Let me preface this by saying this is for those who are employed but it may work for those who are unemployed.

If you break free from all kinds of addictions, from food to drugs, and from people to habits, you’ll never have to worry about budgeting. That’s the simplest budget tip I can share. I’ve worked in finance and accounting for my entire life. Everyone has a vice. Where your money is, so is your heart. I can look at your spending and tell you who you are. Any and every able-bodied person has an addiction, a behavior that dictates their financial outcome. I promise. If you need an additional clue, look at your body. There’s one thing you can cut back on, or if you don’t want to, look for alternative sources of income to support that habit . I have stories for days, weeks, and even months. Trust me.

My dad is still working and feels compelled to minister. He’s very active. I hope to be fortunate enough to be like him and stay active. So busy that I rarely hear from him and my mom is dead, and her remains are sitting on a shelf in my home. Both situations feel so unreal.

I am giving thanks to God.

As a child, I always wanted to go to Disney World. Around 1994-1995, after school let out, my dad had to travel to the Bahamas on “ministry.” Mom and the kids were to stay with a friend in Orlando, Florida, for a few weeks (that’s a whole story in itself). We arrived early to “vacation.” My siblings and I begged to go to Disney World. My dad drove us to the entrance of Disney World and promptly turned around. I think this is where my acceptance of the bare minimum from people came from because I was excited to see the entrance. I told a few friends about this experience, and they were horrified. I thought it was funny. I used to tell Dad when I grow up I’ll pay to go and push you in your wheelchair at 90. It wasn’t until later in life that someone broke it down, that is what provoking a child is, and then later learning that there is a possibility, the money we could’ve gone with went to affairs, I probably won’t pay his way. He wouldn’t show up anyway, not his thing. Honestly, I’m not too sure I want to go, but taking my brother and sister instead sounds like a great idea. I’m sure the magic of going as a child will never be.

It’s going to be the size of a large walk-in closet with windows. Hopefully, it’s elevated so I can gaze at the sky. Definitely elevated to give it a treehouse feel. The view; a bustling city is a nice view, but if I see a beautiful forest, body of water, or mountain ridge, it all works for me. A high place. I’ve read that God and his imitators prefer high places… I guess I’m no different. My beloved plants will be there, a bookshelf filled with my favorite books, lots of pillows and stuffed animals, a hammock, and there it will be unique, antique lamps. Lastly there will be sun catchers strategically placed around the room.

My mother took me home from the hospital exactly 38 years to the day before her passing. I wonder if it was the same time. On May 27, 1983, and I saw her off to her heavenly abode on May 27, 2021.

We’d never know what’s wrong without pain.