by Tannika Nikeya

Financially Healing

Current Economy

With the current economy, I know most of us are all feeling the financial pressures. Property taxes are high. Food costs have increased, and just overall, the cost of living. Even in my own personal life, things have been financially tight, debt piling up due to the cost of living, unforeseen circumstances, and issues that arose last year that we are still recovering from.

Financially Healing

However, I am learning about my relationship with money and learning to overcome certain mindsets and mismanagement. Not only am I on a healing journey, but I am on a financial mend, too. I am financially healing. Financial healing is a process of addressing and remedying unhealthy money patterns and relationships with money.

Some of the things I learned before and implement prior to us getting our home years ago helped me clean up my credit card debt and save money. So, I look forward to implementing these strategies again and applying such discipline this time around.

Discipline

One of my disciplines was to pay back debt one at a time and at least one debt paid back a year. The word of God says owe no man nothing, except love, and I would be happy to repay each debt and become debt free.

Word of advice: Never take out a personal loan and don’t have too many credit cards. Remember, credit cards and loans are borrowed monies, and they thrive on interest rates. So, if you are looking to get credit cards, one or two are all you need. And repay any amount spent each month in full.

Another thing I do is to pay the smallest to the greatest debt. Paying the highest interest rates I do not favor. Why? Because you see more of a progress with the smallest amount versus the highest interest rate, and that does something for your heart and morale when struggling with debt.

The second thing I am reimplementing is a budget. I have always used an Excel sheet as my budget tracker to map out my bills, expenses, and so forth. But after learning from a financial advisor that you have to create a budget that suits your lifestyle and not just your bills, that has been a game changer. And I pray to stick to my budget because I don’t, especially when using my debit card. So I plan to budget and try my best to stick to it.

I am not new to sharing on my platforms great products I have come across and use in my everyday life, but now I get to share them and earn a commission. I value your trust above everything else, and I want to be upfront with my new endeavor. I’m in the Amazon Associates program, and some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click and buy. But I promise I only recommend products I truly believe in and think will add value to your life.

Dave Ramsey

I also plan to go the Dave Ramsey route and use cash more. Using my debit card or credit cards, it is easy to over exceed your budget and not stick to it.

Trust God

Another thing I plan to do is work on doing the homework to mend my finances. I have also been working on investing more or diversifying. And eventually, I want to start a garden. Lastly, I plan to trust God and try not to let the current economy crisis worry me. My God shall supply my needs according to His riches in glory.

Stand on Business

Now, for some other financial tips, try to save an emergency fund, save for retirement, and also get your affairs in order like getting term or life insurance. I know no one wants to think about these things or dont always have the wriggle room to save like they need or want to but start somewhere. As adults, we have to plan ahead, be responsible, and be good stewards.

Reflection
What are some changes you are looking to make to better steward your finances?

Disclaimer
We, at Fruitful & Fabulous/Tannika Nikeya, are not certified financial planners or financial advisors. We do research and reference the sources that we use within our writing. The information provided should not be used as financial advice; it is used to promote financial literacy, financial literacy based from the Bible as well as discussion. The views, some of the experiences, and opinions on this site are that of the authors. Any suggestions or investment advice should be reviewed by a financial professional before acting on them.

This website will never share your email address or any of your personal information with a third party for any reason. We are excited to encourage financial literacy and health but it is your choice whether or not you use the information provided and at your own risk.

12.14.23

by Tannika Nikeya

What They Say

Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.

Faithful

One thing I hope people say about me is that I am authentic. And I hope people continually say what people have said about me and to me. That it is easy to share things with me or talk with me. I am trustworthy. They can count on me.

That Part

However, I am reaching that part of my life where concerning myself with what people think needs to hang out the window by a thread or be my view from across the street, and not my focus. Worrying about what others think can cost you living life and cost you your peace. Their opinions will be louder than God’s perspective and wisdom. You may be giving, trustworthy and serving like myself but mix people pleasing, anxiety, overthinking, and some unhealed factors into the mix, things can go haywire, and one can suffer unnecessarily as well as your authenticity can dwindle. So, be humble as well as chew the meat and spit out the bones of others’ opinions and advice. Heal and grow, and don’t worry about what others think. But do be authentic and do be kind.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29:25‬ ‭MSG‬‬
[25] The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.

The Healing Continues

So, I will now spend more time practicing what I say to myself. What do I hope I say about myself? And last but not least, what do I hope Jesus has to say about me.

WJWS, I Pray

“Oftentimes, she was afraid. She even stumbled, but she persevered with my grace and love. She overcame. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‭-‬9‬ ‭NLT‬‬
[6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

09.25.23

by Tannika Nikeya

Best Piece of Advice

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Life gives us experiences that can provide us with knowledge about living and give us lessons for ourselves as well as others. So, I am always grateful for advice that is from life’s experience, wisdom, genuineness, and compassion.

Here are some of the best pieces of advice I have received:

You can’t please everyone. My mom once gave me this advice. And she was right. And, although I have made major progress in my people pleasing reform, I still have a ways to go in my journey. You can’t please everyone, and everyone may also include those you love. You will go nuts trying to accommodate and please everyone. And even if you set out to try to please everyone, someone still may not be satisfied.
Take one day at a time. I don’t remember where I exactly got this advice, but it is definitely something I have come to learn as well as it is my life’s motto. It is often said to break a large task or goal into smaller tasks or steps as well as to study something in chunks. Life to me should be dealt with in the same manner. Take one day at a time. Do what you can today. Don’t overwhelm yourself or your schedule. Focus. Prioritize. Know when to rest and know when to go. Don’t rush life. You miss important lessons and moments. Don’t skip any steps in your journey of life, healing, etc. Don’t let life’s worries keep you in yesterday or force you in tomorrow (although I know it is easier said than done). Take one day at a time and keep living while doing so.
Do what is best for you. My best friend gave me this piece of advice, and it was words I needed to hear. Let’s put a disclaimer here: it doesn’t mean to neglect your responsibilities or those you love. Or to do what is best for you that will harm someone else. And sometimes, we don’t know what may be best for us, so we need to seek God. Yet choosing you and doing what is best for you is necessary when you know or are learning what is best for you. When you know your deal breakers, goals, and purpose, and you are not going to compromise. When you have to protect yourself and maintain your well-being. When you remember that you are the one who has to live with the decisions you have made. When you remember that your comfort (sans comfort zone) and peace too matter.

Alright, those are my best pieces of advice. I would love to know some of your best pieces of advice.