KNOCK SOME SANITY BACK !!

I hate to admit that with all that Shoe debacle earlier today I was almost tempted to jump off the Money Sense wagon and run leg first into a shoe shop. Like weaning off any addiction, at the slightest tinge of distress all the emotional havoc of wanting a fix came flooding right back and all thoughts of not spending unnecessarily and without a budget was lost so I can feed my habit and try and reverse the trauma caused by the oil spillage on my beloved shoe. Its almsot now silly to realise the feelings we attach to somethings, when all they do is bankrupt not only the bank account but also our emotional banks.

By habit my first compulsive thought was " I need to replace my Shoe and I do not care less if I am late for work as long as my feet have been taken care of" I even started to feel better about an early morning shopping spree, thank God for my DD assets good sense stepped right back in and the addiction was quashed for that moment.

Call this funny or crazy but by some strange coincidence one of my favourite blog The Simple Dollar was sharing on the issue of "Emotional Fulfilment" and "Finacial Success". This was like an answer to my distress call for help!!

Its only starting to sound petty now, but in the morning the emotional tango that played over the shoe spillage was wild enough to send me spiralling down one slope I am strongly trying to climb back onto. I can honestly laugh at the absurdity of it all now. Some sanity was knocked right back and I am happy to empty out my emotional bank on receipts such as my good health, my family and knowing the faithful provisions of my heavenly father who at some of the most selfish times allows me once in a while to feed my spending addiction on some silly pair of shoes!!!!!!!!!

NEVER COME BETWEEN A WOMAN & HER SHOES

Major Strope I threw this morning as I was about to leave for work, not withstanding the horrible weather we are having on the English shores today I had to deal with a major disaster. Yes you may think it is only something material, something that can be replaced, its not the end of the world, or the world has bigger problems than me fretting over a shoe.

Well this is how it unfolded, here i was all dressed up suited and booted in my grey leather boots and all set to hit the pavement and face the challenges of not only the horrid weather but another long tedious day at the office. And what happens juggling a hot oven tray I accidentally tip oil and guess where this landed right on a pair of my cherished Boot. Well before you even utter it, and of course you thinking whose fault was it, at that point in time I did not care.

I am bearly managing not to keep looking at the spots, (tut tut) my heart is sore and i am almost tempted to chuck resolution #2 out the door and go and spill my guts over some poor Shoe Shop Assistant's shoulder...............................

DOUBLE D.............

I have been really excited about Resolution #2, my sole mantra this year will be Savings, Savings, Savings. Not having something to fall back on in terms of financial security can be such a stranglehold and I am trying to unknot myself whichever way I can out of this. I am gnawing at everything I can get my teeth stuck into to achieve my goal. I am realising that my means to this end will only be achieved by my Double D assets, not what your depraved mind might be thinking but my Drive and Discipline.

I hate to admit but I am one of those people who find themselves buying into lifestyle gadgets for no necessary reason than the fact that it happens to be the latest accessory to hit the headlines. Take for example my Blackberry I have had for just over a year and I pay extra charges outside of the standard tariff. I never have any pressing need to receive my emails long enough for me to get to my PC at home or work. This is definitely one expense that I am throwing out and putting money back into my pockets.

I will be doing my budget shortly and I am sure a lot of nip and tuck is going to be required, I am really looking forward to this and by the way I have just opened my E Saver account which will be my main savings account. With this Drive and Discipline my finacial woes are soon to be something of the past.

CHANGE OF THE GUARD ??

Heads must have been rolling and definitely there were gasps of surprise or maybe relief as Roger took his own last gasp out of the Australian Open.

I am such a Sports fanatic especially Grand Slam Tennis that i have had to wait and sit through this Year's Austrlian Open despite the fact that it was being screened live after midnight and i still have to go to work in the morning. So much for the time difference.

Do we now dare hope that it might finally be "change of Guard" in men's tennis. Not begrudging Roger's talent on the court, it should not go unmentioned that the Men's tennis had become as predictable as the wet, cheerless weather at SW19 on a certain June afternoon. My boy Nadal was also sent crushing out by the unbelievable Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who was virtually unnoticed until he sent Andy Murray, hair and all out in the first round of the Open.

Back to my question, is this the beginning of the end for the Goliath of Men's Tennis, all things considered though, there were a few cracks in Roger's game not the perfect 10 we have come to expect of this man. Nadal on the other hand must still be reeling and wondering how his first chance at an Australian Grand Slam final could have been fashionably and brutally snatched away by Tsonga who before this was ranked a far off 38 in the world rankings.

Well whom am i routing for now, the little David(Djokovic) who has brought down the giant Federer or go for broke with the man who has won so many fans including his President Sarkozy. For this final i am happy to sit back and for once let the volleys and swings decide the NEW GUARD!

IF YOU KEEP YOUR POCKETS FULL OF COINS, YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE SMAL CHANGE

Money or should i say a lack of it is a sore subject for me and i would like to believe for a whole lot of folks too. Like many of us whose last pay cheque was way before Christmas if you happen to get paid last day of the month, January must surely be one hell of a month to be in. Some of my favourite blogs are those of people trying to get themselves Financial Independence, i have become an avid reader of these blogs in a quest to find out how some are managing this or at least keeping a rein on their money matters.

This brings me to Resolution Number 2. I am totally guilty of spending without a budget, obssesive overspending and impulsive buying. With all the talk around about an economic melt down, don't think i am anyway close to buckling at the knees. This is definitely something that i need to keep in check and address as its one of those choices that without a doubt ruins us.

I am making this year, a year of getting rid of debt and unneccessary spending, this is going to be my one shot at getting Financial Security and hopefully a path towards empowerment and peace of mind. I am going to make it my quest not to have loose change in my pockets but a healthy savings account that can stand even the tide of an economy meltdown.

To achieve this end as from today and my first pay cheque of this year I am going to put aside a quatre of my salary towards this and i hope to come back at the beginning of 2009 to report one resolution achieved.

16 DAYS INTO THE NEW YEAR !!!!!

Day 16 into the new year, God only knows how may of us have sloggeg on with all those resolutions we made as the clock struck 12 signalling the start of the new year and of course a right of passage for a lot of us to set our selves on a new course for the life we hope to live in the new year.

I am one not to jump on the wagon and sit, reflect and write about the warts i would like purged out of my life on the 1st of January, rather i gradually build into resolution making as day unfold into another and today being day 16 in the new year i am taking little steps at not being afraid to look at what has not worked thus far in my life.

Each start of the year I look into inspirational messages from people like T D Jakes, Iyanla etc to hear their take on how I can change and improve things in my life and I am glad to say this year my first inspirational message which will be my first resolution is from one of my favourite books. "Daily Cornbread : 365 Secrets for a Heathy Mind, Body, and Spirit"

This is a daily motivational book that aims to feed your mind, body and spirit with scriptures, tidbits and suggestions that go a long way to creating a healthy you. On January 1 the author decides writes about putting "God First" and i should say i have been struggling with this for quite a long time now.

Upon reflection and deep regret i seem to put God on the agenda when i am in that palce where things are bleak and God seems to be the only one who can put things into perspective. The author gives these suggestions to how we can achieve this:

• Make prayer your first activity of the day
• Put the word "God" in your computer code, ATM pin, or voicemail passcode
• Do something God-like today.(Treat someone lovingly)

I am hoping that this is one resolution i put to practise and not slack on, as even the bible commands us to seek God in all things, be they joyful, sorrowful, tearful.

I truely look forward to waking up everyday shouting "HAPPY LORD'S DAY"

NEW YEAR NEW BEGINNINGS???

Do we not just love the thrill of a new year springing before us, for the majority of us this provides yet again an opportunity to right the wrongs of the year or rather should i say the years gone past. After a bit and for some major reflections we always manage to work into the proverbial concept of "new year new Beginnings!!". We all go out making the same resolutions we have made the past number of years but have never managed to fullfil, so here I find myself asking yep! it might be a new year but beginnings i very much doubt it.....


Take myself for example, i have been telling myself for the past couple of years that i should sit my fanny down and start putting my thoughts to paper or rather should i say "cyberspace" well i think i can finally glow in the knowledge that one resolution is finally getting a headstart though i am not sure how diligent i am going to be on recounting my thoughts, escapades, longings, whinings and stropes about the goings on of my little world.

This blog is my journey through life in a country away from home, the challenges of embracing a new world whilst holding on to the memories of the life and familiarity of a totally different world i left some years ago.........

When i decided to leave my country a few years ago it was with the hope of finding greener pastures in a counrty that was not only continents away but where all familiarity was thrown out the plane window the minute i boarded my flight away from what i had been born to and knew. It was and has been a blessing and priviledge that I can share with you my life in a country that has become my home away from home.