en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/894469 Comments by Natasha Leigh http://www.stratejoy.com/2013/09/my-money-love-story/#IDComment720193924 This was a very, very interesting post and the video was an eye-opener because I got to learn so much about you and how you handle money. My money story is really different. When I was a kid, my parents gave us money because they wanted to. They didn't see the merit of giving us an allowance or giving us money for good grades. They just gave it to us freely and my mother would take us to the mall to shop. My dad was a long distance semi truck driver for most of my life and my mother worked in customer service. My family and I first lived in the upstairs of a duplex from when I was a baby until I was 12 and then, we moved into a single family house. The bills were always paid and we always had food on the table. Education was the most important thing in the family and in our family, the notion of paying each other back is frowned upon. When my mom got huge bonus checks, she would take us on shopping trips that were even more extravagant than normal. One time, my mother received a $6500 check in addition to her paycheck because she had to relocate at her job and my siblings and I ended up with $200 a piece to spend however we wanted and my mother bought us clothes, shoes and eyeglasses with the rest. When I was about 13, my mom was in an accident that left her out of work for over a year and I think that was when I started becoming aware of not having money. Things really didn't get bad until I was 16 and that's when having money was something that ingrained itself in my head. The next five years from that moment was so hard because my family barely got by and we were always struggling. My parents had separated when I was 14 and both of my parents had health issues. When I was 21, everything fell apart. My father died and my family was evicted. My sister, mother and I jumped between a motel and the homeless shelter and from then on, not having money became a huge source of anxiety for me. I was 22 when I got my first job and started college. I was already in credit card debt of $1000 because the only credit card I had was when I was 20 and had a $500 credit limit. I developed a bad habit of having these luxurious shopping sprees whenever I got paid, even though it was irresponsible. Then, I got my own apartment and then married at 23 and not having a job (my temp assignment ended) almost drove me insane because I needed to make my own money and have something to do. I moved back in with my mother at 25 and since then, I still see my money as mine and my mother's money as hers. I am a lot more responsible with how I spend now because shopping has exhausted me. I'm still very insecure about earning money because I don't have a job and my siblings do. However, I feel like I may be the most responsible. Sun, 15 Sep 2013 01:17:06 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2013/09/my-money-love-story/#IDComment720193924 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/03/stayingpresent/#IDComment135740365 This reading material is obviously written by a gifted writer. I not only agree with the points made, I also like the format. Thank you. Fri, 8 Mar 2013 02:23:24 +0000 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/03/stayingpresent/#IDComment135740365 http://clients.studionashvegas.com/shereadstruth.com/2012/07/12/day-1-prayer/#IDComment400524522 Hello all. This is my first day here at #shereadstruth. I didn't know what exactly propelled me to start at first but then, I started reading and I could understand very clearly. I think I'm going to enjoy this Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:20:13 +0000 http://clients.studionashvegas.com/shereadstruth.com/2012/07/12/day-1-prayer/#IDComment400524522 http://www.afterninetofive.net/2012/01/birthday-bash-massive-giveaway/#IDComment270232774 My most embarrassing birthday was when my fiance got drunk and then picked me up to take me to his place. He was laughing so hysterically and I had to pay for my own dinner. Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:20:49 +0000 http://www.afterninetofive.net/2012/01/birthday-bash-massive-giveaway/#IDComment270232774 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/09/learning-to-trust-myself/#IDComment192990351 Here's hoping for your bravery this year. I think it's cool to start small because you'll be halfway there before you know it. Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/09/learning-to-trust-myself/#IDComment192990351 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=2039#IDComment190493505 What I like most about you is that you are young (even though you're only three years younger than me, but my little brother is your age so I feel old) and you've been dealt some really bad cards but you're choosing to be better for your little boy and for yourself. I like that you're not willing to just lie down and let the shit run over you. You're strong and that strength is always going to come in handy. BTW, screw anyone who thinks it's just the same old story. Wed, 7 Sep 2011 00:13:14 +0000 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=2039#IDComment190493505 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=2051#IDComment190492234 Your phone and your camera are like the best gadgets I've ever seen, especially your camera. I've been thinking about getting one just like it but the price was never right for me, but I am literally drooling over it. Wed, 7 Sep 2011 00:09:27 +0000 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=2051#IDComment190492234 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/09/life-love-and-audacious-joy/#IDComment190486919 So, my story's a touch different but there is so many things I wanted to touch base with you on. First off, anyone who talks about France is super awesome in my book but I give you so much credit for doing so well in school and going to grad school and helping children, which I think may have inspired me after reading your guest post about your job on another blog. I also have to tell you that I am sorry about your dad (my dad passed in 2006) and I know that can make a big impact on one's life. Keep striving, Ashley, because you're going somewhere. :) Tue, 6 Sep 2011 23:53:45 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/09/life-love-and-audacious-joy/#IDComment190486919 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=1924#IDComment188670900 I love this post, because everything she is saying makes sense. It's all about honesty and when you're honest, you stay true to yourself. Love. Thu, 1 Sep 2011 10:25:37 +0000 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=1924#IDComment188670900 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=1876#IDComment185930455 This is so helpful because I suck at time management, even though I never have anything better to do on any given day other than class. Thank you for this. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:36:43 +0000 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=1876#IDComment185930455 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=1873#IDComment185918541 It so wonderful and sweet that you trust your boyfriend as much as you do. I swear that the trust you have is the biggest factor in successful relationships. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:41:37 +0000 http://dirtontherocks.com/?p=1873#IDComment185918541 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/08/how-winning-the-stratejoy-scholarship-changed-me/#IDComment185639598 I'm glad you are making your way, Ashley. Congrats again on winning the scholarship. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:10:27 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/08/how-winning-the-stratejoy-scholarship-changed-me/#IDComment185639598 http://www.knowingthedifference.com/2011/04/sometimes-i.html#IDComment144557272 Sometimes, I blow things out of proportion in a huge way. Sometimes, I can't let things go as easily as I'd like. Sometimes, I am just too exhausted to go on with silly madness. Sometimes, I am the person who is needed to make someone laugh. Sometimes, I am stronger than I'd thought I'd could be. Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:22:59 +0000 http://www.knowingthedifference.com/2011/04/sometimes-i.html#IDComment144557272 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/04/i-love-women-the-council-and-keeping-my-head-above-water/#IDComment143980245 Love it. I so want to get on deck in the next round of the Council. Congrats, Molly, for being so inspirational and kind. :) Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:29:46 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/04/i-love-women-the-council-and-keeping-my-head-above-water/#IDComment143980245 http://www.katieblogs.com/2011/04/generation-y-and-laziness-theory.html#IDComment141794772 That guy was such a douche. He knows nothing about us in Gen Y. I worked my ass off until the economy turned. I may have gone back home to my mom, but I still work and I'm still at school and I'm still a rock star. The only objection I have to this post is that you licked his lid. You could've gotten some asshole germs. I'm glad you didn't, though. Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:03:34 +0000 http://www.katieblogs.com/2011/04/generation-y-and-laziness-theory.html#IDComment141794772 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/04/the-transparentcy-theory/#IDComment141280206 This has rang so true for me when it came to my mom {my dad died five years ago}. When I was up, I was so up and I was so happy and I did some really crazy things including getting married and having some very tough fights with my mom. When everything came crashing down, however, she was there and I thought that I didn't deserve her love or concern or anything along those lines. Still, she cared and she let me come home to regroup. Parents always seem to surprise us but then, they bring us back to reality when they remind us that yes, they were there, too. When I first came home, my mother was always reminding me that she had gone home when she was pregnant with my older sister and that my grandmother was very accommodating. Because of my mother's...lenience, maybe?...or patience, I was able to bring myself back up to a place in my life that's not as good as it was when I was flying high, but it's good enough for now. She was there when I was stressing over being on academic probation and having to pretty much pass all of my classes to get out of it {which I didn't, but still}. She was there when I started going to my doctors and I had to take new medications. She was there when I was in a really dark place that I couldn't find my way out of. Overall, she was there and oddly enough, parents are the only ones that we can go back to with no questions asked. Sat, 9 Apr 2011 16:28:26 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/04/the-transparentcy-theory/#IDComment141280206 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/04/top5gratitudekillers/#IDComment140624850 Sometimes, I need a reality check that life is going to have the good and the bad. When I realize that life is such a wonderful balance of ups and downs, it makes me grateful that I'm still alive. So, I practice gratitude, even when it's really hard. Thu, 7 Apr 2011 02:32:51 +0000 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/04/top5gratitudekillers/#IDComment140624850 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/04/training-for-gratitude/#IDComment140231847 It is incredible that you felt grateful even during the bad moments. I think that's when it's needed the most and especially when your sick. You had a moment when you realized that you could especially see the gratitude when it comes to being sick and realizing that you had good friends to look after you but you had a place of your own where you could feel completely free. Tue, 5 Apr 2011 19:21:14 +0000 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/04/training-for-gratitude/#IDComment140231847 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/04/new-home/#IDComment139962366 Your headboard and door knob is so pretty, and I can't stop laughing at the gnome. You have an awesome new home. Mon, 4 Apr 2011 19:58:01 +0000 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/04/new-home/#IDComment139962366 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/03/joy-for-japan/#IDComment136246462 Those items are definitely beautiful and they support Japan, which is such a great thing. :) My prayers go out to the entire country. Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:01:08 +0000 http://gratefulsparrow.com/2011/03/joy-for-japan/#IDComment136246462