Managing Your Money is what many Americans are faced with today! As inflation hits record highs, we find it more difficult to rise above living “paycheck-to-paycheck.” Some of us cannot cover all of the bills with that paycheck and carry over bills from month to month. Such practices leave us further and further behind.
GETTING IN FRONT OF EXPENSES
During the 1970s and 80s, Shirley Washington Then was “blazing her trail” on the Hollywood Scene as an actress. Young, energetic and feisty, she was making sure no one left her behind! Shirley appeared in several movies and TV shows. Among them: Mission Impossible as a stewardess; Maggie in Wonder Woman; Travel agent in The Puppet; Theda in Darktown Strutters and Mrs. Jefferson in Bamboo Gods. She also starred in a film called Disco. Did Shirley Washington Then have other talents?
Shirley the Dancer
This writer knew Shirley Washington Then…but had no idea what hidden talents she had. Here’s an example of one:
Wow! Now that Shirley has revealed her talent as a dancer, let’s explore her history and discover other talents. In the following video, her talk show ability is questioned and challenged.
Darktown Strutters
According to Wikipedia, Darktown Stutters was a musical comedy about four (4) female gang bikers named Syreeno, Carmen, Miranda and Theba (Shirley). A synopsis of the storyline reveals numerous episodes that challenge one’s ability to determine the movie’s plot. The sequence of events as described by Wikipedia, did not allow this writer to follow the story. The focus of the movie simply eluded me. I have no idea what the writer was trying to achieve, nor the message he was seeking to deliver. Therefore, you are directed to Wikipedia for your own personal “read.”
However, from Shirley’s perspective, let’s recognize that launching an artistic career is not easy, and can lead to accepting roles that successful actresses may not choose. Ms. Washington was not born with a “silver spoon in her mouth,” and receives high marks for her courage, determination, tenacity and ingenuity for getting the roles she received. Hooray Shirley!
Shirley Washington Now. . .
What is Ms. Washington doing these days? She spends much of her time traveling between her apartment in Los Angeles and home in Las Vegas to musical events. Hearsay says . . . she is still very much involved in the music industry–setting up and negotiating contracts for clients’ musicals, plays, book deals and musical events. That is . . . when she is not “flying and cruising” from one country/continent to another with longtime friend and Motown Songwriter Eddie Holland. Hometown Detroit also welcomes her for special Motown events.
Recently, Shirley attended an event in L.A. that honored friend Smokey Robinson and Motown Mogul Berry Gordy. Some of the attendees are shown in the photo below:
Whether you are looking at “Shirley Washington Then” or “Shirley Washington Now,” the picture will be crystal clear, progressive, busy and spectacular! And . . . you will not need a magnifying glass!
Whew! I paid the electric bill! Now. . . maybe I can breathe. That was not to be. . . the water bill rolled in the next day, and it was higher than expected because the city raised water rates! I used my last twenty dollars for gas today. What do I do?
DEVELOP A FINANCIAL PLAN
Managing your money means having a sound financial plan. And . . . it means following that plan. The picture above suggests ways to “get your house in order.”
Step One. Total your family monthly income. Total all bills, even what is spent on places like Wendys. Determine if the income covers the bills. If not, consider getting a second job or find ways to lessen expenses.
Step Two: Write down your goals for handling the financial situation.
Step Three: Decide the course of action. Will you cut expenses, get another job, forget about entertainment. . .what? Make a decision.
Step Four: Once the decision is made, determine the impact it will have on the entire family. If you get a second job, will you need a baby-sitter? What will that cost? Will that increase income, decrease it or will it remain the same?
Step Five: Write down your plan. Revise it if you discover things that will not work. Complete the plan!
Step Six: Implement the plan and stick to it!
THE SUCCESS OF MANAGING YOUR MONEY
One final suggestion for making your financial goals a success, is setting up a savings account. You must set aside a determined amount each month for “surprise” expenses. These could include car repairs, medical emergencies, house repairs etc. In the beginning, if the amount of money you can eke out of the budget is small…do it! Consistency is the key! It is better to start with $25 each month or pay period and continue, than to start with $50 and stop saving after three months. Be “budget comfortable” with your amount! Good luck in managing your money!
