FRIENDS AND FINANCES FEATURING A SIMPLE VIEW BLOG

Welcome back to friends and finances my featured blogger series that introduces you to some amazing bloggers. The biggest reason I decided to start this new series, is because I believe in getting different perspectives on handling your finances. Secondly I believe that the bloggers featured here each week have a lot to offer the world and deserve recognition. Some of the blogs featured will be other personal finance related blogs and others will not be. The reason I chose to include some other blogs that are not related to finance is simple, we all have a financial story no matter who we are. I believe money is not the only focus we should have when traveling our road to financial freedom, and I think discovering some fun blogs that share something different can be a welcomed break from over focusing on money. So today I welcomeAL Bell from asimple-view.blog

Hello Andrea! Thanks again for allowing me to be a part of your featured blogger series and for the opportunity to meet your followers.My full name is Allen Bell. Many call me Bigal or Al. I have been blogging since August of 2017 and love it. I personally did not know much about blogging until viewing a website advertisement that highlight the points of sharing one’s ideas. The website link led me to the webmaster sight for Wordpress and from there it is history.My website focuses on encouraging and motivating those who will encounter the challenges of life. Whatever the challenge one can be sure to get a positive word of encouragement. I call it the Watering (W)hole because just as a watering hole is looked to for refreshment one can look to this website to receive inspiration to press through whatever he/she is challenged with.I also share my health and fitness journey in which I open up about my previous eating and fitness plan that did not quite encourage healthy eating. Now, I highlight the benefits of eating healthy fruits and vegetables mixed with a focused physical fitness plan.For fun, I like to hike, bike ride, and take trips. Kinda a history buff. Love planning trips around what I could potentially learn historically.

1. How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging since August 2017. It all started from a curiosity into a web link and the rest was history.

2. What has been your biggest money mistake?

To date my biggest money mistakes was investing in a vehicle that technically should have been considered a lemon. I had so much trouble with the car after purchase that I literally made arrangements to return vehicle. This loss was the most memorable.

3. What is your best advice for recovering from or preventing this money mistake?

My best advice is to do your research on vehicles before making that final purchase. The time spent researching it's quality will save you time and the headache from unwanted vehicle failures. There are resources available outside of a friend's advice to help you in making a decision.

4. Favorite quote or money advice and who was the author?

My favorite money quote by Robert Kiyosaki is “ Financial Freedom is a mental, emotional, and educational process.”

5. Favorite money or budgeting related book and author?

Favorite money related book is called “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. Why? He goes into the mental differences of someone who works a 9 to 5 as compared to someone who thinks freely and looks to building a brand. This book had such an impact on me because it gave a mental picture of actually how one thinks with regards to handling money and where they could potentially fit in the puzzle of either being an employee, self-employed, Business, or Investor. So many fundamental how-one-handles money tips.

6. Favorite money-saving website?

Wow! This is a tough one! So far today, I have used 2 platforms. That is Groupon and Facebook. Both offer good deals and are fairly easy to sign up. Facebook, the mega social media platform can definitely offer a wide range of items. These items are customized to your preferences. This is probably its best-selling point. Based on your preference it basically becomes a large GPS search engine capturing items you desire close by. Nice! Groupon is cool. Although I have not used this as much the deals are reasonable. The offers on this website range from travel, beauty, home and auto goods, etc. What I love about it is the reviews. When looking to purchase a deal the reviews can assist plenty in giving peace of mind. That being said, I’m into shoe maintenance and repair. I can maintain to a point but love the professional touch of a shoe repair place. Found a place that offered 50% off of the regular price. This is definitely a nice deal especially coupled with good service and reviews.

7. Favorite money-making apps or websites?

This is a fun one for me. I love using the apps MINT and Credit Karma. Mint is so cool because it gives me an overall financial picture that includes debt and credit. A detailed list of all bank, debt, credit and investment accounts can be tracked. It provides a nice overall assessment on all. I like Credit Karma too. It provides a nice snapshot of credit score, debt, assets, and liabilities. Credit Karma also provides offers related to credit cards and tips on what the best interest rate could be for your budget.

8. Do you have and emergency fund or savings account?

Yes! Under the tutelage of more successful debt and income managers I was always encouraged to manage a savings account for those immediate emergencies such as related to unexpected repairs for car or home. So far, it has worked! I usually shoot for about $1000. This seems to cover most emergency issues.

9. What is your most successful strategy for saving money?

Well, I have to admit, my most successful strategy first is mentally committing to putting funds(an amount not too extreme at first) aside with the intention of using for that purpose;A savings. Secondly, I usually set up an account that is not as easily accessible. Haha! This means the account is set with limited access. Usually meaning it forces me to go the extra mile and think twice if I want to use the funds. So far it's worked well. The amount saved is set up for automatic withdrawal too.

My twitter handle iswww.twitter.com/albell42017/

My Pinterest handle is www.Pinterest.com/bigalyall2017/

My Instagram handle is www.Instagram.com/bigalyall/

My blog connection is www.asimple-view.blog aka The Watering (W)hole

I want to thank Al for taking the time to be Interviewed, for sharing your insight and financial advice with all of us today, and just a little glimpse of your website. Thank you everyone who took the time to read this post, stop by his website when you have a chance and let him know Saving Joyfully sent you. See you next time for another blogger Interview, and an introduction to another great blogger.