leveluponabuck - Tumblr blog

[leveluponabuck]

I like to listen to a variety of commentary and I have been listening to this. The interviewer isn't my favorite person, but I appreciate this interview. If you don't have an hour plus to watch this here's the TLDW version.

The woman on the right is a SAHM she and her husband have 2 kids. As you can see in the title the husband brings in $50k. Here's what stood out to me:

Her husband is an artist and does not have any certifications nor does he have a degree or a blue collar job and they are not a military family

She is an occupational therapist by trade

Her and her husband decided she'd stay home and he'd provide

She does not spend on hair appointments, nails, spa days, and receives those products from an MLM she represents

Her and her husband rarely eat out or go on dates

They own a home after a nice family decided to give it to them under asking price

They don't raise their own food

They utilize a lot of free entertainment for their children such as parks, libraries and free events

Do to income restraints they receive Medicaid

Husband was injured from a job, but is able bodied

Do you live this lifestyle?

Could you be a stay home mom on this income? Why/Why Not?

Should women pursue being a "traditional" wife no matter the husband's income?

[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]

Book of the Month!

This is the book I completed this month! I love this book! It was so insightful, enlightening, and had such a relatable common-sense approach!

This is the other book I'm finishing!

This book is free and I love this book!!! I am going to be writing a post about what I've learned later this month. This book is a game changer and shows that even though you can have it all you can't do it all!

[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.

[leveluponabuck]

MY 2023 GOALS

The goals I set this year vs what I actually accomplished.

Enroll in WGU and complete a degree in 6 months

-I enrolled and switched my degree a few times. I am now enrolled in the master's program with WGU and I want to land a system admin job in the year year after I graduate that pay $90k-$120k. I am also getting Cisco and RedHat certified, so *fingers crossed* .

Pay off my student loan debt

-On December 22nd of 2023 I will officially be DEBT FREE!!! I struggled, worked 2 jobs, burned out a couple of times and made many sacrifices. I can honestly say I am very, very proud of myself. I questioned many days could I get debt free and even thought about waiting on relief, but I finally did thank God!

Get a job paying over $65k

-I took a course and landed an SDR role within a company and my job with OTE pays $72k. It's a hard job, but I am learning everyday and I hope that I can continue with the company as long as possible.

Get my credit above the 700s

-This is a yes and a no! I won't officially get my new score until the new year, but since all my debt will be gone, it should be past THE 700S.

Lose 50 lbs.

-I really struggled with my weight this year as well as my eating. What I learned is I needed to simplify my routine. I start turning on anime and watching that while I walk at a speed of 3.0-3.5 on the treadmill. I walk an hour everyday, but Sunday. I will lay out the plan on how and when I'll lose this weight in a later post.

[leveluponabuck]

Hey sis, I wanted to ask you how can a college student with a part-time job establish credit? I never got the proper education on what credit is and how I can build it. I want to be a financially independent woman who is smart with her bag and your page gives me the motivation to stay on top of it, thank you!!

Hi Girly!

Sorry for the late reply. Now to preface I will say I am not a financial advisor I've just made mistakes and to be honest I'm still learning. Here are a few things I've done that have helped me.

Open an Experian account: This way you can monitor your credit.

Look into starting a Fizz card. I haven't personally used this card, but it apparently it's a good card to build credit.

Pay your bills on time. If something is in collections, this doesn't automatically mean to pay it off.

Start working with a professional as soon as possible.

When you open a credit card. Always try to pay it off IN FULL way before it's due.

Have an emergency fund!!

Always pay more than minimum payments!

[leveluponabuck]

So Far So Good . . .

~ I am now making my salary through my new job

~ I have been working out 5 days a week

~ I have limited my eating out/ eating junk food

~ I am saving a hefty emergency fund this year

~ I am doing some reflection on my spending habits

~ I am de-cluttering my home

~ I saving for my down payment to live in my dream area.

[leveluponabuck]

Your blog is awesome! I've recently returned to tumblr and and hoping to make new friends on here, and while our goals are different, they're definitely aligned! I'm aiming to retire early, by 50 at the latest(20 years from now). 🥰

Thank you so much! I don't know why I'm just now seeing this (tbh I'm not the most computer literate). I really appreciate this :)

[leveluponabuck]

[leveluponabuck]

Even it's a only a dollar, try your best to save money from each time you get paid...

[leveluponabuck]

Growth Mindset + Action = Manifestation

Last year I made a simple goal a degree before the next chapter of my life. It was a hard decision and was super taxing and scary, but after years of self sabotage I received my associates. This year I made 5 simple goals:

Enroll in WGU and complete a degree in 6 months

Pay off my student loan debt

Get a job paying over $65k

Get my credit above the 700s

Lose 50 lbs.

Here's the progress so far:

I enrolled, but had to re-enroll in order to get a new quicker business degree. I am almost done with a class (it only took about a week). I will be completing 4 classes a month.

I started out with $17k in student loan debt and officially paid off over $10k and I am on track to pay off the rest by the end of the year.

I hadn't even finished my course yet, but I received a job for an SDR paying $50k + an additional $22k in OTE = $72k + unlimited commission.

My credit was in the high 500s and this year I got it to 694 so far.

I haven't lost that much wait only 2 lbs but I still have 4 months and a lot can happen in 4 months.

This is my real progress and to be honest for years I had self sabotaged and didn't have a growth mindset I was very limited in my thinking. It wasn't until I accepted reality of "it is what it is" meaning that it doesn't matter what a situation should be, but accepting what it is. After you accept what a situation truly is you can began the steps necessary to change your situation. I have taken on a new mindset and started taking the time to heal that side of me that didn't believe in herself and I am officially enrolling therapy later this month. I also received a scholarship to learn business analytics. If you are stuck and in a rut I want you to repeat the words I have written below. Have an awesome day!

I am not my situation, I am not helpless, I will control the controllable in my life. I am powerful, I can learn anything, I am just as capable as anyone else. I am amazing, I can this. I can and will make my dreams a reality. My dream are possible. I am worth what I want in life. My work and effort will amount to a possible change in my life. I CAN DO THIS!

[leveluponabuck]

Never underestimate the power of little positive consistent changes, after all every puzzle is put together piece by piece.

[leveluponabuck]

Makeup, hair, fashion is just the tip of the iceberg when leveling up. These things may get you in the door of certain spaces, but aesthetics alone won't keep you there.

[leveluponabuck]

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[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. 💗💗💗

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