Motivated Monday - Don’t call it a comeback!

Hello lovies! I know you’ve missed your daily dose of the Bougie Budgetista because I know I’ve missed you too. In my writing sabbatical, I’ve come to experience many things and meet some AMAZING people. My vision has had a few revisions and now I’m back and better than ever! As some of my readers would say, I’m “down right motivated”!

So here’s the scoop – I met an amazing writer named Ashley Cisneros who has, for lack of a better phrase, lit a fire under my butt. She, like so many others I’ve come across, risked it all for her dreams, leaving a secure position in her field to explore new, more fruitful ventures. She’s now her own boss working on her own terms. A perfect portrait of a hustler, if you ask me. She has encouraged me to get back on my rock star status and write, write, write my way to my goal of working in my field while pursuing my passion in the fitness world. This project works in phases.

Phase one: Take your vision and make revisions

I had the opportunity to sit down with Ashley for brunch and just talk. Granted, we talked about everything from school to weddings to business ventures, successes and failures, and (most importantly) the lessons learned from it all. During our talk, I learned the importance of the “Everything but the kitchen sink” resume (officially known as a curriculum vitae, for you fancy folks) and tailor each resume to the position you’re applying for. Make your experience align with the job description to give yourself a leg up against the competition. Needless to say, I smacked my forehead and thought, “Now, why didn’t I think of that?” You know you can do it. You know you have the knowledge and skills to make that happen. Now think about all the qualifications you have to help you achieve your goal and put it on paper. Think about all the necessary steps you’ll need to take to get to finish line.

Phase two: You better (Net)Work, Honey!

I’ll admit, I’m not the best networker in the world. But I know people who are! And, believe you me, knowing is half the battle. Ashley, on the other hand, is a master at this art form. So, whether you’re a wall flower like me or a social butterfly like Ashley, the one thing we both recommend you do is get some business cards. You can make them yourself at home or have them professionally done. If you’re going to go the print route, I must recommend VistaPrint. They have amazing deals and wonderful customer service. Plus, what makes a bigger impression – ridges on your flimsy card and off center print, or 500 uniform, print quality cards that you only paid shipping for?

Phase three: Lights, Camera, and Plan of Action

Once you’ve figured out all the steps and possible side steps needed and met some key players in helping you achieve your goal, you now have to put your plan into action. Don’t have an action plan? Make one! Be it a vision board or a business plan or a mantra on a post-it on your bathroom mirror, you MUST have a visual representation of what you’re working towards. It’s a constant reminder that every single day, what you’re doing is getting you closer to where you want to be.

Through Ashley, I’ve met some wonderfully talented people. Where I lack, they have and vice versa. There is the potential for some seriously successful partnerships to flourish. But right now, I must focus on my writing. After all, that was step one in my master plan. If I am going to touch as many people as possible with my story and my passions, then I must write. 

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

The Budgetista Is M.I.A No More!

Hello, lovies! Last week was rather hectic, so posting wasn’t my main priority. For those of you suffering from Budgetista withdrawal, I have a week of thrifty deals to share with you. We’ll be talking about accessories, electronics, and an AMAZING blog I just came across. Also, for our weekly edition of Work It Out Wednesday, we’ll be discussing the dreaded plateau.

I hope you all had a happy Monday and may the rest of your week be simply fabulous!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Work It Out Wednesday - Preparing For My First Zumba Class!

When I went to Zumba Instructor Training, Beto (THE Zumba guy), told us there's no point in reinventing the wheel. The same basic moves are used over and over and over again in different combinations, directional variations, fitness variations and so much more. And I shouldn't be afraid to borrow bits and pieces of other people's choreography, then add my own flair. On Tuesday, I'll be leading a song in another instructor's class at Vixen. Though the routine is going to be a surprise, for the most part, here is an instructor out of Baltimore  that I admire. Don't be surprised if you see something similar to this in my first class.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Time is Money, So Save Some in the Kitchen!

A friend of mine once told me that he spent $600 per month on eating out. Ponder on that for a minute - $600 PER MONTH! Do you know how many Jimmy Choo's and Christian Louboutin's I could buy in a year with the amount of money he spends on FOOD?!? In short, tons. A really easy way to save both money and time is to plan meals and cook at home.

I know that cooking can take some time, but you'd be amazed at how many delicious, healthy meals can be made in 30 minutes or less. In half an hour, you could prepare food for at least two days (lunches and/or dinners), sometimes more. You'll need a few things to get started:

• Recipes - I love browsing the clearance section of bookstores for cheap cookbooks, but then again, I love browsing for books. If "free" is more your style, then check out AllRecipies.com or Food Network's site for boatloads of delicious fare. You can narrow down recipes by ingredients, method of cooking, and cook time. Try new fare. Be adventurous. Invite friends over for a potluck and swap recipes. Any excuse for a shindig sounds good to me!
• Crock pot - Slow cookers are a time cruncher's dream. You throw everything in, set the timer, and forget about it until it's time to eat a few hours later. Have you ever walked in a house that was just fragrant with herbs and spices that have been simmering all day? Well, once you have a slow cooker, welcome home! Those things make everyone a top notch chef. Maximum flavor and minimal effort. You can't beat that.
• Food containers - Once you've cooked up a huge batch of food (trust me when I say it's super smart to do this), you'll need to store it somewhere. Ziploc containers are easy to come by, come in several sizes and are truly inexpensive. After you're all done cooking, separate your delicious meal into individual servings and toss them in the fridge and/or freezer for quick and easy meals. It's so much cheaper than spending $10 per day on lunch and you know exactly what you're putting into your body, which makes for a healthier you and a healthier budget.

Every minute of your day is valuable, but so is every penny in your pocket. Save a little of both by throwing on your chef's hat every once in a while. As one of my favorite Food Network star, Paula Deen says, "Best Dishes," lovies!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista