MAYbe We’re Born With It. MAYbe It’s Flawed Financial Systems

Annoyed in pastels: **Dress:** Target **Sweatshirt:** Poshmark **Sneakers:** thrift store **Earrings:** Poshmark **Sunglasses**: Dollar Tree

Looking for ways to give back? Here’s one that’s fashionable too!

I stayed appropriately angry all through April, and the powers that be still did whatever they wanted.

I boycotted (and still am).

I stayed informed (and still am).

I thrifted this dress and found a matching one in Mila’s closet :)

*Just in case anyone is still believing that support for Palestine is antisemitic*.

I am still struggling with impulse spending. I feel like I am cycling through my bag of tricks from teaching and counseling and NOTHING IS WORKING.

Is my spending as bad as it was? Definitely not. However my depression and guilt around continuing to spend money on things I don’t need is STRESSING ME OUT. I don’t understand why I can’t stop.

Dress brightly when you’re feeling down. **Dress:** Poshmark **Tshirt:** thrift store **Fanny pack:** Poshmark **Earrings and Sunglasses:** Fashion Nova **Hat:** Target

*One of my favorite content creators has links to help too*

Which brings me to my MAY theme. I was inspired by the Maybelline quote: “Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline”

Maybe we’re born with it, Maybe it’s called Generational Wealth
Maybe we’re born with it, Maybe the System is Rigged
Maybe we’re born with it, Maybe it’s Crippling Debt

Maybe we’re born with certain habits, emotions and personalities that make our spending habits more extreme. Maybe we also grew up in a world where emphasis on financial education was not encouraged.

BUT…Maybe I’m also to blame here. Maybe I’m bad with money?

**Dress:** Target **Hoodie & earrings:** thrift store **Fanny pack & shoes:** Poshmark

Do you ever think you’re “bad with money”?

It was something I heard frequently while teaching and counseling. I’ve even thought it about myself.

The idea that someone is just “bad with money” doesn’t take into account all the other factors that influence someone’s behavior with money.

Poverty and poverty mindset
Behavioral and mental disorders
Impulse control issues
Survival mode
Personal values
Family/community values
Education or lack of
Generational wealth
Our credit system
Our housing system
Our judicial system
Our education system
Our healthcare system
Capitalism

The list goes on…

*Another one of my favorite creators with some excellent picks to give you a better understanding of what we are up against.*

So maybe you are not BORN with bad money habits. Maybe you are simply trying to survive the systems in place to keep us poor.

What can we do? Stay petty.

Staying petty, staying colorful. **Dress, earrings, & hoodie:** thrift store **Shoes & fanny pack:** Poshmark **Hat:** Target **Sunglasses:** Dollar Tree

The definition of petty in the dictionary is having little or no importance or significance. It may seem strange to combine it with finances, but the little details ADD UP.

Is it insignificant to check your balances everyday yourself so you know where EVERY penny is going?
Is it insignificant to scour every bill for errors, incorrect fees or incorrect billing to save yourself or family money?
Is it insignificant to donate $5 to a GoFundMe that could help get a family out of Gaza?

*If you can’t give money, show support other ways*

Some may argue yes, but those little actions ADD UP.

Taking small actions now to improve your finances, improve your education, or improve yourself, can make a big difference in the long run. But it takes TIME. PATIENCE. INTENTION.

If we all intentionally work to improve our spending habits, financial decisions and money behavior, MAYbe we have a shot.

*Mother’s Day DIY gifts: Sentimental Sweatshirts (I used the fabric for the letters out of Mila’s old baby clothes)*

In the meantime, continue to celebrate your money wins (no matter how small) and set your money goals (no matter how big).

Money Wins from April and May

Win: Only $57 on dining and eating out

Win: SOLD MY FIRST HANDMADE ITEM (a necktie belt)

Win: I completed not one, not two, but THREE DIY projects :)

**DIY project:** Transform Jackson’s bed (and bedroom) to a big boy room. We used cinderblocks to raise the shelf on his floor and make it a headboard.
**Skort & yellow button down shirt:** thrift store

Goal: Complete one month of a wardrobe freeze (tell me why I cannot stay away from the thrift store, sigh). It will stay on my goal list until I complete it!!!!

Goal: Pay off my credit card and do not use for one whole month.

***Handmade necktie belt: Goldenrod*** - I’m naming them so I can keep track better than tie #1, #2, etc…

***Handmade necktie belt: Plaids & Stripes***

***Handmade necktie belt: Hazel Brownie***

Fun Updates: I had to take a longer break than I wanted to from writing and social media because I was struggling with motivation and stressed from party planning. However a lot of great things happened that I need to catch up on.

May was the last time Alyse visited. Grief can really emphasize your emotions and actions in unexpected ways. Everything reminds me of her, and I miss her so so much.

On a lighter note, we adopted a new kitty: meet REGINALD (Reggie) - story to come :)

*Reginald is 2.5 years old. He was born April 3rd (Jackson’s original due date <3)*

Mila had her first birthday party complete with a 7 tiered rainbow unicorn cake (made by yours truly)

A huge shout out to Nicola, Lauren and Jess for helping me save the outside of the cake when my original decorating plan fell through!! Yay friends :)

Mila & her Lala. No party is complete without a giant unicorn sprinkler.

Finally, I wanted to share the following GoFundMe links for some of the people I follow here in Pittsburgh trying to help families get out of Gaza. Again, every little bit helps!

Even though it didn’t feel as much progress as I hoped, I felt a huge surge of confidence when I received my very first offer for something I made myself.

I’m going into June with a hopeful mindset, while remembering all those who are still suffering and need our help.

To further motivate myself to continue crafting, I want to donate 10% of each item I make to one of the organizations providing aid. Starting with the GoFundMe for Souhad’s family.