The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: memphis blogger

  • Daddy Lessons

    Hello Honeybees,

    My daddy Alabama, momma …..

    okay that’s it because my momma was born right here in Memphis,Tennessee and we ain’t nowhere near creole but Chicago brought them together so I don’t know what that makes me……Lol!!!

    Last month for Mother’s Day I shared a lesson that my mom taught me so for Fathers Day I’m sharing a lesson that my father taught me. My dad died when he was only 32 years old and I was 10. But in those 10 years he taught me some very valuable and life affirming lessons. The time that we had together holds an extremely special place in my heart.

    One of the most important lessons that my dad taught me was the value of an education. I promised my dad that I would go to college and earn my degree. I don’t know why that lesson stuck with me, part of it could be that he promised me a car if I went to college. Even though I knew that my mom couldn’t afford to buy me a car I knew that I was going to keep my promise. It was too important not to, so off to college I went. It wasn’t easy and I took longer than 4 years but I did it and made both of my parents proud. Together we made that promise a reality.

    My dad wanted a better educational future for me compared to his. I never truly understood just how proud my dad would’ve been of me until my own children started graduating. I too want my sons to have better than I did. Just like I had to find my way my oldest is finding his way and just like my parents I will be his support to help him navigate this crazy world. My youngest, who is headed to Xavier University in New Orleans, once told me that he wanted to earn his PhD because it’s better than my MBA. All that I have to say to that is “Go Get It” but I’m not promising a car.

    As we celebrate this Father’s Day, let us remember the lessons that our father’s taught us. If your dad is still alive make sure you tell him thank you for those lessons. If your dad, like mine, is no longer here on earth, whisper a prayer of thanks.  He’ll receive it.

    Happy Father’s Day!

     

    Beewisdom- “A good father will leave his imprint on his daughter for the rest of her life.” – Dr. James Dobson

  • Controlled Chaos

    Hello Honeybees,

    Nine years ago I had a lot going on in my life. I was going through a divorce, my sons were acting out, I was working a full time job, I was going through a leadership program AND I started a MBA program. To be honest some of this was in my control. I didn’t have to start the leadership program or the MBA program at that particular time but for some reason everything just happened at the same time. Kind of like the perfect storm. It was controlled chaos.

    As I look back over that time I wonder how I survived. How did I even have the strength to not only keep moving forward but to do it successfully? I completed the leadership program, earned my MBA and finalized my divorce. My sons was a longer process but we all made it through.

    But what I learned about myself during that time was just how strong I am. I also learned that I can thrive in the midst of chaos. I can get laser focused on what I need to do to survive and then execute.

    Here’s my concern, why do I have to be in chaos to thrive? One thing that I am discovering about myself is that the more that I have going on the better. If I am sitting still doing nothing I’d probably loose it. It makes me lazy. Controlled Chaos always brings out the best in me.

    I like having peace but shaking things up a little keeps me on my toes. If my chaos is not controlled then I am not at my best. The chaos has to be controlled. Surprise chaos is stressful.

    Thriving in chaos requires a mental, physical and emotional toughness. But staying positive that everything will work out helps. Surrounding myself with a support system that encourages me is important. But more importantly my faith that God will see me through it all is the power that I need to keep moving forward.

    Do you thrive in chaos?

     

    Beewisdom- All great changes are preceded by chaos – Deepak Chopra

     

     

  • Digit

    Hello Honeybees,

    One influencer that moved me to action was Memphis blogger Andrea Fenise. Andrea started a series of post about her savings journey. It’s a VERY personal account of how she is saving. She shares the ups & the downs. This got me to thinking more about my saving habits & how I could make them better.

     

    One way for me to save is if I never see the money and I can’t have easy access to it. I have $50 automatically go into an account that is managed by my Ameriprise financial adviser. It’s a slow and steady way for me to build. I don’t see it & in order for me to access it I have to call him. I know if I call him he’s going to ask me all kinds of questions like; Why do I need the money? Saying I want to buy a pair of shoes or a purse is not gonna cut it. It’s his job to help me not make dumb financial decisions. He keeps me accountable and I’m okay with that.

     

     

    Another way that I’m saving is by using the Digit app. Y’all this has been a game changer for me. Digit takes money out of your linked account and puts it into a rainy day account. I also set up another account for an August trip. So it pulls money daily and puts into each account. Now I was scared to have money automatically come out of my account like this and daily at that! Whew chile the anxiety!! Remember that other $50, yeah I can’t have too many things on auto. But the beauty of this is that Digit “learns” your spending habits. It also lets you set a pause limit. So if your linked account falls below a certain amount Digit won’t transfer any money.

     

    If your account gets to a threshold that you set, Digit will transfer money from your Rainy Day account back to your linked account. Another of my things about the app is that it lets you know you balance on your linked account and it tells you why. I get a text that says MLGW cleared today for $100 and your balance is now $1,010. You also have the flexibility to move money back into your account when needed.

     

     

    I will say that having Digit is helping me to stay on my spending toes. Having a constant reminder of how & where I’m spending just what I needed.

     

    If you want to try Digit use my link for the referral. They will give you $5 for signing up. https://digit.co/r/bJBn40_g9V?ad&twb=true

     

    No this is not sponsored. Just like Andrea got me to thinking about my savings, I want you to do the same. Let’s all save, build and grow together.

     

     

    Beewisdom- Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are. –James W. Frick