Happy Birthday Ashley

I got this picture off Ashley's Facebook. Her Mom shared it on her page and it's just a beautiful picture.  Seeing her face and really looking at this picture, just made me want to write something about the beautiful person she was and continues to be in Heaven.

     

     I met Ashley through sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. I always thought she was so pretty. She was always such a sweet person as well. When I learned that she battling cancer, my heart went out to her. During the time that I spent around Ashley and was graced with her presence, I became amazed. That girl was amazing. She had a heart kinder that most ever encounter. Ashley was 100 percent a fighter. This girl lived life and didn't let cancer bring her down. It was impossible to have a bad attitude with her around. Her kindness was contagious. She always did such a good job with whatever she was doing. Her sweets were some of the most delicious around. You are really missing out if you never got the chance to experience them.

     

     I was never super good friends with Ashley, and we didn't really hang out or anything like that. Every time that I was around her though, she was just so nice to me. There is one moment that really sticks out when I think of Ashley. It was during Relay for Life 2011. Our sorority set up a booth, like most organizations in town. Ashley was mostly in charge of ours. Our theme was 'Curing cancer one CUPCAKE at a time.' We usually take shifts for selling the cupcakes and such. That night I spent pretty much the entire night at the stand selling. A lot of the time, I ran it almost by myself. Of course, there were others that helped at points and some volunteered to help but I was more than content selling them. I didn't want to leave the stand. I stayed there and didn't give my shift up. I actually stayed until we took everything down. If I remember correctly it was around 11 p.m. or midnight when we finished. I had one of the best times that night. I felt so accomplished. I also felt very proud. Ashley complimented me a few times on how good of a job I was doing, and honestly, it was the highlight of that night for me. I felt like I had made her proud. I don't know why I felt like that or why her being proud of me was even important to me, but it was and it's a memory that I'll always have. I never told anyone that or even told her. It has been something that has just stuck with me. I've decided to share that moment today since it's her birthday. Sadly, Ashley will never know the impact she has had on me, but the rest of you will. Maybe she is able to read this from Heaven. I sure hope she can. 

     Ashley was loved by so, so many people. The magnitude of people is just crazy to even think about. She impacted so many. I sure hope she knows how much of a blessing she was in the lives of so many. I wish I understood why people are taken from this Earth so soon, especially the good ones. I do believe that everything happens for a reason though, and she is no longer in pain. She has, once and for all, kicked cancer's ass. I'm sure she makes a beautiful angel. 

Dust off that piggy bank

     Americans, for the most part, do not save. We are more familiar with accumulating debt. Can't afford something? No worries, just put it on credit. I'm not saying this is a bad thing. It has its pros and cons, like anything else. I'm just stating that generally Americans are spenders, not savers. Growing up in a family of spenders, I've always been told to save my money by people like my Pawpaw. "You better make sure you're saving your money. You don't want to be like me one day having to dig change out of a bucket for gas." Okay those aren't exact quotes, but they are pretty accurate.

     At the beginning of this year I made a New Year's resolution. Well I made a few (that I have actually been doing since the beginning of the year still... crazy right?!), but there was one in particular that pertains to finance... save at least $1 per day for the year. Well I tweaked this a little bit into the year. I decided to do something in addition to the $1 per day, called the 52-week money challenge. This is how it goes:

There are 52 weeks in a year. So, whatever week you are on, that is how much money you save for that week. For example:
Week 1 - Save $1
Week 2 - Save $2
Week 3 - Save $3
...
Week 52 - Save $52
At the end of the year, you would end up with $1,378. Crazy right?!

     So if I'm already doing the $1 per day (365 days) and then I do the 52 week challenge as well, that would give me a total of $1,743 at the end of the year. That's almost $2,000 in one year!!! I am working really hard to save the designated amount of money for each day/week. So far I have done well.

     Okay, I got off on a tangent a little bit. The point is I started saving my money for once. That came in handy today. I've had a gas leak in my car for a while... yikes, I know. A little bit of laziness on my part for not getting it checked out sooner. I also didn't realize the seriousness of it. Well I took it to a mechanic today and turns out, my fuel pump needs to be replaced. Ugh almost $400. Well since I have been saving my money, I can actually afford to replace it. There is no added stress about what I'm going to do. It also feels good to be able to afford to pay for it and not have to ask my Dad for the money. Aw... I'm growing up, slowly. ha. It does suck that I have to take that money out of my savings since I planned on not touching it, BUT isn't that the point of a savings? Having money set aside for an emergency or for retirement and things of that nature. Well I consider this an emergency since my car could easily blow up.

     I encourage everyone to start saving their money, even if it is something as small as $1 a day or having a change jar. It could make life easier and less stressful. 

     I am definitely not a money expert, but if you have any questions about saving or would like some tips and additional information, then please ask away. I'll do the best to answer your questions. 

Strive to live debt free.