The Nguzo Saba #5 Nia - Purpose

I must say today was an exhausting one, but I have made a commitment and even if its late the celebration continues!! This principle comes amazingly on time as I spent half my day reflecting on one of the particular dreams I have, to become a mother. I can't exactly remember when it hit me that I REALLY wanted to be a mom, but when it did it hit me hard and I have been going strong ever since. I think being a mom is the most beautiful calling God can have on a woman's life. Was it intended to be that way? I have no idea, all I know is that I pray I get to experience such a blessing times 4.

We all have a purpose in life, be it to help others, to create some of the most amazing creations of all time, or to be a beacon of light in only a few peoples life. What ever your purpose is, remember it has a meaning. I talk a LOT about finances and things but ultimately I want to be able to have children that will be true testimonies of their mommies accomplishments, I want to leave them a legacy not debt.

So as I keep this post extremely short (because I'z tired) I encourage those who have yet to discover their purpose, to do so as soon as you can. When you realize What God has called you to do, its an amazing feeling and one worth sharing with those around you....

The Nguzo Saba #4 Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics

The fourth Kwanzaa principle, Ujamaa, honors the value of cooperative economics. The definition of cooperative economics is "local people cooperating with each other to provide for the essentials of living." The essentials of living include food, clothes, housing, education, and entertainment.

I loved this particular principle because it has much to do with building businesses which I am all for! If anybody knows me I am always on a "new" venture of some sort, charge it to the libra in me. A few years back I obtained my real estate license and in the next 2 years will have earned a license to do hair as well. Why all this you ask? Well because those are two things I enjoy and eventually want to do both as full time employment and after reading this principle, it also helps my community!

Now from what I hear around town, our economy isn't the best for finding regular employment but why does it have to end there? I think it has never been a better time to start your own business, more importantly doing something that you love, which might actually fall under one of the categories of the Ujamaa principle. Even better than all this is those of you who are currently working a full time job, who don't have any additional sources of income if that one was to go flat. I never thought of my ventures as potential fall backs until I started this blog and now I realize the importance of it.

This day isn't just about building and maintaining businesses but its about creating a business doing something you love, ultimately leading to wealth and a much more joyous life. People talk a LOT about starting businesses with loans, but I am here to tell you that YOU DON'T NEED IT. Michigan has a program called no worker left behind to help you get training in certain fields for free. There are a tone of start up companies that cost little to no money, all you need is a laptop and a decent internet connection.


I honestly believe that once you start doing smart things with money, doors open up that you never thought would, I have experienced that first hand. So lets work together, build businesses and serve each other while building wealth I know it can be done so lets get it!

The Nguzo Saba #3 Ujima-Collective Work and Responsibility

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together. Ujima recognizes and respects collective work, struggle and progress. This principles purposes that African Americans are responsible for their progress and achievements, as well as their failures. Ujima also purposes, that communication is key in the relationship of African Americans to one another. Reconciliation, after conflict is of utmost importance in practice, commitment and in the principle of Ujima.


As I reviewed the definition of the particular principle, it struck a chord with me that I did not anticipate. On of my biggest issues among our community is that we don't help each other enough. We have come a very long way and the fruits of our ancestors labor is so evident. But sometimes it's hard to tell in the midst of seeing families fall apart. This is why it was so important to bring financial peace university to my community. I feel as though once enough of us are exposed to our own truths and failures, we can begin to uplift and rebuild each other back up and in turn help another. If we don't shed light on the situations, they can't be fixed.

A good friend of mine was explaining to me why she though marriage was not such a good idea in these days. It hurts me to continually hear people talk about losing faith in each other when we should be pulling closer together. Now I don't profess that I know how to fix a marriage, but I will attest to knowing how to communicate with each other helps a LOT. We as people have got to stop living on our own little islands and having this every man for himself mentality especially when it comes to the area of finance. Someone told me I needed a college degree in order to talk to people about money and I eagerly begged to differ. My life experiences have taught me way more about money than any
pedigree ever could. Do I still believe in college? Absolutely but living is also a teacher.

So what am I saying after all this ranting? Get out and go help someone. I'm starting to notice this Theme after each post and the message gets more clear every day. I want people to be successful but ya gotta want it for yourself. Stop making excuses for why you can't help each other and either get better so you can help, or stop complaining enough to go find help. It's time out for selfishness and pride. Let's be the people we claim to be and love one another through showing kindness and respect. I believe when you begin to do these things, the rest follows.

The Nguzo Saba #2 Kujichagulia - Self Determination

Self Determination : refers to independence and control over one’s life. It is an ordering of one’s desires and determination to purposefully control one’s destiny. ...

Now based on this definition one might argue that "WE" don't have control over anything God does. While I do believe God is ultimately in control, he also give us control as well. I don't recall God telling me what to wear this morning, what to eat, or what to buy at the after Christmas sales. People who say God is in control are using him as an excuse not to take responsibility over things that THEY should already be doing.

As I read the news each day it looks more as though the government is in control. With the new health care bill in place, the control over businesses, religion and who knows what else its a wonder why we as people wouldn't want to be responsible for anything at all. I have been independant for most of my adult life and more recently began to realize my calling or my "purpose" in life. I would be devastated if someone told me that my dreams can't come true because "THEY" suddenly had control over my life instead of me.

When I look back over the last 5 years over my life I realized debt had control of me. My dreams where put into a little tiny box never to be opened. I felt I was nothing, had no desire to be anything more than what I was. Since I have been paying off debt I started to see many more dreams that I could actually attain. Like being a stay at home mom working from home, being able to have 4 kids (God willing) instead of one or 2, completing college with no debt, traveling the world and the list goes on.

It is a desire of mine to make sure people see beyond their 4 walls, but in order to do that you must be willing to change your current state of mind. Money certainly doesn't mean everything to me, but if I am to be a good stewart I must make plans for it and my future.

So today I challenge people to be determined to do something different. If there aren't any jobs create one, if you have been putting off children because of debt.. DON'T if you want to go to college debt free, start applying for scholarships and dedicate a summer to just that. What ever it is make sure you realize your dreams and follow through. We all have stumbling blocks at some point in time but its how we handle the block that gets us through. You do have control, you do have the power that God gives you to be what ever you want to be in life. Once you believe that.... you have already won!

The Nguzo Saba #1 Umoja - Unity

Welcome to the very first Divine Debt Free Kwanzaa celebration! I must admit when I first thought of this idea I assumed it was going to be pretty simple. As the days grew nearer I realized I had not figured out one post yet!! But don't fret because I am the queen of last minute stuff and amazingly my best work is done so you are in for a treat!

Our first principle is all about Unity which happens to be one of my favorite principles of all of the seven.

Unity : Concord; harmony; conjunction; agreement; uniformity; as, a unity of proofs; unity of doctrine.

Ever heard of the saying it takes a village to raise a child? Well the saying also applies to building a community of financially savvy people. I started this site to help promote financial literacy not only on the world wide web but here in my town. Money can be such a taboo topic, but it can also be one of the worst things to destroy us as people. If I spend an hour, or 20 minutes helping someone figure out a budget or teaching someone about how to write letters to credit card companies I am doing what I am passionate about. Eventually I want to start a company dedicated to helping people pay off debt and prosper. We as people should be about leaving legacies to our children not debt!!

So my challenge for everyone this Kwanzaa season, is to Educate your community. It doesn't have to be about money but it can be about anything positive you feel your community needs to know! REACH ONE TEACH ONE TOGETHER!

If you can start a blog about something your passionate about or have expertise in, or create a community or church news letter. Maybe your good at taking pictures and you can help people capture priceless moments. Whatever it is get out and spread some knowledge because no matter how old we get we all could use more. Non of us can do it alone but together I KNOW we CAN!

If you have an idea or project that you would like to promote here, feel free to contact me and I will do my best to spread the word.

HAPPY KWANZAA !

Celebrate Kwanzaa Divine & Debt Free Style

Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. It is a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa, means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than18 million people worldwide.

Instead of bringing in the new year with the usual resolutions, we are going to be affirming The Nguzo Saba • (The Seven Principles) and using each day to practice a Kwanzaa principle while relating to financial growth. Divine and Debt Free always promotes growth, action, responsibility and discipline and Kwanzaa represents all of these actions and much more. Kwanzaa runs from December 26th to January 1st. There are 7 Principles which we are going to focus on:

Umoja (Unity)

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Ujim (Collective Work and Responsibility)

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

Nia (Purpose)

Kuumba (Creativity)

Imani (Faith)

Again starting December 26th (Tomorrow) We are going to use each principle to explore how we can incorporate these values into our every day journey with debt and financial matters. This is my first time doing this and I hope it is something I can continue each year. I pray everyone has had a wonderful holiday and I look forward to sharing Kwanzaa Divine & Debt Free Style with all of you!!

Financial Peace University Hosted By Divine Debt Free!

It is a privilege and honor to announce your newest coordinator of Financial Peace University, ME!!!

Yup you heard it first here, I will be coordinating the first community FPU class right here in Lansing Mi. Those of you who have been with me since the beginning know how I have always talked about hosting a class, well the time has come!!

I was able to contact the manager at my apartment complex and they have agreed to holding the class at the club house, which is an amazing deal!! I am so excited to host a class because you get to watch lives change over a few months. I remember when I first joined Financial Peace University I was a hawt mess. In a few months everything became different and now I get to share my story with others live and in person!!

The class will begin Feb 2nd and run through April. I have wonderful friends who are supporting the event, Rina Risper of NEW CITIZENS PRESS will be advertising in her paper through January which is also very exciting. So if you are in the Lansing area come check us out!!