I turn 26 on Jaunaury 26, so I have a little less than 2 weeks to accomplish this mini bucket list
1. Start a history blog
2. Have 350+ followers on instagram √
3. Start my tshirt business
4. Work out at the gym or at home 4/5 times a week
5. Run 3 times a week √
6. Read 5 books
7. Finish watching shows on Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime √
8. Weigh 115 pounds
9. Run 10 miles √
10. Run a 5k in 30 minutes or less √
Although many people consider 2016 to be a horrible year, mainly because of the presidential election, it was a really good year for me. Here are a few good things about 2016 for me.
1. I finally started running. Every year, I would add running on my bucket list. However, I would never actaully start running. Throghout the year, I used the treadmill and occasionally ran. In August, I decided it was finally time to start running outdoors. It was very difficul for me at first. I had a hard time running just one mile. I continued running and by the end of the year, I was able to run 8 miles! I also competed in five 5ks around my community. My times ranged from 27 minutes to 38 minutes.
2. I was a fan of wrestling when I was younger but once I turned 9/10, I stopped watching. Started watching again in November/December 2015. Last year I was able to go to not one, but three WWE events at the Staples Center. Two were Monday Night Raw events and one was a WWE live event. It was cool seeing my favorites in person. I got to see Roman Reigns, The New Day, Charlotte, and others. This year I want to see more shows and I’m even going to Wrestlemania in Orlando, Florida!
3. I finally started working out more frequently. My mom signed up the whole family for the gym in January 2016. I started going at least 3 times a week. My fitness level has improved so much in just one year. From September to December, I took a fitness class at my gym. It was tough! A lot of cardio and weight lifting, but it was worth it. Once school is over, I will take the class again.
4. Spent the day with one of my best friends watching tennis at Indian Wells. It was my 4th year in a row going with her, her bf, and her brother. We are going again this year, can’t wait!
5. Got my first car! I got my license back in 2015, but it wasn’t until 2016 (July 31 to be exact) that I finally was able to buy my own car. I love it. Not having to go everywhere in the bus was great and now I had more time to do other stuff, which is why I was able to run more often.
6. I finally got my nose pierced! I had wanted to do this since I was 17 years old, but when I turned 18 I chickened out. Then I got my job at 21 and they were very strict about facial piercings. (They were absolutely not allowed) I finally decided to go for it and went with my sister. It was my bday present to her for her 18th bday.
Going into debt is as American as apple pie and baseball. Not all debt is created equal. When people hear the word “debt”, they immediately see it as a bad thing. This is not always the case. Many of us don’t have the money to pay for a car or a house or education at once. This is when it’s fine to borrow some money because it is for a good cause. Bad debt is when you use credit cards to buy youself the newest and latest things and then have no way to pay the money back.
Like many college students my age, I have multiple credit cards. I also have store credit cards for Target and Amazon. I am lucky enough not owe $15,000+ like many people my age do, but I want to make sure that it doesn’t happen to me. Although I have a minimum wage job, I have been pretty good about paying all my bills on time. I have never paid any bill late or had to turn off my phone or other “luxury” items because I coulnd’t afford to pay it that month. At the moment, my credit score is 700. Despite all of this, I know how easy it is to go into debt and owe credit card companies thousands of dollars.
I’ve read plenty of books about what to do to save more money and spend less. Also on how to not go into debt. There was even a movie that I watched, while it was exaggerated, it showed what could happen if I continue buying things I don’t need on my credit card.
My goal for October is to go on a spending fast. That means for 30 days, I will not buy anything online or in person that isn’t groceries or anything I absoultely need. Maybe I can even go two months on this spending fast. I want to see how much money I can save in these two months.
Here in the United States, we are expected to do certain things by a certain age. We are supposed to get our driver’s license when we turn 16, get a car soon after, graduate university with a Bachelor’s degree by age 22/23, get our first job between 16-18 years, to name a few.
As with most “major life events”, I was a late bloomer in getting a car. I am 25 years old and just bought my first car a few weeks ago, July 30, 2016 to be exact. What else have I done later than most average people? I got my first job at 21, barely got my driver’s license at 24, just to name a few. For years, I had to get around on the bus. I would go to school, work, the gym, library, you name it, I went there on the bus. I even went to Santa Monica Beach, Disneyland, LA County Fair on the bus. Those trips were about 2 hours each way!
After getting my license last year, I knew it was time for me to finally get a car. But unfortunately, I had accumulated credit card debt and had to pay that off first. Last month I went to a credit union to apply for a car loan, but unfortunately, I didn’t qualify. When they told me I didn’t qualify, I was so disappointed. I had honestly given up on getting a car anytime soon. My mom insisted I would get a car before starting school, but I didn’t believe her. She went online and searched and searched for a new car, while I just sat around complaining about not having a car and having to take the bus everywhere. Then one day my grandpa asked me if I wanted him to loan me the money for a car and I said yes please. We went to a dealrship in Alhambra (our second one) and found my car there. It is a small car and a 2014, but it’s perfect for me. Without my mom and grandpa helping me, I don’t think getting a new car would’ve been possible, so I owe it all to them.
Here are the best things about finally having a car.
1. I have a new place to go during my lunch and break when I work. I can read my books and eat with no interruptions
2. I can go to the gym more often, I don’t have any excuses!
3. More trips to the library
4. I can go to Yogurtland and Jamba Juice more often.
5. I no longer have to depend on others to take me to work or pick me up from work.
6. I can leave my house much later than I normally would, which means I have time to just relax at home, always a plus!
90s California Runner Mom 