#leveluponabuck

[leveluponabuck]

I have found that as I am switching my identity I am seeing more success in my life. I have stopped looking at who I am and instead hyper focusing on who I wish to be. Hope this like Barbie inspired guide helps you. 💗💗💗

Watch this too:

[leveluponabuck]

I place this not to discourage soft life or to scare anyone, but to encourage women no matter what path you choose to always have something of your own! Whether you are a sahm with a marketable social media, a soft life girly who has small business, or a women who is looking to start a family and unsure of what you'll do after the baby comes. Always have your own it doesn't mean your relationship won't end, but having your own means you no longer are at the mercy of whether or not someone still loves you. Like I said I think being a sahm mom is great! My mom was a sahm, but I know many women who had to put their life back together after death and divorce. Putting yourself first isn't selfish after all you have to put on your own oxygen mask before you have help others this includes your partner and yes even your kids!

I don't know if someone has already posted this but this is exactly why other women tell you not to quit everything to become a stay at home mother. Tradwife shit is absolute fantasy. You are dependent on your husband for everything. He can leave you with nothing if he wants and you will be left to struggle unless you get a prenup and most of them would be offended that you would even suggest a prenup.

The comments are telling. These women didn't "choose wrong", they were lied to and convinced that they could depend on their significant other.

[the-level-up-diaries]

I needed this! Hopefully this helps you too.

[a-soft-life-for-bw-moodboard]

Bet 👀

[leveluponabuck]

Time to come clean . . .

I have felt bad about not posting content on here for a while and have been off of this website for quite a while due to mental health issues. Part of those issues are due to the fact that as of January I lost my tech job. I am okay financially, but it came as a low blow. I do believe tech sales is so lucrative and can change lives. Sales certainly has changed my life over the years. I saw some changes in the company and had a sixth sense that it may be coming, but was constantly told I was fine and then the day came and in an instant I was let go. I was then reached back out to by my old job and decided to go back and as of today they backed out of rehiring me as well. Even though a lot has happened I actually am okay. After paying off my debt last year, I am still in an okay place financially and have ultimately decided to take a break. If anyone wants story times on being in sales (ooh the drama) or how tech sales interviews can be (the ghetto) I'm happy to share. Please don't let this discourage you from pursuing tech or sales if that's your desire.

[leveluponabuck]

Personal Investments for December/January

I wish everyone a happy holiday. My main focus has been on the new year instead of the holidays. Here’s how I’m investing in myself for next year!

- CompTIA A+ - this is at my local community college and I think this will help me get my first IT job.

- Software sales boot camp - It’s only $500 and has a payment plan and I’ve heard awesome reviews!

- Bachelors degree* -  I may actually do this in January, because I graduated December with an AA, but it will all depend on how I will pay for it! (I am in the process of applying for scholarships) 

- A nice planner - My planner costs $85 for it’s totally worth it

- Stuff for my business - I am putting $150 aside for supplies and $50 for more

- Saving for my house/townhouse - I am enrolling in several courses with state organizations to help me buy a home

- A dumpster - rather than constantly keep going back and forth to the dump I rented a dumpster from a local company to clean out my home 

-Shredding services - this helped me get rid of so much in a short amount of time

- A freezer - my freezer is so cute! It’s about 5 cubic feet. I bought this because I as food starts to cost more I can stash more protein when it goes on sale. 

- Audible - I want to listen to a book a month.

- Weave or Sisterlocs - I don’t like doing my hair, but I always want to look polished so I will be figuring out what I will be doing with my hair

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[leveluponabuck]

Level Up through Higher Education?

I have a question, and if you have time please reply. Are any of you all in college or trying to go back?

[leveluponabuck]

It’s Been a Long Time...

Investments for January/February/March. 

- Self- funding a bachelors 

- Investing in My Fitness Pal and possibly Weight Watchers

- A Bowflex

- Clothes

- Acrylic Kit

- Braids or Twists

-Microlocs or sistalocs

- Facials/ massages

-Business courses

- IT certifications and courses

- Maybe a towel warmer

- Laser hair removal  and electrolysis 

- Brows and PMU training

- CEUs 

- A student loan pay off fund

- A Christmas account

- A vacation fund 

[leveluponabuck]

Let's talk about this! I have been saying forever that a huge part of the level up is education! Are any of you going back to school?

[leveluponabuck]

Healthy Comfort Food Recipes

Hey level up on a buck! Winter is killing me because I’m not a fan of cold weather (I am naturally a vata type). Normally I would eat all the comfort foods mashed potatoes and gravy, beef stew, etc, but since I am changing my lifestyle and losing weight I want to eat healthy comfort food. Here’s some of what I’ve been eating and other recipes I plan on trying. Enjoy! 

Japanese Curry: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vpCcFQLvmZo

Lentil Soup: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ViTduLmo3m8

Butter Chicken - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IQh8Yp2EFKo

Hot girl Summer salad - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pWKHdPTjiZU

Yummy looking meal prep - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYXfaVD5o40

                 *****HEALTHY RECIPE COMPILATION BONUS**** 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pWKHdPTjiZU

[leveluponabuck]

You got this!

- Get that certification, start and finish that degree, level up that career!

- Start that business, start that blog, sell that idea!

- Do that face mask, join that gym, meditate and do those daily positive affirmations!

- Buy that house, sign that luxury apartment lease, move to that safer area.

- Save that emergency fun, invest, set up that IRA 

Put yourself first unapologetically!

[leveluponabuck]

Don't just get money to buy bags, vacations, and fine dining. Remember to use your money to buy options and freedom.

Level Up On a Buck

[leveluponabuck]

If you are putting in the work, believing in yourself, and showing up its going to work out

Level Up On a Buck

[leveluponabuck]

Femininity + Minimalism

I am becoming a minimalist. - to me this doesn’t mean I own nothing, but instead I will only put energy into having things that truly matter to me.

I am paying off all of my debts -  in order to no longer have to work as hard as the people who insist on keeping up with the jones’. 

I don’t focus on fad diets - I focus on cooking, simple, natural foods and buying foods that bring me joy while I eat them and after I eat them.

I am about to basic AF- I am going to replenish my closet with basics and have things that always look good on ME, on MY BODY, and NOT just trendy outfits that everyone is wearing!

I am using minimalism as a tool for soft living - by not having to have all the material possessions I see that I like I can then focus on what I do. I love my freedom, I love being outside, I love nature, I love books, movies, I love to learn. By paying off my debt and focusing on only what I truly need I can spend more time on what I love. 

I am working for MY goals - my goal isn’t to achieve the most for my company and outdo others, to have accolades of the hardest worker my goal/mission is to create a life for myself where I am thriving and surviving isn’t a concern.

Want to know more about how I’m using minimalism to cultivate my femininity?

[leveluponabuck]

My life is becoming...

Going to brunch with friends

Solo picnics in the park

Pottery classes, candle making and little hobbies I enjoy

Weekend getaways

A consistent workout routine

Being consistent with skincare

Drinking 80+ oz of water a day

Going to bed early

[leveluponabuck]

My new 6 Non-Negotiables

I get massages at least once a month- I can afford this because I go to a school for my massages and therefore it’s less expensive (check out schools for things like this and be sure to thorough vet them). I also use schools for my nails too.

I take myself on adventures - I can’t afford to go out to luxurious vacations right now, but I have my own little local adventures. I just went strawberry picking and I plan on going to join a local farm and learn some about gardening. I also plan on doing a weekend away to a tiny house.

I build relationships everywhere- when I first started my  job I remember being friendly to a guy at my job and taking time to always ask how he was doing. I later needed my schedule changed because my load was becoming too heavy. I asked my supervisor and they told me to go to, you guess it, the guy I was friendly too. When I was introducing myself I didn’t realize at the time that he was my manager. I have heard so many people complain and say they want their schedule changed and they couldn’t get it changed. He changed my schedule the same day I asked. Relationships matters, of course you don’t have to be friendly to everyone, but something as simple as me being genuinely nice helped me later on.

I no longer suffer in silence - When I need help whether it was my work schedule or financial I no longer suffer in silence. I ask for the help that I want and need because I no longer wear being strong as a badge of honor. 

I rest - I refuse to work myself into the ground with no scheduled relaxation or rest. I have done this in the past and have gotten so burnt out. I still work very hard, but now I have also incorporated working smart as well.