The $150 Challenge

Last week was a very enlightening week for me. I had a well needed talk with my boss' Insurance Advisor which got me thinking hard about my current financial status. Let us just say that financial literacy has never been something I had an excellent grasp on until recently & I still have more to learn.

Back to my conversation with the Insurance Advisor..... she reminded me of something I learned a long time ago but had not put into action for awhile.... paying yourself first! She stressed that I should have been saving at least 10% of my monthly earning since the day I started working there in 2012.

Like I said before, this concept was not new to me by any means but for some reason I have constantly used bills & unnecessary wants as an excuse to not save a [substantial] dime.

Fast forward to Friday...my bestie Shauna & I were talking & she mentioned to me that she was going to start the $150 Challenge!

At first I thought, the $150 USD Challenge? which made me not even consider attempting that challenge. Luckily for me she meant the $150 JMD!

My Jamaicans are probably saying, "That is not money!" & on a normal day the most it can give you is one-way ride on a JUTC bus. It may seem small but it can make a difference after a period of time.

Back to the challenge...

The challenge is to save at least $150 JMD a day & at the end of the month whatever is saved, I would match that total & then lodge it in the bank.

Therefore, I can save at least $66,000 JMD (at least $600 USD) at the end of the year.

The money saved can go towards "My Retirement" saving plan or  help me finance a trip somewhere.

Of course I will also continue my current saving pattern & ensure that my 10% "self payment" goes to my saving account where it will remain untouched until I am ready to make a "big purchase" or invest it wisely.

Wish me luck & share with me any other saving strategies you may utilize.

I Woke Up In The Cayman Islands!!!!

May 29 - June 2, I was amongst the group of District 7020 Rotaractors who converged on the Cayman Islands for our District Conference. If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you would know that Rotaract is a big part of my life. 

The District 7020 is composed of ten different countries or territories (as of July 1, 2012) :
- Anguilla 
- Bahamas (except Grand Bahama) 
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands 
- French West Indies (St-Martin & St-Barthelemy only) 
- Haiti 
- Jamaica 
- Netherland Antilles (Sint-Maarten only) 
- Turks & Caicos 
- U.S. Virgin Islands 

Day 1

The Jamaica crew left home on a Cayman Airways flight bound to George Town. This was my first time leaving the country as an Adult (I know know LAME) but the flight wasn't bad at all. Paulette & Travis made it too awesome!!! When we got to George Town we were greeted with an awesome banner & even more awesome smiles!!!! There were no real activities planned for the day so we ended up chilling in the Hospitality Room (Room 542) before Paulette & I headed to Camana Bay for some sight seeing. 

Camana Bay was awesome! It was beautiful and sophisticated. It is actually a business/residential district within Seven Mile. 

That night we went to 2 spots: Aqua & Jet Night Club. Let's just say you pick up a few things about selecting going to parties in Jamaica. Cayman selecting rocks when you're drunk #thatisall.

Day 2

We had training sessions in the morning. Unfortunately I woke up late so I missed the first session, luckily, I didn't miss much. It was a good day though. I learned alot of new things that will help me & my club next Rotaract year (hopefully). After Sessions, myself, Paulette & our new friend Wendy (from Petionville, Port Au Prince, Haiti) decided to go on another excursion on Seven Mile. We window shopped & basically tried to get a feel of everyday Cayman.  It was an interesting trek but then the rain came.

The opening ceremony of the Conference was that night & it was a beautiful fan fare. All delegates were dress in their club shirts & we were treated to some Caymanian culture & hospitality. The Marriott did not disappoint with dinner. The stir-fry shrimp was to die for!

 In the night, we went to a lounge called The Living Room. We got an awesome deal! CI $25 and we drink all night! LOL. We even got the club for ourselves & to top it off a JAMAICAN born DJ. That night was #AWESOME. We were even graced with the presence of The Original Bad Girl herself Ms. "I Run L.A." Natalie Nunn. 

Day 3

T.G.I.F!!! We Started the day with more training sessions & plenary sessions with our District Leaders. That was a very productive start to the day. At break time, Paulette & I went with our friend Danielle to George Town. I was taken aback by how clean andbeautiful the scenary was. Of course once I heard there was a M.A.C Store I had to head there. Originally, I was going to buy Nicki Minaj's lipstick but I wasn't feeling the colour on me so I ended up buying a nicer Matte Pink colour "Embrace Me,"  similar to the "Candy Yum Yum" limited release. I got it for only US $17.  After M.A.C we decided to head home to get ready for dinner. However, we had car troubles and ended up being rescued by Danielle's Prince Charming.

We had dinner at Agua, a very nice restaurant a few minutes away from our hotel. It was a wonderful 3 course meal & I was brave enough to try some Calamari & Mahi Mahi  Ceviche (raw Barracuda soaked in Lime Juice). My main course was Portobello Chicken and it was phenomenal. My taste buds were elated. After dinner, we went to one of Cayman's hottest clubs, Elements to enjoy the musical stylings of Jamican-American sound system Black Chiney. I enjoyed myself to the fullest!

After the club, myself & two friends decided to  put our feet in the Caribbean Sea (we had no beach days because it was raining all week). I lost my voice as a result of this expedition.

Day 4

It was excursion day! 

I have always had a fear of open water (I am a weird Caribbean woman) none the less I decided I to go on the boat...Y.O.L.O. At first, I was scared shitless but after a little rum  drinking,  I was super-excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We sailed to Sting Ray City where we got the chance to swim with the Sting Rays. I was surprised that I was standing in the Middle of the Sea swimming with Sting Rays!!!!!!!!!!! After Sting Ray city we sailed to Rum Point for a little more frolicking. That day was perfection. The sun came out and we all had a fabulous beach day.

The night belonged to our Gala dinner. We dressed in  our finest garbs & celebrated the accomplishments of our year. My club won a Gold Award &  A silver award (YAY NKRC!!!!). The club of the year award went to the Rotaract Club of Montego Bay!!! I am so proud of them because they work so hard and kept the spirit of Rotaract alive all year.


We closed the night with a private party at a warehouse in George Town. It had its share of eventful activities but overall it was an excellent experience.

Day 5

The Last Hoorah!

It was bittersweet day. When I woke up the Tortola & St. Martin/St. Maarteen crew was leaving...SIGH. I am not good with goodbyes so I avoided that. For the rest of us (my flight was scheduled for 8:55 PM) we went to West Bay to the Turtle Farm. That was an awesome experience. Pictures will speak more than words. After the Turtle Farm, we went to Hell!!! 

We closed off the day with a trip to Peachwave to buy soft serve ice cream.

My flight home was a bit turbulent but we landed safe & sound in Kingston around 9: 35 PM.

I still miss my 5 days in another Paradise. I would reside in the Cayman Island, however, I would miss home alot. I plan to go back if they grant me another visa LOL. Hopefully to experience Pirate's Week & Batabano.

Cheers to Conference 2013 as I anticipate Conference 2014....

The Sunshine Girl's Tips to Cayman

Walk with lots of money
Dine at Aqua
Dine at Al La Kebab
Visit Rum Point
Visit Sting Ray City
Visit Hell
Visit the Turtle Farm
Visit Camana Bay


Next trip I will add more to the tips lol.

Thanks for Reading & I hope you enjoyed it.