Reader's Question Answered: Hating My Blog?

 

I have been having some back and forth email with an OFW who is currently working in the UK. I will just summarized what we talked about as well as my answers to her emails coz it's a pretty long one.

Her very first email is copy pasted below:

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Hi Pinasforgood,

I came across your blog because a  friend shared your blog in her FB post. As I read your past blog posts, it made me "hate" you! I hate you because you made me realized how I've been dumb financially. I've been working abroad for 13 years with nothing to show for it, except my passport na puno ng stamps because I love traveling, gadgets and clothes. I don't have savings or a house, to think that I am single with no family to support back home. 

I envy you because you have accomplished so much compared to me. If only I can go back few more years. If only I found your blog earlier.

She

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Dear She,
 

"Look and admire the journey not just the result"

Would you still envy me if I write my sacrifices in detail in order to save a penny? What if I'll tell you that I walk to and from work everyday no matter what the weather is? It's a 2-mile walk, by the way, and when it's cold out or if it's snowing out, I still walk to work to save on $1.25 bus fare. And girl, 2-mile walk on a snowy and cold day feels like darn Ice Age on this tropicana body of mine!

Or what if tell you that when the urge to buy a house sets in, I used to work super hard I didn't get much sleep. My schedule was jampacked, I used to leave home super early, get home around 9 PM only to do some pet sitting for the night. Girl, even if it's just a dog, I still can't sleep that well knowing that I am in charge of a living creature which they paid and trusted me for. When I am not

pet sitting for the night, I go to work. It was cray cray! (I feel like this post will be too long if I give you all the details of all the sacrifices I did. I won't bore you further.)

I don't have much of life, I have to tell you that. My form of entertainment is reading and hanging out in the library, taking long walks, running or basically any entertainment that doesn't require me to spend. I don't hang out with my friends that much. I am basically a loner. My life is actually what Dave Ramsey always says: "Living on rice and beans, beans and rice. Not going inside a restaurant unless you work there." As weird it sounds, I am happy being alone. Most days when I am just alone with my thoughts, I get to know myself more. As what Aristotle said, "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."

She, would you be willing to give up some of life's conveniences in order to save money? It takes some hardcore behavioral change and hardcore change of mindset in order to achieve discipline and focus for the betterment of your financial powerhouse. How to do that? Simple: Have a goal bigger than yourself. 

When you have a goal bigger than yourself, and you find creative ways to be reminded about it constantly, (journal, screensaver,etc.) you'll suddenly work towards it. Your mind will find ways to get to that goal no matter what.

Do small things, make it as a habit. A penny save today, a dollar save by next month, until you'll get to your saving percentage goal. 

With a goal in hand, focus follows and the discipline to reach it will eventually follow,too.

Surround yourself of things,books and TV shows that will remind you of your goal. (I am pretty sure I post all my strategies on my past posts, so read it up if you like.) 

Also, find out what tempts you to spend. Is it You Tube? Facebook? Find ways to limit your exposure to sites that makes you open your wallet and spend. Find out what makes you tick. This requires knowing yourself.

And lastly, don't beat yourself up for a few slip ups. Remember, "Rome wasn't build in a day."

Things I suggested:

• Listing and categorizing all that goes out from her wallet, as well as what comes in.
• Budget. Budget. Budget
• Since she is trying to maintain her weight, I suggested she skip the gym membership and take up running. In my years of running, I haven't seen a fat runner. For reals.