Can't Fumble The Bag

Unfortunately for this little black girl; much like many little black children around the world, finances were not at the peak of my educational programming. In fact, it barely peaked except through a rushed course in economics and algebra problems that would never cross over to financial literacy. I only knew how to add and subtract money so that is what I did. I learned how to defend myself, how to cook and clean for myself, and how to care for others long before I even learned how to balance a checkbook (who even uses those anymore?). In this instance learned is in the past tense because it is just a past skill never to be revisited or put into practice in any meaningful way. I was made aware that my credit score is important but not how to properly sustain it other than paying bills. So in essence, if I make enough to pay my bills even with a little leftover I am living the American dream because my credit score was well over 700, so I’m good right? Wrong. I had no idea about investments, trusts, business funding, ownership, or dividends. All I knew how to do was pay bills. So when the inevitable happened and the amount coming in was severely lower than the amount going out, life got harder and I got quieter. I knew that my breaking point was a possibility. I just never thought it would actually come because I know how to pay my bills– I just couldn't. I couldn't pay my bills and I couldn't tell or ask anyone for help because like me they were suffering too. An embarrassment that I created simply because I became too prideful to communicate my needs. On the flip side, how could everyone else be so blind? Why can't anyone, not even those closest to me, see me falling apart at the seams? There was no blame to be placed, just a realization that I had to learn what I did not know in order to become someone that I did not even know yet. I am currently taking notes from The Budgetnista’s book “Get Good with money,” I'll keep you updated on how it opens my eyes to a whole new world of finances and money management. This time around I’ll be prepared to properly handle my blessings in any way they may come.