In an era of rapidly advancing technology and a burgeoning online marketplace, the way we shop and manage our finances has undergone a significant transformation. Among these changes, Buy Now Pay Later apps have emerged as a popular option, promising convenience, and flexibility to consumers. Platforms like Afterpay, Klarna, Zip, Sezzle, and others offer the tantalizing allure of instant gratification by allowing users to purchase products immediately and pay for them in smaller installments over time. While these apps may seem like a dream come true for those who want to indulge without the immediate financial burden, they come with some hidden dangers. that consumers should be aware of.

The Illusion of Affordability: The primary appeal of Buy Now Pay Now apps is the perception of affordability. By breaking down payments into smaller chunks, these platforms make it easier to purchase items that might be otherwise out of reach. However, this illusion of affordability can lead to impulsive spending and a lack of financial discipline. Consumers might find themselves accumulating debt without fully realizing the extent of their financial commitments.

Increased Spending: Buy Now Pay Now apps encourage consumers to spend more by creating a psychological disconnect between the purchase and its cost. When payments are delayed and broken into smaller amounts, the overall price of an item can become less apparent. This can lead to individuals overspending, as they focus on the immediate satisfaction of the purchase rather than the long-term financial implications.

High Interest Rates and Fees: While Buy Now Pay Now apps often market themselves as interest-free, this is not always the case. Late payments, missed deadlines, or extensions can result in substantial fees and interest charges. In fact, some users may end up paying more in fees than they would have if they had purchased the item upfront with a traditional payment method. These hidden costs can quickly escalate and lead to financial stress.

Impact on Credit Scores: Using Buy Now Pay Now apps may impact your credit score, though not always in the way you’d expect. Some providers conduct credit checks before approving users, and repeated use of these apps can increase your debt-to-income ratio, potentially making it harder to secure loans or credit in the future. Additionally, late payments or defaults can have a negative impact on your credit history, affecting your financial standing for years to come.

Debt Accumulation: Buy Now Pay Now apps can unwittingly push users into a cycle of debt. The ease of signing up and making purchases without an immediate monetary exchange can mask the true extent of financial obligations. Users may accumulate multiple outstanding balances across different apps, leading to a tangled web of debt that can be difficult to untangle.

Financial Overextension: One of the biggest dangers of Buy Now Pay Now apps is the potential for financial overextension. The convenience and ease of making purchases can lead to a lack of awareness regarding one’s overall financial health. Consumers might find themselves juggling various installment payments along with their regular expenses, creating a precarious situation where they struggle to meet all their financial commitments.

Privacy Concerns: Most Buy Now Pay Now apps require users to link their bank accounts or credit cards, raising potential privacy and security concerns. While reputable platforms implement security measures, no system is entirely immune to cyber threats. The risk of personal and financial information being compromised could have far-reaching consequences beyond just the immediate use of these apps.

Normalization of Debt: Perhaps the most insidious danger lies in the normalization of debt. Buy Now Pay Now apps can subtly shift societal attitudes toward accumulating debt for consumables. This can foster a culture of living beyond one’s means, undermining the importance of financial responsibility and long-term planning.

While the allure of instant gratification offered by Buy Now Pay Later apps is undeniable, consumers must be aware of the hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface. The potential for overspending, high fees, credit score damage, and long-term debt accumulation are all serious risks that should not be underestimated. Instead of succumbing to the lure of instant purchases, individuals should consider cultivating healthy financial habits, embracing delayed gratification, and making purchases based on a realistic assessment of their financial well-being.  In the digital age, convenience must not come at the cost of financial security. By understanding the potential pitfalls of Buy Now Pay Now apps, consumers can make informed decisions

It can be challenging to find time for self-care and personal growth. We often get caught up in the demands of our jobs, relationships, and other responsibilities, leaving little time to focus on ourselves. However, focusing on yourself for healing can be an essential aspect of personal growth and mental well-being. Here are some reasons why focusing on yourself can be beneficial:

1. It helps you identify your needs

When you take the time to focus on yourself, you become more aware of your needs and desires. You learn what makes you happy, what fulfills you, and what drains you. This self-awareness
is crucial for making decisions that align with your values and goals, and it can help you avoid situations that don’t serve you.

2. It allows you to prioritize your well-being 

Focusing on yourself means making your well-being a priority. It means taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health. This can include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, practicing self-care, and seeking professional help when needed. Prioritizing your well-being can help you feel more energized, focused, and fulfilled.

3. It helps you set boundaries

When you focus on yourself, you become more aware of your boundaries. You learn what you’re comfortable with and what you’re not. This can help you communicate your needs
more effectively and set boundaries with others. By setting boundaries, you can create a healthier and more balanced life.3

4. It promotes personal growth

Focusing on yourself can also promote personal growth. You can learn new skills, develop new interests, and challenge yourself to try new things. This can help you become more confident, resilient, and adaptable.

Here are some tips for focusing on yourself for healing:

1. Practice self care

Self-care is essential for maintaining good mental health. This can include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that you enjoy.

2. Set aside time for yourself

Make sure to set aside time for yourself each day, even if it’s just a few minutes. Use this time to do something that makes you happy, whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, or
practicing mindfulness.

3. Learn to say no

Don’t be afraid to say no to things that don’t align with your values or goals. Saying no can help you set boundaries and prioritize your well-being.

4. Seek professional help

If you’re struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Therapy can be a valuable tool for personal growth and healing.

Wow! Can you believe we are in 2023?  When I tell you I am so happy to leave 2022 behind me that is truly and understatement.  So much crazy happened in 2022 that when I tell my story to the world, you probably won’t believe it.   I’ve been spending this week working on some projects and not really for monetary purposes but for more healing purposes.  My mind was idle a lot last year and I need to keep the brain flowing with ideas, projects and brainstorming.  You know the saying, “an idle mind is a devil’s playground.”

One of my projects is to revive my blog.  I don’t even know if anyone follows my blog or even reads it.  I started a blog more as a journal and just to document something things that were going on in my life.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t consistent and it fell along the wayside.  I don’t know why I always get so excited to work on things and then somehow, it fizzles.  Sometimes I think it’s the lack of support.  My partner is really a supportive person. He’s supportive in things like, “great job” and “I’m so proud of you,” but he never really asks me what I am doing.  It’s weird to me but whatever.  That’s something I am not going to dwell on but I am going to address again later.

I’m also working on a podcast.  It’s called “It’s All About Bree Podcast – My life.  My journey. My truth.  I thought I would make the title coincide with the blog as it will soon become part of my branding.  The podcast will tell real life stories of me and you will all get to know me as a real person behind the computer.  It’s definitely going to be interesting.

Last but not least, my etsy shop. I started it a year ago and I have done nothing.  My goal was to sell stickers and I was working with an artist but she was not reliable.  She would create a few images, then disappear.  When she came back, it was because she wanted money so she would do some work and then again disappear. This last time, she asked for money without doing any work but promised to pay me back with drawings.  I passed on that so I have not heard from her since.  I am still going to list things planner and craft related but nothing too extravagant.  I will probably list about 10-15 items to see what sells and get my foot in the door.

That’s enough for now as I did reveal more than I had originally planned to in this post.  Stay tuned everyone as I am definitely going to make 2023 about me!

It’s been a while since I’ve written a post.  The last one was when I graduated from Community College back in June. I have been struggling with so much personal stuff that at one point I thought i was going crazy.  But guess what? I’m back with a vengeance and I’m getting back on the right track.  I just wanted to give an update on what I’ve been doing and what I will be doing moving forward.

I’m still working on my educational journey.  I’m now at Colorado State University working on my degree in Human Services.  I really want to work as a case manager or somewhere in that field.  My passion is to work with troubled youths, children in foster care and group homes. I will be training in January 2023, as a volunteer guardian ad litem so I’m excited about that.  It’s an intense six week training course on zoom, which is nice.  If anyone is interested, please click here.   Volunteering as a GAL will definitely prepare me when I graduate in 2024.  Most case management position requiring experience but I cannot get a job in the field without a bachelor’s degree.  This program will give me the desired experience and more insight on how the system works.

I have also been working on starting a podcast.  The podcast is called It’s all about Bree, just like my blog.  I really want to keep it simple. Part of my healing process is being able to talk about my trauma, the toxic relationships and the steps I’m taking to heal.  While I don’t the podcast to be so sad that people don’t want to tune it, I do want to tell my story.  There will be some sad moments but I feel also some funny ones as well. I want to bring my listeners into my world and hopefully as I get more into my degree, that I can also have guests and answer questions. I want to be able to connect with other women who are going through it or coming out of it.  Stay tuned!

Right now I’m on winter break. I finished the fall semester strong so I’m excited about Spring 2023.  I didn’t want this post to be too long, just provide everyone with a quick update. I’m wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Like most of you, I am ready to leave it all behind me.  2020 was a hell of a ride..  COVID is still raging all over the world and unfortunately, just because we’ve entered a new year, doesn’t meant we are out of the woods out.  However, we can still reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly and definitely learn, grow and move forward in 2021.

Twenty-twenty taught me a lot about forgiveness.  Not that I didn’t know forgiveness before, but it really pushed me to let go and let God.  With so much uncertainty in the world, letting go, patience, moving on, etc is all we can really do.  Holding grudges definitely is not in the cards and how can they be when you never know what can happen at any given moment.  At the rate COVID is taking people’s lives and family and friends not even being able to say good bye is so disheartening.  Even in my own relationship, I had to really decide do I want to continue to harbor the negativity I feel towards my own partner or do I genuinely want to put it behind me as I said I have done so many times.  Hurt is a painful thing and when that hurt manifests, sometimes it’s really hard to let it go.  At what point, do you really want to move on and move forward?

Can we talk about school in 2020 and how I really don’t feel I learned anything.  Teachers weren’t teaching and I think a couple of my classes I passed because they really didn’t give a damn.  While I appreciate the leniency in some areas, I don’t appreciate the professors who just listed the assignments and pretty much said do it and you get the credit.  Some professors were not present and barely responded to emails.  Yet, the students still had to pay full tuition and the professors’ salaries didn’t change one bit.  I think the only upside to this is I am in community college so hopefully when I do transfer, there will be some normalcy to attending school.  At this rate, I’m not sure I would be able to keep up at a University with no guidance.

Reflecting on not being able to go places as we were on shut down did mess with my mental health.  At times I felt confined, stuck and depressed.  I didn’t think I could feel so hopeless and then my mother testing positive for COVID.  I had to hold it together and I really leaned on family and friends to help me get through that.  She pulled through.  My mom is definitely a fighter.  It’s crazy because she really doesn’t remember; just like when she had a stroke.  God definitely doesn’t let the negative manifest in her.  I really find that remarkable.

I really don’t want to spend a lot of time focusing on the negative 2020 had in my life.  I do feel that there was a lot of positive and that through it all, we are still together as a family.  I started my own craft business and I am working on finishing my etsy shop.  I’ve learned a new craft and I made a couple of friends along the way.  I think through it all, I will only focus on the positive that 2020 has brought to me and moving forward, keep that same positive energy in my heart.

“If you are going to worry, don’t pray.  If you are going to pray, don’t worry.”

I have decided to take four classes this summer.  It’s crazy because I am now registered at three different community colleges in order for me to graduate this year or at least complete my courses. With COVID-19, classes are not as plentiful (in my opinion) and the classes they do have, fill up quickly. At this point, I am over community college and really want to transfer to a four-year university. I am ready to work on my core classes only. The general ed classes have taken my stress level to 10 and it’s just not healthy.  I know it’ll be worth it in the end but right now, it’s messing with my spirit.  On top of not being able to get the classes I need from one college, the schools are conducting virtual classrooms using Zoom.

My Geography class started Monday, June 1.  To date, I have attended two virtual classes.  The hours for the classes are 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and meeting with the professor from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.  For two days straight, we have had class from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  The three meetings overlap and the instructor has so much information on the canvas portal that navigating it is very overwhelming.  My counselor recommended him and his classes fill up easily. He has the best reviews so I know I am in good hands as far as learning.  The problem is he is not an online instructor.  He’s definitely not a “Zoom” instructor.  He’s a lecturer and likes to engage with his students.  For this reason, he is struggling to keep the class times within the designated time frames.  Is it his fault, absolutely not.  However, it’s hard.  I have so  much homework to complete by the end of the week that I’m already overwhelmed.

My other three classes start on June 8 and June 22 so at least it will give me time to focus on my Geography class.  I am also taking Social Problems, Statistics and Abnormal Psychology.  I’m not even sure if I will be able to keep up with the course load.  I may have to withdraw and add one to my fall schedule.  I am going to push through at not let it get the best of me.  I don’t think that virtual classrooms are very productive to learning. I feel it’s either all online or classroom setting. Even a hybrid class would be better. Right now I know this is the new normal (at least until the end of 2020).  Good luck to all the students and teachers who are feeling the pressures of virtual classrooms.

With the quarantine, stay-at-home order, social distancing, masks, gloves, hoarding, etc, the world is in a different place and so is my mental health.  When this all first started, I didn’t think it was a big deal.  I was naive. With over 26 million people out of work and not knowing what was going to happen with my job and my husband’s job, it was time I took it serious and that’s when I knew I needed to protect my own mental health.

The COVID-19 is scary and it has the best of the best scratching their heads trying to figure out their next step.  There is no vaccine. They barely know where it originated from or how it even came about.  The only thing they know is that it doesn’t discriminate.  COVID-19 doesn’t give a damn about color, gender or age.  It will affect anyone it comes in contact with.  Some will fight the virus and the virus will fight others.  Many will live but some will die.  With so much uncertainty right now, I definitely have to protect my mental health.  Protecting my mental health also protects those closest to me.  If I’m in a good space mentally, so is my mother, my daughter, my son, my husband and believe it or not, my beloved corgi mix.

I am the one in my family that everyone leans on. I am the strength in my household. I am the one that they all depend on.  Does it get overwhelming?  Absolutely!  We are family.  We are forever and for me, it comes with the territory and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Protecting my mental health entails a lot of me time.  I spend time watching television, reading, studying and crafting.  I go to work everyday.  My husband and I go on dates at the park.  My kids and I go to the park. We walk to the yogurt shop.  I window shop a lot online.  I sit outside.  I listen to music.  I make phone calls instead of texting.  What I have noticed most is I have really unplugged from social media.  I take it all one day at a time and I do my best to keep a smile on my face.  I see the good and the positive and to me, God has a bigger plan for all of us.  It was time for people as a whole to slow down. Spend time with families and turn to God.  He’s in control and if people don’t see it now, they never will.

I encourage all of you to do whatever you can to protect your mental health. Make sure you are taking time for you. Find some quiet time and just sit and reflect on what we will have to look forward to when this is all over.  See the positive in the situation and not the negative.  Protect your mental health.

On my quest to healthier eating, I have been doing some research on Vegan foods.  I have also been trying to open up my husband’s mind to the idea of trying to cut back on all the things that are unhealthy and focus on more foods that are healthy.  Yelp is definitely my best friend.  While reading the reviews, I stumbled across a restaurant called Madre Tierra.  It’s a 100% plant based Mexican restaurant, but not all the foods are Mexican dishes.  They have burgers which you can order at anytime and sushi (after 3 p.m.) just to name a few.

For starters, we had two different kinds of Fresca water which offers free refills and are only $2. Mine was pineapple and the hubby’s was cantaloupe.  It was really good and refreshing.  They did offer other drinks such as soda, beer, spirits and wine.  I was somewhat confused at those options but I felt in order to have the true experience, I opted for the Fresca pineapple water.  We also ordered the jalapeno poppers which were filled with cream cheese and vegan crab.  It was so light.  You could see the crab meat but it didn’t have that over powering fishy smell and or taste as a lot of seafood.  I was extremely surprised by how flavorful they were.

Next we moved on to the kids meal potato taquitos that came with a side of red rice. We also tried the loaded nachos with Jackfruit pollo.  We had a side of spicy salsa and a mild green salsa. The spicy salsa was really good but it was seriously hot!  I enjoyed the potato taquitos. I was surprised they were considered Vegan but I guess it’s only potatoes.  The loaded nachos were really good.  The sauce that is in the nachos is made by the restaurant.  I believe our waiter said it was made with cashews. While I did like the Jackfruit pollo, it was a little too much that came on the nachos.  It was a little over powering and I felt it took away from the flavor of the nachos.  Once we removed much of the Jackfruit, we were able to dig in and really enjoy the taste.  I think in the future, I would order the nachos without any meat.

The service is really good. Our waiter answered all of our questions and he was very honest and helpful.  I will definitely be going back as there are a few other items I would like to try.  The price was reasonable and for two people we, dined for less than $45, including tip.  If you are ever in the area, stop by and try Madre Tierra, you will not be disappointed.

I’ve been focusing on a healthier lifestyle.  I don’t want to just diet to lose weight because then I always gain it back after I achieve my goals.  My focus this time is to continue on the path that I am on now as far as my eating habits.  As I get older, I find that eating whatever I want whenever I want isn’t always the best choice for my health and also my digestive system. Over the last year, I have endured a lot of stomach issues and I believe it’s due to the foods I have been consuming.  It has also caused to me gain a lot of weight and I’m really not happy with my inner and outer appearance.

I started this journey on January 2, 2020, at 196 pounds. I am not nine days in and I’m down to 181 pounds.  While this may seem a little drastic, I honestly just cut out all whites.  I am not eating potatoes, bread, etc and I have cut sugar out of my system and replaced it with Splenda.  Splenda is actually really good and I don’t miss refined sugars at all. I’ve replaced a lot of the sugar with fruits such as apples and oranges and I find this still helps to maintain my low sugar intake.  Even though it’s natural sugar, it still helps me to maintain a consistent loss without feeling fatigue and hungry. Since I am not drinking any beverages except water, I can also see a change in my skin, hair and nails.  I normally drink 70-80 ounces per day.

The only issue I have had so far was severe leg cramping.  They are called nocturnal cramps and are extremely painful at night and normally wake me up when I sleep.  These cramps usually occur when you stop eating carbs.  In order to stop the cramping, I started taking Magnesium Citrate and I stopped taking appetite suppressants called Garcinia Cambogia.  I also purchased Blue-Emu which is made with Emu oil to help reduce the cramping.  Over the last two nights, I have been able to sleep much better.  The cramps are subsiding and last night I almost felt nothing.  It’s great, however, I don’t know which of the three was responsible for the cramping to stop.  The cream reads it’s temporary and if cramping persists, I should see a doctor. I don’t know if the Magnesium Citrate worked or if it’s because I stopped taking the Garcinia Cambogia.  I’m going to do a little more research and consult my doctor when I visit her next week but at least for now I am happy to be able to sleep through the night.

I’ll give you another updated in a week or so. I am definitely happy with the progress and looking forward to incorporate this change in my daily living.  I’ve linked a couple of articles to the vitamins and Emu oil for ease of reference.

FOCUS is my word for 2020. One of my goals is to focus on getting a handle on a my eating and drinking habits. I eat and drink whatever I want, whenever I want and at this point, its not really working out for me.  For the new year, I decided to start off with a 30-day detox.  I have given up anything white which means no sugar or carbs. With the exception of my detox tea, I will only drink lemon water.  I can say that after one week, I do feel a lot better.

I also take vitamin supplements but I am definitely going to add a multi vitamin in the mix. I think that I need to make sure that my body is getting the supplements it needs to replace what I am losing by cutting out certain foods.  One thing I did find that drastically cutting out everything except fruits, vegetables and chicken, does decrease my energy level.  I have added a boiled egg in the morning and also raw nuts to snack on throughout the day.  I felt this has helped me not feel so tired.  This change also decreases my calorie intake.  I think that I’m taking in about 500-700 calories per day.  I know it’s half of what I should be in taking at this point, but I feel that for the first 30 days, I need to make this change and then I can incorporate other healthier foods.

Another part of my detox is no social media for 30 days. It honestly doesn’t bother me at all.  I really needed to unplug as I felt I was spending too much time on social media and not enough time doing things that are more stimulating my mind. I am replacing reading with social media and I love it. The first book is called “The Hush.”  It’s actually pretty good. I think I’ll do a review once I’ve finished reading it.

I’m also spending time in my planner and reading the daily word for women. It was a gift from one of my planner buddies and I love it.  It’s a daily reading and at the end of each reading, there is a scripture and they ask you certain questions for you to think about.  I have an inspiration section in my planner so I write down my notes in there.  It’s so much better than all the negativity on social media so I’m loving the disconnect. I do post my blogs on twitter and tweet when and if I watch certain shows but for the most part, I spend about 10-15 minutes on twitter and that’s not every day.

I’ll continue to document my journey and update everyone next Sunday.  Wish me luck!