Testimony by Marie Archange Michel
Moving from Debt to Assets Graduation at Boston Missionary Baptist Church
December 13, 2008

Mesdames, Messieurs, bonjour. Je ne sais comment exprimer ma gratitude à ceux qui se sont sacrifié pour nous inculquer ce brin d’éducation qui nous servira autour de notre vie quotidienne.  (Ladies, gentlemen, hello.  I don’t know how to express my gratitute to those who sacrified to teach us this bit of education, which will help us with our daily life.)

From the first day I came to this class, I learned something new! (pause) I learned to save money!  Before I didn’t know that I could pay myself… I paid bills, spent money, but now I know that I can pay myself!  How?  I first put away the money I want to save for my goals. Actually, I have a goal:  I’m saving money to buy land in my country in 2 years… I’m sure I will be able to make it.

But how am I going to make it?  I have a budget, I know what my income and expenses are by month, I cut some expenses that wasn’t important (daily spending diary), like I used to buy lunch out in McDonald’s every day for $5.  This makes $25 in 1 week and $100 in a month!  Instead of buying lunch out, I bring my lunch to my job, so I save this money.

And another example - Every time in the year there is a holiday sale.  I was crazy buying stuff, shopping, but this last Black Friday I changed my attitude. I didn’t go out buying like crazy.  I saved this money, because I know I have a goal to achieve. This class taught me to make the difference between what is my need and what is my want.  I used to buy emotionally, but not anymore.  I take control of my money and myself, I think twice before spending my money, I think only about savinggggggggggggg!

Money is power, you can’t live without it, pay yourself first, take control of your money, learn how to manage your money. Believe me, if I can do it, you can do it also. If you do that, you’ll be stress free, you will be worriless. Thank you GBIO, thank you Missionary Baptist Church for the good service and help you provide to us.  I love this class!  I learned how to manage my money!