Wow!!  I can't believe that it's been over a year and a half since I last posted on this blog...many things have happened since that time..stay tuned--more to come!!!

LET'S BEGIN AGAIN

Spring is here, and with it comes desires for fresh starts, new experiences and adventures, and even a sense of wanting to revive resolutions made for the new year.  Birds abound as they migrate-announcing to the world that something new has began.  Caterpillars litter streets and sidewalks; minding their own business as they make their way to cocoon nesting spots where they'll soon emerge as beautiful butterflies.  Neighborhoods are once again filled with kids riding bikes, skating, and other fair-weather activities.  People start to take advantage of the weather by walking the blocks of their neighborhoods, waving to other walkers and passersby.  Ahhhh, yes.  Smell the sweet aromas of flowers as they bloom and release their goodness into the atmosphere.  See the beauty that a flower bed beholds.  Yes, spring is here.  Yes, my spring is here. Yes, your spring has arrived.  Learn to embrace all that it holds for you.

Get A REVISED MIND and declare, "God IS well able"

Have you ever wondered why God put you here on Earth (besides to worship Him)?  We can sometimes have trials and tribulations that are so mind blowing that all we want to do is lie down and die.  Situations with family, friends, or just life in general can bring even the toughest to their knees.  I know.  I've been there.  I went through a time so tough that I know it had to have been God and God alone who brought me out.  I endured some things alone, but it's at that time that I became closer to God.  I learned to worship, praise, and to trust Him alone. 

My every circumstance at that time was one of almost abject poverty and abundant lack (yes, I said ABUNDANT lack), yet I learned to sow.  I was unemployed, but I tithed faithfully from child support payments ($8+change weekly!).  I was without a vehicle, but I made sure that I got a way to church if nowhere else.

God never intended for you to go through without permitting you the testimony of HOW you went through.  Read it again-HOW you went through!!  HOW would be in past tense...Picture yourself coming out, living victoriously, and telling your testimony to someone else. 

I still go through some hard/tough times, but I always say, "This isn't funny now, but I'll be able to laugh about it someday."  Think of it like a headache of sorts.  I remember having a headache one day and praying that God would just deliver me from it at that very moment.  I looked at the clock, and it was around noon or so.  I took a nap to get my mind off of it, and I woke up a few hours later.  I got up and moved around the house, and then it hit me--My headache was gone!!  I didn't know what time it left or where it went, and I didn't care to know.  All I know is that it was gone.  Talk about somebody praising God!!  I sometimes look back at my season of lack,and it's just like the headache.  I "rested" by casting all my cares upon Jesus. 

So the next time trials, hard times, tribulations, etc come, just tell yourself, "God, undoubtedly you want me to testify about this soon."  Stay in God's word, find a scripture to stand on (biblegateway.com), tithe, sow, strive for a holy and right lifestyle.  God honors your faithfulness, so why shouldn't we honor His?  He knows your pain as well as your desire to be free from it.  Tell Him what's on your heart for He cares about you.
Change your way of thinking and watch the things around you change.

10 THINGS NOT TO DO W/YOUR TAX REFUND

SOME FROM EXPERIENCE & SOME FROM SINGLE MOM POINT OF VIEW:

1. Don't give some of it to your man to "flip"-if anything, go w/high yielding savings/checking acct, stocks, or some other legit avenue.
2. Don't go buying up a whole bunch of clothes & shoes-school starts again in August & most people have no clue how they're gonna get $ for outfits and supplies (I mean you just had it at tax time).
3. Don't think that you're rich-take your refund amount and divide it by 12 (12 months)..budget accordingly!
4. Don't give it to your man so that he can get a car-especially if he won't work or doesn't know what an application looks like.
5. Get a real bank account. I was in line behind a young lady at a convenience store and she asked if they could cash a $5000 refund check.  I was too through!!!  They cashed it for her, but there's no telling what the fee was.  I couldn't imagine walking around with that much money on my person.
6. Stop putting money in the laundromat if you have washer/dryer hookups-BUY YOURSELF A WASHER/DRYER. Most will spend just as much on junk items in a week.
7. Don't go loaning money out to everybody.
8. Don't make loans yourself and promise everybody that you'll "pay back w/income tax"  (I watch the television court shows on a regular basis, & this seems to always come up).  Something happens that prevents either them from repaying you or you from repaying them.
9. Don't put high $ rims on a car that's parked in front of a rental property (no offense to anyone but Im going somewhere w/this). Take time out to see what needs to be paid off (credit wise) & get w/someone for advice on how to purchase a home. You never know-you might not even have anything to pay off.  There's probably a house out there just waiting on you to make it a home!  Make a future/foundation for your kids-cars depreciate and can stop running-homes accrue equity.
10. There are some out there who'd consider our money as chump change (wealthy, rich, etc).  The majority of them probably don't spend frivolously. Why should we? Sit & talk w/them & we'll probably discover they are very frugal, their money is heavily invested, and they are ready for life's uncertainties.

Posting this has been on my mind for months-I want single moms to shine-yes, I'm independent but I also want my stuff to be in order when the one gets here-KIM- LIVED & LEARNED

P.S.

If anyone's offended about my tax posts, go back and read my 1st post-SOME FROM EXPERIENCE-I had a new hairstyle every tax season only to have to abandon the style's upkeep b/c my $ ran out, I bought clothes like I was Oprah, I spent very carelessly (not thinking about the fact that the $ wouldn't be readily replenished), & a lot of other foolishness. Do better now that u know from some of what u just read (single, married, whoever).  Much love and financial freedom