HOW TO NOT GO BROKE STRAIGHT AFTER PAYDAY

It doesn’t matter if you get paid at the start, middle or end of the month. It’s easy as a young adult who might not need to pay bills or buy the food shop to just spend it all at once then have to beg borrow and steal your way through the rest of the month. There is nothing worse than having to say no to plans because your broke or as we say up north ‘skint’. I’ve been there and it’s awful but recently I have been getting better with my finances and here are some tips for you. 

• PLAN AHEAD

This sounds so grown up and boring, I know, but the key to not going broke immediately is to plan ahead and budget. What do you need straight away? E.g a new laptop charger.  What do you have to pay for that month? E.g Gym membership or a birthday present. Write it down and track your financial priorities. Where is your money needed that month? Try and pay for these things within the week of payday, so if you get paid on the 24th of every month try make sure that anything you need to buy or direct debit payments are scheduled a few days after payday so then whatever you have left is all yours. 

• TAKE OUT A SECRET STASH 

So in the past what I’ve done is put an emergency fund away, e.g taken the money out in cash and then put it in a safe place. Or you could just move it to another account. This is so if you do go a little spend crazy towards the start of the month you won’t be completely broke by the end, you will still have some money left to survive until the next pay day. 

• BUDGET 

Try to have a weekly allowance. So if your wage has to last you 4 weeks until the next payday then divide your wage by 4. You could take this amount out in cash week by week, so when it’s gone, it’s gone or you’ll just have to be really mindful and strict on yourself by keeping a frequent check on your bank balance. Simple, right. 

• USE DISCOUNTS/ CODES/ STUDENT ID

Taking advantage of offers and discounts is the foolproof way to save money and ultimately avoid going broke straight after you’ve just been paid. If you have prioritised something to buy post-payday then shop around to make sure you are paying the best price for it. Also if you’re entitled to additional discounts e.g student discount, NHS blue light discount... USE IT. I honestly always forget to use my student discount and sometimes it can be 20% off or more. Voucher codes is a must have app if you like to go out a lot. There are lots of voucher codes for restaurants and bars and it’s completely free. No one said the way to not go broke straight after pay day is stay inside, go out but just don’t spend what you’ll regret in the morning. 

• HAVE PERSPECTIVE  (know that it has to last)

Being good with money is all about knowledge. Be mindful that this amount must last for so long when you bare that in mind it is so much easier to not run out of money because in the back of your mind you are asking yourself ‘If I buy this or do this will I have enough money to last until my next pay day?’ 

I hope my tips have helped, even just using one of them will significantly reduced the risk of going broke immediately after pay day, I promise. 

HOW TO ACTIVELY CHALLENGE RACISM

As we become adults we have the opportunity to make a political impact, when we are given the right to vote at age 18 (in the UK) we have a chance to democratically support what is important to us. But more importantly, you should always support movements that move you. Regardless of age, you have a voice, one that can be used to bring about change, so raising awareness and supporting campaigns and movements should become a part of your life. 

I am guilty of not standing up enough. Not shouting out enough. But this ends today. On Monday the 25th of May 2020 George Floyd, an innocent black man, was murdered by a racist ex cop in Minneapolis, USA. Despite gasping “I can’t breath” his callous murderer continued to choke him by pressing his knee on his neck. 

Along with feeling pain, outrage, grief and frustration I couldn’t stop asking myself, how and why is this still happening? 

For hundreds of years black people have been subject to racism, discrimination and prejudice. This problem is so deeply rooted within our society that it lives on today, centuries later. But it has to stop. We can not let more innocent lives be lost due to nothing but a darker skin tone. We will end racism, but it’s a collective effort. Through education, campaigns, protests, increased awareness and a unified intent to support the movement of #blacklivesmatter. 

If you care do something. I urge you to actively be a part of the movement. And here is how you can do just that: 

• GO OUT AND PROTEST

When was change ever made by sitting at home and doing nothing. NEVER. When lockdown is over in the UK and it is safe to do so. Search for local protests and demonstrations in support of the blacklivesmatter movement. Turn up and get involved. If there isn’t one local to you, travel or organise one, with support of your local council of course. 

• SIGN PETITIONS THAT DEMAND CHANGE 

Protests aren’t for everyone and that’s okay. But don’t do nothing. NEVER do nothing. Petitions are essentially an online protest. With great numbers, change can be made so please sign them, it takes minutes and will grant justice and save lives. 

• DONATE TO VICTIMS FAMILIES 

It is the family of the victims that suffer the greatest when they lose a loved one as a result of institutionalised racism. The least that can be done in the honour of the victim and for the grieving family is to achieve justice. But let’s show even more compassion by donating to fundraising pages set up for the victim to cover funeral costs and financially support the family in any way they need it. 

• SPREAD AWARENESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA 

The influence of social media is incredible, it’s ability to reach so many allows the movement’s support to increase making us closer and closer to positive change in society. Push to punish racist police officers or racist people, by sharing factual based posts and also help good police officers or those that challenge racism. Don’t allow the good ones to be tarnished with the same brush as the bad ones. 

• ALWAYS REPORT INCIDENTS OF RACISM 

If no one had been at the scene of George Floyd’s death. If it hadn’t been filmed and brought to public attention then it would be another death of an innocent black person that gains no media exposure, fails to achieve any justice. I dread to think how many unreported, low media profile cases there are of racist hate crimes, murders and cases of police brutality. ALWAYS speak up and report any incident you witness. By doing so you are making black lives matter and helping victims achieve the justice they so deserve until we eradicate racism altogether. 

All black lives matter. Now and always. Ultimately it’s the passivity of white people that holds racism in place. EVERYONE needs to speak up. Only in solidarity will we make a permanent change.

Let’s end racism for good.

5 FEARLESS WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF LOVE

Loving yourself is so bloody important. I remember learning a tiny bit about relationships in ‘Life’ class at high school, but a relationship with yourself was never a topic that was discussed. You are your own best friend, motivator, life coach and uplifter. You have a relationship with yourself and should learn to love the person you see in front of that mirror just as much as you freely love others. 

1. PRACTICE SELF COMPASSION 

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to your body, skin, mentality, surroundings, feelings and just everything. I hate the saying ‘You’re your own worst critic’ why do we have to critique ourselves. Can’t we be our ‘own best motivator’ or our ‘own biggest fan’. Be your own best friend, like if your friend was struggling you’d ask them Are they okay? What do they need? How can I help? It’s this same voice of kindness that we have towards our friends we should practice towards ourselves. Make your inner voice a supportive and warm one. 

2.  STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS 

‘Comparison is an act of violence against the self’ - Iyanla Vanzant

It’s easier said than done, I know, but stop comparing yourself. You are unique and bring something individually beautiful to the world. No one else is you, and essentially that is your power. Growing up in the age of influencers, reality tv, Instagram, YouTube, makes it so accessible to compare our appearance and success to others. Focusing on the lives of others is only wasting precious time and energy focusing on your own. It adds no meaningful value to our lives, it just distracts from fearlessly loving yourself. 

3. OWN WHO YOU ARE 

This is it hunny. You are who you are. While you can improve aspects of it, you’re stuck with your persona/appearance for life and it’s as simple as that. Don’t ever feel the need to change who you are to impress or to fit in. Don’t aspire to copy someone else’s life. Be the best version of YOURSELF for yourself. 

4. BE GRATEFUL 

In life there are many things we don’t have but then there are also many things we do have. When choosing to place emphasis on what you might not have, yet, or may never have, you are failing to be grateful for all the amazing blessings in your life. Waking up with a roof over your head, with food in your stomach, with financial stability, with a healthy body are all things to be grateful for as others aren’t as fortunate. There are journals to practice gratitude and although I have never purchased one or tried it out, writing down 3 things your grateful for everyday (or even just one) is a fantastic way to be more grateful for what you have and love the life you’re living. 

5. Maintain a positive mindset

It’s fine to feel low, everyone does from time to time. But on the whole try to maintain a positive outlook on life. See the glass as half full instead of half empty. Discover your purpose, believe in yourself and be motivated to take action and achieve your goals. Positivity goes side by side with self love, improving your happiness will boost your self esteem and self love. Another thing to remind yourself daily is that you are not only loved by yourself but by others too. 

These are just some very simple ways that I practice self love.

Always:

Love yourself 

Accept yourself

Forgive yourself