting and by the time I was 15 I had my first real job at Peeble's at Tryon Mall. (Native Charlotteans stand up!) I enjoyed working and throughout my work life I've been known to have up to 3.5 jobs at one time. 3.5 because I actually had 4 but realized that was just plain ridiculous! I've always worked not with the mindset of saving but with the mindset of just having enough to buy what I wanted or go where I wanted. By the time I left college my credit was ruined. I was bamboozled into the "it's only $10 a month for your bill." Me and mom never really discussed finances or credit prior to that so I didn't understand the impact it would have on me later in life....and I never understood, until now. My mother over the years struggled as well and I'm not quite sure when it finally clicked for her but having 2 kids I'm sure it didn't take her as long as me. LOL. Up until 3 years ago, I was a LABEL WHORE! Yeah, I said it. I craved Gucci, Fendi, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari.....and it was almost like getting a fix. I even put a Gucci bag on layaway one time. (I know what you're thinking....GUCCI? layaway? Where??) Well, when you live outside your means you'll find ways to feed your addiction. There was a store in Southpark Mall called Bob Ellis.....I found out from a friend who also apparently couldn't afford it, that the store offered layaway. It felt good to be seen with that new new until about 2 months after it wasn't new new anymore and then the addiction continues.... So I worked hard not for my 401K, not for life insurance but to make the legacies of Gucci, Fendi and Prada live on. Now at 41, what's my legacy? Bad credit, no 401K and the fear that my mom will be financially responsible for me if anything happens to me. Well, not on my watch!! I've lost over 100 lbs in the past year and a half and I'm a depression survivor....surely I can get my life when it comes to the "almighty dollar." But I know I need help. I got therapy when I was depressed, I got a trainer to help me lose weight so I've enlisted a financial coach to get me financially fit. Marsha Barnes is in the process of developing a non profit financial literacy program. She's the first person that EVER made me take a realistic look at finances. My mama tried, God know she did but I guess I wasn't ready. But now I am and I asked Marsha to help me. (YES....I ASKED FOR HELP!) This means I have to be open and honest, not just with her, but with myself. So, for the first time ever I'm keeping track of every single cent I spend for an entire month. It's been enlightening already and it's only day 3. I'm thankful for what's about to happen! Here's the bright side to the fact that I won't be able to purchase any more labels....they are timeless. So when you see me rockin' my Gucci, Tiffany and Louis Vuitton....it's my old stuff and a reminder that all that glitters is not gold. Unless its actually gold bars....in a vault. ;) What will you do today to change your life?
You can reach me on Facebook or Google +: Tinesha Matthews
Instagram and twitter: @roc_star