Graduating B*B*J*B

It is that time of year again. People of all ages are receiving a piece of paper showing their accomplishments and I am lucky enough to be one of them. You may say, it is no big deal  but to me it is the biggest deal!!!

Here's my story.......

In New York, if a child is going to be turning 5 within the calendar year then can start going to school at age 4. So here I am with a december birthday mixed with seemingly older kids in pre-kindergarten. Little did I know this was the beginning of an uphill battle with my graduating. The school I attended had kindergarten and 1st grade (weird right?) So guess who didn't have a graduation after completing kindergarten?!?? ME!!

My parents placed me in PS 30 to begin first grade. At this point I didnt even know I missed out on anything. Until the end of 5th grade the biggest change I could face happened. My family moved to Virginia........ Where did this come from?!? I am a New Yorker.....what will I do there?? It didn't help that PS 30 graduates their elementary students after they finish the 6th grade not 5th. Wait a minute, another graduation passed me by.

All the while your siblings and friends are graduating. Something isn't right!!! But there was nothing I could do. Until the 8th grade. I'm thinking for sure I will finally get to walk across the stage in front of all my friends and family. What do you mean No Commencement Ceremony from Sterling Middle School???? Yes, that was me in the main office asking anyone who would listen. How is that possible?!?!? Do I just walk into high school? ?? The answer is yes. No graduation, no ceremony, just commence into high school. Literally!!

So here I am, doing all I can to not only graduate from High School but with all types of awards and recognition to go along with it. I was ready for them this time. But where do I end up?!?!? With a graduatation ceremony on the Sabbath...... first was shock, then reality hit. I made the decision to worship my Saviour on the Sabbath instead of glorifying myself and my accomplishments. Most people questioned me on my decision others probably laughed but I chose to keep my Sabbath reverent.

At this point most people have had 4 to 5 graduations and I have had 0, not one!! Can't even express how I felt, what I thought this meant, how this was going to define me. Until finally, after another four years of hard work and focus I obtained my bachelors degree from Andrews University at age 21. This time there were no exceptions I was going to get to walk across a stage, shake some peoples hands and receive my degree in front of my family & friends. What could possibly go wrong?!? Aside from my best friend not coming, sharing my big day with my brother, and my family not finding the seats on time.  The worst thing in waiting so long to graduate is no one seeing you finally so it!!!

So, graduating to some is no big deal but to me it is. On Thursday May 2, 2013 I will be graduating from University of Central Florida with a Masters degree is Non Profit Management and I welcome you all to view the commencement ceremony live at http://webcast.oir.ucf.edu beginning 2:00 pm.

Thank you all for your prayers, love and support. They are greatly appreciated. 

The Graduating B*B*J*B

Tax Season Ends. ...

As we come to a close of this years tax season, I want to provide my followers with some tips to help next tax season run a little bit smoother. 

It all begins with being organized. If you know you are not organized there are so many tools, resources and apps that can help you. So first run to Staples and pick up a financial organizer book. With some of the options you won't have to think you just add your invoices or receipts where it tells you to. Remember poor record-keeping just makes things harder down the road. So all you smart phone people download an app like mint.com or pageonce to track your expenses, mileage logs, and other deductible items.

I have listed some steps that I think will be most helpful to people before we head into the next tax season........

Step 1: Create a Tax Folder to drop all those important tax documents you accumulate during the year.

Step 2: Visit http://apps.irs.gov/app/withholdingcalculator/ to see about updating your withholding allowances to ensure your best refund next year.

Step 3: Pay your taxes!!!! You cannot expect a refund if you did not pay any taxes throughout the year.

Step 4: Do not ignore written letters from the IRS, call them and get them to explain what caused them to write you.

Step 5: Seek professional help with tax questions, there are individuals that know tax law not just because its fun but because they want to help you get your biggest possible refund. But they can't help if you don't ask. 

All the best to you!!!!!!

B*B*J*B

Honda Addict

On 6/6/06 I purchased my first Honda Accord and cannot seem to stop buying them. To date I am on my 3rd Honda Accord in a little over 6 years. I know I am a Honda Addict!!! But I wanted to share with you some of the good and some not so good decisions I have made regarding my car purchases in an effort to save someone from making a costly decision they will regret. Everyone thinks I never have spent a bad penny but I have not always saved good ones either. Here's my little story: Just after graduation I bought a 2006 Accord (weird right on 6/6/06 promised not planned).



In any case loved every single thing about it and Angelika loved me to. We lived in all parts of Florida until 2009 just exactly 3 years old things took a twist. There is one thing I don't like and it is repairing a car, which now I realize isn't the worst thing in the world. But you live and hopefully learn. So what do I do when my car starts costing money for repairs along with a car payment??? I follow the dealers false advertisements and go get a new car. Yeah I thought I was cool. Why pay out more money into an old car when you can put it in a new one. Right? So off my happy go lucky self goes and gets a 2010 Accord with even more features than before. The only problem was that I ate all of my equity which was about $4000 into a LEASED car. If you are reading this and and your not wealthy DO NOT LEASE A CAR!!! EVER! Sorry I had to get that out. Basically, you are wasting last every cent. So many people advised me not to do it and thinking I was grown and knew what I was doing I signed away every penny I had out into a car. Not to mention within months I transfered to a job that included 75% travel. So here I am with a beautiful car, new car payment, three more years of payments, no more equity, and the gaurantee that when my lease expires I would be without a car and still owe the financing company money for exceeding my mileage limits!!!! If I had kept my tail quiet I would have only had 2 more years of car payments, and then no payments at all, a car worth something, and the guarantee of actually owning a car.

We reach 2012 ready for lease to expire and I am back at drawing board. But since I serve an amazing God I was blessed to save enough money over the years to purchase a 2012 Honda Accord as beautiful as the rest at 0% interest with a 10 year warranty with no major affect on my monthly budget. This time here are no mileage restrictions and hopefully low maintanence. It's sad to be starting over but then I would not have been able to share this story with you.

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps someone make a good decision when deciding to get a car. Forever B * B * J * B