Teach a Man to Fish…
In December 2005, I started writing this blog to hold myself accountable and to track progress towards achieving my financial goals. And I thought, by chance…maybe…just maybe, I would inspire someone along the way.
Over the past three years, hundreds of people have emailed me to say I’ve inspired them. HUNDREDS, I SAY! That’s pretty impressive, huh? Although I enjoy reading those emails, words are just words. Many times, I wonder “What have I inspired you to DO differently?” or “How have your ACTIONS changed as a result of something I shared?”
I already know my story inspires others. Overcoming odds, any odds, is inspirational. But rarely does my story drive ACTION. Anyone who knows me personally or has read my blog for a long time knows that I’m about ACTION. If you SAY I’ve inspired you, inspired you to DO what? If you haven’t put your words into ACTION, then that’s all you have…WORDS. Don’t talk about it, BE about it.
I also know it’s easier said than done for many people. Trust me, I understand that. Over the past three years, I’ve also helped readers financially. I didn’t know them from a can of paint and I’ve paid phone bills, electric bills, after school care bills, payday loans, etc. I paid the bill/creditor directly – I’m generous, not stupid. But it doesn’t matter, it’s just money…a temporary band-aid solution for a long term problem.
If sharing my financial story is not inspiring you to DO something to CHANGE your financial situation, then I have failed. But as soon as I begin to lose interest in blogging, I get the following email from a fabulous reader:
Hi Single Ma
I hope all is well with you and your family. [info redacted]. I returned to school three years ago and I am graduating this May. Your blog inspired me and I just wanted to share my story with you. I already found a job for after graduation and I will be attending graduate school in the fall. As soon as I am gainfully employed, I will be on my way to financial freedom like you.
Thank you for sharing your stories…
Now this is the type of email I wish I could receive EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!!
To give you all a little back history, this reader is a single mom. She used to blog so I’m not disclosing anything she hasn’t already shared on her blog. The reader made a very difficult decision to leave her job, relocate, and return to college full time – only after researching a unique educational program that met the needs of her family structure. The program allowed her the flexibility to work part time while being the sole caregiver for her family and carry a full time courseload. So for three long years, she did the damn thing!
To my dear reader, THANK YOU for sharing your story with me (us) and CONGRATULATIONS to you and your family!! I know you’ve treaded a LOOOOOOONG road and it isn’t over yet. But it will be SO worth it in the end. You’ve made many sacrifices, but let me tell you something from experience, you will be giving your daughter the greatest gift of all…a lifestyle based on freedom of choice.
Freedom to live without worrying about food, bills, creditors, government assistance, etc.
Freedom to make decisions based on the greatest overall benefit to your family, not an immediate need.
And most importantly, freedom to pass on generational wealth: knowledge, experience, life lessons, and a comfortable financial foundation.
Congrats again and good luck with your new job and grad school!
This blog is all about Finance, Fitness, Fashion & Fun - the sum of my life. If you like what you've read, feel free to subscribe via (feed reader) or (email) to follow along.
Talking about Great inspiration this morning, Thanks!
I get inspired when I hear successful stories and I’m very excited for this young lady, Peace & Blessings to her and her child, keep doing your thing young lady, as well as you Single Ma, you have inspired me as well, I will send you a email pertaining to how you inspired me.
I Love your blog, so please continue girl, you have fans girl, don’t ever think about leaving us!
I’m kidding!
Awesome! I’m very happy for her. What program did she find? That might be helpful to me as well.
I know blogging is a lot of work but you can’t quit! Well you could but I’d be really said if you did!
Hi SingeMa, you inspired me to write about my hellacious financial experiences too. Through reading your posts and educating myself about all things financial, I achieved my goals a lot sooner than I thought. I sold the blog for a little change and kept it moving. You inspire more people than you ever thought possible girl. Keep up the good work.
SingleMa, your blog is one of my favorites financial blogs. The information (and stories) you share are educational, as well as inspiring. I have learned a lot about credit from your blog. (I don’t carry a balance and didn’t realize that closing a cc could hurt one’s FICO score.)
I, also, recommend your blog to my friends and acquaintances who are trying to get out of debt and achieve financial independence.
Blessings,
ElleX
SingleMa,
You have truly inspired me, as well. I discovered your blog a little over a year ago when I dropped in the key words “Single Mother Homebuyer” in Google. Of course, several sites popped up and I clicked on yours. I’ve always sort of been a spectator on your blog, but wanted to know how to buy a house, given that I was an “educated”, single mother with bad credit, minimal child support and just a dream of becoming a homeowner. I could not believe the similarities we shared – educated, thirtysomething, a babygirl, a Mr. Eye Candy and an affinity for fabulous shoes.
I studied your blog (and other sites) and put together an “ACTION” plan to get it done. I cleaned up my credit (removed all the collection items, yuk!), opened secured credit cards (now I’m a fan of CCs), started saving money (this was actually a little foreign to me) and successfully closed on my first home in December 2008 (could not pass on the $7500 homebuyer credit).
Now, I have imparted what I have learned in the past 8-12 months on my girl in Southern California and I received a text this morning that she is in “Escrow”. I have truly experienced the joy that it is better to give than to receive. So with that, I hope that this comment has inspired you to keep blogging :). Although this is my first comment I have posted to your site, I intend for this to not be the last. It is the small accounts of your daily life, behaviors, and attitude towards PF that have inspired me to change my life (and others) – IN A BIG WAY!