Almost Friday: Weekend Agenda.

I got my new camera! Yipeee! I am not a professional photographer. But I do like pretty things, places and faces. So I take pictures of just about everything. My husband thinks it's so "Asian". I say I'm an artist. Ha! So this weekend, we are off to Costa Mesa to see this secret sculpture garden. 

California Scenario.Situated between two office towers at South Coast Plaza Town Center in Costa Mesa is Noguchi’s California Scenario (1980-1982), a 1.6 acre metaphorical abstraction of California’s natural resources. Comprised of trees, plants, water, and sculpture, the garden is a space filled with beauty and tranquility. Commissioned by developer and philanthropist Henry Segerstrom, Isamu Noguchi offered a plan that challenged everyone’s notions of a garden. To know more click here

After that we are going to The Camp. I heard they have great restaurants and shops there. It's like a shopping center for hipsters and "green" people. I can't wait to check it out!

 Have a fantastic almost weekend!!! 

xoxo

Adorable Book: My Quotable Kid

Love! I found this book online and I absolutely adore it. I kinda already do this with my journal for Sammy... As a mom of a 4 year old girl who calls her self an "artist", there is a lot of unforgettable moments and I wish to share this with my Sammy in the future. She brings joy in my life everyday. It's never too late to start quoting your kid/s. It's a great picker upper when you're feeling gloomy.

You can get it here.

Venting Out.

Feeling sad today. I have to say, I don't agree with the saying "You get what you give". Some people can be so clueless of how a relationship works. And I'm not talking about"romantic relationships". Well, at least not in my case. Relationships are tough because it involves another person. And we are all different. What is important to me may not be important to you so if you are not paying attention to what is important to me, then you are hurting me without even knowing it because you don't really think it's something important. What?!? Confusing. But it's a fact. If you've ever heard or read about the Five Love Language, you should have an idea of how this works. My heart is a little broken right now because I recently got dumped. It made me feel less important to that person and honestly, disrespected for not honoring what was promised to me. There can be a lot of situations, a lot of excuses. And most of the time, I try to understand and even justify that persons actions just to get over my anger. But sometimes, it's just too obvious and there's no way of understanding. It is simply what it is. I got dumped! I know for a fact that what is important to me is NOT important to that person. And since I can't change anybody, I will just have to accept it. And then there's the "seniority" issue. In our culture, if you are younger, whatever you say is not as significant. It doesn't mean you are less loved, it's just that you may not be taken seriously...or thought of as someone with less knowledge. Some people don't realize that you grow up and most of the time, get enough life experience to know more about things than someone older who lived a very sheltered life. This is something that I am having a really hard time with. I was born and raised in this culture. It gets me every single time. I really HATE that part of our culture. People don't understand that you, your life, your thoughts and ideas are just as important as theirs. Your feelings are valid too. It's so frustrating, it may be my fault for not letting that person know how I feel, but seriously, why bother? People don't like being told when they are wrong. And honestly, in this case, I am choosing my battles. Because I know for a FACT that if I do take that route.... things can only get uglier. Unfortunately, this is not someone I can just disconnect myself to. So I gotta figure out how I can fix this. Because as upset as I am with that person right now. Love still prevails. I keep on doing this. Over and over. Setting myself up to failure. Hoping for a better treatment, a better relationship. But I guess that's what unconditional love is. Just like God's love for us. No matter how much you hurt, you still love. You forgive. I feel closer to God when I do. So I guess I just got my answer. I forgive. It's easier than holding a grudge. 

Read: Money Makeover

So it's January, and you're still recuperating from your crazy holiday spending... I thought this would be the perfect time to tell you about this book. 
Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. If you haven't read it, I suggest you do whatever it takes to get your hands on this book. I am not a reader, It's hard for me to stay focused and interested on a book. I would really rather watch or listen. But this book is worth my effort. It talks about how you can be debt free! Now wait a minute... I know you're thinking, "Debt Free???? There is no such thing!". Yes my friend, it is possible. In this book, he talks about 7 simple Baby Steps. Here's a summary of what I've learned... 

Step 1: Start an EMERGENCY FUND. ($1000) - I think the key here is to know what EMERGENCY is. It should be an unexpected event in your life that you can't plan for. Like if your car breaks or you cracked a tooth and don't have dental insurance at the moment... anything unexpected that will cause you hardship, not those Ferragamo shoes that's on sale right now at Nordstrom or that Tory Burch bag you've been eyeing for months and they finally lowered down the price. Just in case you're wondering, NO, that is not an emergency. This $1000 may not always be enough, but for small situations, it can definitely save you. 

Step 2: Pay off all debts using the debt snowball. - It's pretty simple. STOP using your credit cards! After you've found the strength to do that, list down all of your debts except the house (mortgage and utilities) in order. Make a list from the SMALLEST to the BIGGEST balance. The point is that you need some quick wins in order to stay pumped up about getting out of debt! Paying off your smallest debts first will motivate you to dump your debt. Personal finance is 20% head knowledge and 80% behavior. So go for it! Start making yourself feel good and be free! 

To learn more about this step click here.

Step 3: Save 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings. - Now it's time to build your FULL emergency fund. How much would it take for you to live 3 to 6 months if you lose your income? Calculate only the necessities. How ever much it is, is the amount you need to save. Think of it as your Life Insurance. Especially with the economy today, you would surely rather have this than that new toy you're eyeing. Hopefully you won't have to go through a hardship like this. But if you do... are you going to be ready for it?

Step 4: Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement. - now you've passed the hard part. By this time, you should also have changed your way of thinking about money. You have no payments except for you home. It's time to think about WEALTH. Dave suggests investing 15% of your income to Roth IRA's and pre-tax retirement plans.  You need to prepare for your future. Your kids degree or your paid off house will not feed you in the future. Of course it's part of the 7 Steps but there is a reason why this is #4. Who wants to be a burden? Yes, your kids LOVE you. But for me, I would rather have them concentrate on their own 7 Steps than worry about me. And yes, it is important to pay off your house. But if you don't have money saved for when you retire, you'll end up selling that house just to survive. I don't know much about investing, but click here to learn more.


Step 5: College funding for children. - Weather it's for you or your kid, this is the time to save up for college.  Dave suggests the best way to save for college is with Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and 529 plans. Remember, college is possible without loans! You just need to plan it. Educate yourself about this savings account and investment. Know where you put your money.


Step 6: Pay off your house early. - By this time, you've got no payments, you have a savings plan for your retirement and college fund for you or your kid. Now, it's time to pay off your house! Get motivated by knowing that being debt free is within your reach. Put all that extra money to paying of your mortgage. Find out how long it will take you to pay off you home here.


Step 7: Build wealth and GIVE! - Share your blessings! Leave an inheritance for the future generation and bless others with your excess. After saving for yourself and for your family, it's time to give back. I am telling you, there is nothing more rewarding than to be a blessing to others. Tithe is my numero uno priority every pay period. From my experience, God has NEVER disappointed me. He's always provided even in the most impossible situations. I was a single mom for a while and lost my job twice. But God is good. I understand that if you put God first, he will take care of your needs. I cannot stress enough how true this is. Sometimes it even comes back 100 folds! I am not kidding. I am not rich, but I have everything that I need and more. After everything that he has given me, giving him back the 10% seems so little. It's really a test of faith. Putting him first and trusting he will take care of you. Charity is another way of giving back. I am closest to God when I'm a blessing to others. Best feeling ever. 


Seems difficult? At first it is. The steps are really called "7 Baby Steps". Understand that this is not just changing how you use and see your money. It's a total life style change. Know what is important to you. Set a goal and work hard to reach it. Big part of being successful on this is controlling your self. It's 80% behavior. I suggest reading this book. It will change you. Click here to know more about Dave Ramsey and this wonderful book.


Oh! And since it's  TAX season... check  this  out for tips on how you can keep more of your money.  This guy also has a radio show. And on his website, he offers classes that will definitely benefit you. 


Read the book! Good luck!

Resolution Twenty Twelve.

We all do this... every single year, we plan to be a better person than the previous year. So here yah go....

Sleep! Go to bed early and wake up early! My bed time is usually around midnight and wake up around seven (well, usually stay in bed till 7:30 especially when its cold!) I would like to wake up a little earlier than that. I want to enjoy my morning with my lovies before we go to school/work. Or maybe go for a quick run so I don't have to go to the gym after work. In other words, i need to adjust my sleeping habits to be more productive during the day!

Read more. Learn more. I am currently reviewing for my State Exam to get my Insurance license (it's for work). And let me tell you... my brain feels like an 80 year old trying to party like it's 21! I need to get serious with this if I want to reach my goal! I'm not a nerd, so I need to work really hard to pass this exam. :)

Run. I would like this body please! Not gonna happen if I keep on eating like a true Filipino! The only way for me to reach this goal is to run like there is no tomorrow. That's the only thing that ever worked for me. I lost a lot of weight for my wedding and it's all because of running. (And eating right, which I think is harder for me than running) Thanks to my gorgeous husband, I am now inspired to go back to my pre-wedding routine.

Finally, spend more time with my lovies. I think once I get this resolution down to a tee, I will have more time to play. Nothing is more important to me than my family and true friends. I plan to spend more time with you this year... But you gotta keep me in your prayers. Because there is a reason why these things need resolution! I need your prayers! ;)

Also maintaining my insanity by always trying to be the better person. Relationships are hard, we are all different. Consideration is the key for me! Putting and understanding other peoples feeling before my own. Understand that she is not being mean, she is just not as bright as you are. :) Don't take things personally.

Twenty Twelve is all about seeing the final product, the finish line... the end. Focus will be my word this year. It is hard when you have a lot of things in mind. I tend to jump from one thing to another. I need to make sure I finish #1 before I go to #2 (you know what I mean!) Le sigh... Is this what THIRTY  growing up is all about? ...