Tennis Grand Slam

So this year Serena Williams completed what tennis addicts call the "Serena Slam". Which means she held the title to all the tennis grand slams in a non-calendar year. So how do you do that?? It's done by having won the 2014 US open, 2015 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2015 Wimbledon. Not many people have done that nor can do that except Serena. 

This year we were hoping for her to receive a calendar year slam by winning the 2015 U.S. Open. My heart is broken at her loss but this year I have achieved my own version of a grand slam. Let's call it the BBJB Slam. 

No, I don't play tennis but I have attended all of them, that's gotta count for something, doesn't it?

Here's how!!

It all started when my sister decided she wanted to go to Roland Garros for her 30th birthday in 2011. I said "sure but how can we afford to do that?" We didn't know anyone in France and my little 4 years of French in high school wasn't going to be much help. It didn't matter we went to Paris for 7 days only and we fit in two whole days of tennis, 3 days of the most amazing site seeing experience I had ever encountered.

   

When we returned, I was now on a mission. On a mission to make it to them all, every last grand slam and do it on a budget. So I started saving every single dollar I could spare. 

So what was going to be next!?!? Well Wimbledon of course. And how lucky was I that the very next year the 2012 Olympics was being held at Wimbledon's England Lawn and Tennis Center!!! I couldn't believe my luck, I would get two for the price of one!!!! So literally weeks before the blowing of the torch, I jumped on a plane to London, England.

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Shout out to my cousin Benita in London that made my trip the most memorable trip for me. 

We did it all and saw it all.

 Well now that I was half done, nothing was going to stop me now except finding a way to make it to the most expensive one, the Australian Open. I had to get down under!! This took loads of savings and a ton of planning. 

But that I did and with my very best friend, Kandace. 

and included a special appearance:

So how did I close out this set of my tennis career?!?? Well right at home, in New York. The very place where I became me. 

Just minutes away from the place of my birth my cousin and I attended the 2015 US Open Championships.

That's my Game, Set & Match!!!! So what do you think??? Should I do all over again???

BBJB Slam

Grandfada

Memories don't live like people do. But they can be cherished. Especially when shared with those you love. My grandfather, Aldwyn, has and will always be the rock of our Beckles family. 

One of my favorite memories of him was that every year for my birthday I would get to go one-on-one shopping with him.  I could choose anything I wanted. It doesn't seem like much, but when you come from a poor family, any opportunity for a child to have anything they want is a dream come true. Looking back and just thinking about those days makes me want to cry. I would get a Barbie Doll, I knew I would have to make the clothes myself but that was ok with me because it was a brand new doll. I'm sure my grandfather could care less what I chose, just happy to give his grandchild something special. 

At one point, it was thought that he couldn't have children. But he was blessed, and his family grew to 9 children, 15 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren, He  left us on July 8, 2014 with a heart filled with joy. 

 Because he left a legacy.....

Before he left us, I was able to experience an exhilarated version of those birthday trips so long ago. At 80 years, I asked him to be my Black Friday driver. Now if you know me, you know I love shopping as much as some people can love eating. He held up all night thanksgiving and into the morning with me so I could get everything I needed for my first apartment. And although it was stressful on him he actually enjoyed himself. (one of our last conversations was how we could have done it better). He was in charge of finding parking and holding a spot in those long line for over 20 stores, now if that isn't love.

RIP Grandfada. You will be missed!!

Aldwyn's BBJB

Aldwyn Beckles

Budgeting 101

Many of my followers have requested my assistance in developing a budget crash course and what better time than in the beginning of the year. A while back I did a "Money Challenge" blog to encourage people to save money (a passion of mine). This blog I will layout a simple budgeting template that will guide anyone in planning a secure financial future. 

Let the budget planning begin.........................................................................

Plan 1: List Income and Expenses

Go through all of your income sources and bills and list each and every item receive/pay  (including quarterly, semiannually, and annual items). Notate the due date of each bill. 

For other than monthly bills, convert total due into a monthly figure (for example: if your insurance bill is due every 6 months. Take the total bill amount and divide by 6, place this figure in the amount column. This method allows you to include this bill within your monthly budget even though a payment is not made each month. Once you have listed all your bills compare the total to your monthly income. {INCOME - EXPENSES = Net Income/(Loss)}

Plan 2: Set financial goals

Why wait til your retired or worse become ill to state you wished you had traveled or tried new things or better yet enjoyed your life. 

Plan to do them now, while you still can!!! 

List your goals for life whether it be travelling, going back to school, trying out different restaurants or just pampering yourself every month. Shop around to find the best price that can fit within your budget and add them to it by specifically stating goal as a line item. 

Plan 3: Start saving

Saving should be looked at as a bill, money to pay for something that you need or want. For instance, you pay your phone bill each month. Look at saving just like that, a monthly bill. Once paid it's gone. That is until you need it. 

Let's say you decide you want to by a new computer, you've created you "New Computer" bill line item and you've been applying $100/month towards this goal. After 10 months, you've saved $1,000, you can now purchase a laptop without having to scramble funds from every and anywhere. 

Budgeting B*B*J*B

T-Time

It's Tax Time again!!!

I have always wanted to be a Financial Planner and although I am content as an Accountant, I wanted to lend a helping hand to my followers. Until February 15, 2013 I am doing an "Ask the Accountant" segment. Comment on my blog any tax questions you have and I will get an answer for you to get your maximum refund!!!!

Disclaimer: I am not a certified Tax Preparer nor do I work for the IRS. Any recommendations I make are based on the best available information. Seek a professional tax preparer for direct tax law questions.

Let the tax questions begin!!!!!

B*B*J*B Forever