Grown-Up Checklist

  

    Long time, no post! I hope all of you are doing great and have enjoyed their summer break so far. As for me, I decided to take a much needed break from basically everything except for work- seriously. Thank you to those who reached out on Instagram and other social media sites to make sure I had not dropped off of the face of the world, it was much appreciated. I promise I’ll explain everything in my next post, but for now I want to talk about a topic a lot of my friends and I joke about: The “Adult” things we wish we could do and want to learn before graduating college. Let’s get started ! 

1. Credit Scores

   For starters, I didn’t know anything about credit until I had to take out a student loan. Since then I’ve had nothing positive to say about credit scores. I only say that in regards to my lack of knowledge and having a person who explained credit to me in a way that not only would make sense but would give me confidence enough to make better choices. Credit affects numerous aspects of certain things I’d like to obtain as I get older such as a home. 

2. How To: Balance a Checkbook, CORRECTLY.  

   I have had a banking account since I was 16, but I didn’t actually use it until I was around 18 or 19 which was great except I had moved away from home to attend school. So, picture it: a 19 year old in Atlanta, GA with basically a new checking account and more money than she necessary needed but didn’t have a clue what to do with it or how to keep track of it. Don’t get me wrong, I had tons of fun but the cost was definitely not worth the additional stress. 

3. Master Taxes/IRS

   This is something I’ve come into recently. My first encounter with the IRS or taxes in general was last year when I attempted to do my own taxes, mind you, I was only 20. Warning: if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, DON’T DO IT & DON’T LET YOUR FRIENDS DO IT; even if they say they know what they’re doing, just save yourself the headache and go with your parents or visit your university and have someone help you. That’s all I’m gonna say with that one. 

4. INVEST! 
   I would love to learn the depths of investing. I was officially introduced to investing by one of my friends when I was younger, but at the time I didn’t take it too seriously. Investing has always seemed to scary to me due to its risks involved, but when done correctly it can be an amazing decision. People always say to invest in self, so why not invest in any way possible?  

5. How To: Start & expand a business 

   Given this day and age, there are a plethora of entrepreneurs dominating every aspect from fashion, beauty, children’s school supplies, health, and the list goes on. It’s great to know that you want your own business or corporation, but how to achieve it is the biggest question for me. Being that I’m looking into expanding my own brand, wondering where to start is always a wonder for me. Now, as many would say, starting a business is easy but making it long lasting may take more work. What kind of work? I’m not sure but whenever I figure it out, I’ll let y’all know. 

6. Learn about Real Estate

   After the economic crisis in 2008 due to the horrible situation in the Real Estate industry, I believe everyone should know a little something about it. Especially if you’re wanting to own a home, getting to know a few of the ends and outs of this industry is good. 

7. Travel on a Budget 

   I haven’t gone on many trips, but those I have gone on have been pretty expensive once I sat down and crunched the numbers. I think I speak for every college student or person wanting to travel that being able to see the world and not break the bank. 

8. Retirement 

   During high school, we were told that retirement was a thing of the past and we’d probably have to work for the rest of our lives while taking care of our parents. I know I wasn’t placed on this Earth to work, pay bills, and die so a retirement plan is a must- especially how to get savings started and set aside properly. If you’re interested in learning more check out: https://www.personalcapital.com/financial-software/retirement-planner for more! 

   And that’s it ! I might come up with some more later, but those are the ones that mean the most to me. What are a few of your items you’d life to check off of your Grown-Up checklist? Let me know in the comment section below. I will be back with a life update, so be on the lookout for that. As always, I hope you loved this as much as I loved sharing it with you. 

   Talk to you later, 

         Leah La’Rae 😘

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Dreams Are Built Overnight Review

     Hey loves, I hope everyone has had an awesome week; things have been insane here since it’s GPA Awareness month and final exams have begun-let me tell you, teachers have a great way of piling on everything all at once. Granted, I’ll cover all of that on a different day but today i wanted to discuss something and someone who has entered my life and little does he know has begun a change in my life by opening the opportunity of being around like minded people. Have you ever been brought into a situation where you found yourself seriously reevaluating yourself and seeing the greatness ahead if you incorporate blind faith and hard work? And I’m not talking about a few flaws here and there, but getting to a point where you find that it’s not your environment but the deep issues that are harbored and have stunted your growth in your most loved ventures. I was brought into an open and successful environment from a close friend and personal trainer, Tyler George and to this day I’m more thankful for that now than ever before.

    Let me introduce you to David Shands- founder of SleepIs4Suckers, an inspirational speaker, life coach, entrepreneur, author, and from what I know about this man- he is nowhere near where I think he can go. So, a little background information on his story: from a below average high schooler to a college dropout to an entrepreneur on the rise to bigger and better things. His unique brand SleepIs4Suckers is geared toward the everyday person working to make their daydream into a reality and follow the “work now, sleep later” mentality. Established is 2010, his brand has expanded from a small start up with wristbands to a complete clothing line with catchy slogans that force one to hold themselves accountable for the time spent working toward their dreams. Dreams Are Built Overnight touches on key trials many face when wanting to become an entrepreneur, but also points out gives life lessons along the way and he also share his strategies during the beginning stages in entrepreneurship.

 

   1 week, Spring Break to be exact. I didn’t want to go out or do anything if it didn’t align with the dreams I have visualized on my board back home. I almost felt guilty for doing anything outside of reading this because all I wanted to do was continue to learn. I can honestly say that this book is proof that no one should be afraid to enjoy the process of being a work in progress. Never be afraid of a small or humble beginning, because what you consider as small can be a huge step of faith to another person.

                 I took notes on notes on notes, literally as a way to see where I have gone wrong and why my passion for writing began to dwindle. So, this book was a way of therapy for me because I was in search of a business answer to use to excel my progress but instead I had a huge wake up call to reevaluate myself. The frustrations and growth is painful, but one can one just cease their work because things tough nor can we allow our worry to shake our blind faith to become the person we are destined to become. 

   If I were asked what my favorite chapter would be, I couldn’t tell you and it’s because if I were to pick one or a few chapters then the full message wouldn’t be completely comprehensible, but my biggest takeaways from this novel is:

1. Be like Nike- just do it, wholeheartedly. Just start with what you have and the rest will come along.
2. We don’t plan to fail, we fail to plan. 
3. Tunnel Vision is what will keep you on track when the stresses of everyday life comes along. 

   This book is a page turner that is made so simple that there is no reason for someone to remain lost unless they just don’t read the book. This is definitely for the ones who want to hear the hard truths and insight on certain aspects of building a better self, I mean you are a walking brand whether you want to start a business or not. 
  
   I highly recommend this book and following his journey; even now, I’m up working and listening to a conference call with likeminded individuals who are just as insightful and hungry for success. I truly love the family of people I have come into contact with over social media and in person. I’m telling you, it’s insane what one can learn and begin to do when you change your environment and yourself to begin to divulge into exactly what has been destined for you. 

   Alright guys, I could go into depth on this book by chapters but we’d be here all day. You can find David Shands on http://www.sleepis4suckers.com and @SleepIs4Suckers on Instagram. As always, thank you for reading along and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed sharing it. You can find me @LeahLaRae__ on Instagram and LeahLaRae on Snapchat- I love connecting with you all. Until next time! 

          Talk to you later, 

                 Leah La’Rae 😘