Since I was a kid I always remember having a passion for tracking money and understanding where it went. This fascination led me to start reading books on budgeting to understand how tracking personal finances could help people through the toughest of times.  From reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad, to The Total Money Makeover, even the Richest Man in Babylon, it would not have been a stretch to say I was obsessed. I wanted to learn everything I could about this subject. Soon I would learn about accounting and it was everything I every wanted.

Of course I have always known about accounting, I mean at least I thought I did! I could have sworn an accountant is what you call someone that fills paper work to the IRS to pay taxes right?  I mean what else does an accountant do? Well when I learned that accounting is actually just tracking the finances of a company and providing a clear and understandable format for others to read, I was hooked. I did not hesitate and I talked to my advisor and I switched my major to what I had a passion for since I was young. 

Switching my major from General Business Administration to Accounting was a major step for me to take as Sam Houston did not offer an online program for Accounting. This was a problem because I had been an online student at Sam for a year and a half, and at this time my life was completely based around being on online student.  I would have to move out of my parents home and live closer to campus, something I did not know if I was going to be able to afford.

This fear did not last long as I remembered what I had learned during all that time I spent learning about budgeting. I made a plan and charted my finances for the next year to see where I would be. When I finally did move out and stayed on track with my financial goals, I quickly realized how far ahead it put me. The most impactful statement came from an older family member who said they wish I could see where I am from an outside perspective to see how good I am doing.  I knew after that statement that my plan was working and that I needed to keep going! My current financial goals within the next 5 years are to graduate college without debt, save up to a 6 month emergency fund, and began saving up to put a down payment on a house. 

This journey so far as been one of many smalls steps, everyday being another stepping stone to the bigger goals of my life. I plan on continuing my academic education till I pass all the CPA exams, however I never plan to stop my life-long education. I want to always be interested in learning about anything involving the tracking of finances whether it is personal or business. I hope to enable others to follow along on this journey too!

 

Please share with me you journey at my email address below!

pwomackmi@gmail.com