Hello Steemit Friends,

Discover the me in Me Before and After I joined Steemit. 😀

Me Before Steemit

I am one of those sira-sira store investor. I invested 10k php as initial capital. At first, the business is okay. But, after few months it was bankrupt and closed. After few months, invested again. After few months it was closed. After few months invested again. After few months it was closed. Until now it's closed! A sira-sira store, indeed!

Sira-sira store is a filipino term or expression for a store that opens if have capital then closes if no more goods and capital. Then, opens if with capital again then closes if no more. It's just a repeatedly cycle. Basta yan na ang ibig sabihin. Lol

How it happened

One day, during my vacation at home I decided to open a little store, a gift for my mother. Everyone was happy. My mother, father, sister, brothers and nieces they are all happy. I am happy, too. The store was earning on first month operation. But, as months passes by the goods running out. All expenses at home taken from the store. Kids always get the goods they want. Everytime our eldest brother visited at home, he always carry a bunch of groceries going back to his family. They all get goods from the store without paying for it. Then, everytime I'm going home for a vacation I always bring goods to fill in the empty racks in the store. Sometimes, I also give a certain amount of money to my mother to purchase goods for the store.

But wait, it seems that I am only investing. Why no returns?

It's all because I allowed that to happen. No proper accounting. And both of my parents don't have work. Our eldest brother don't have stable job. Store earnings goes only to all expenses and it's not enough. Also our youngest brother is studying, sometimes his daily allowance comes from store earnings.

Investing without proper accounting and management turns me down.

I told my mother to closed the store. I am tired investing without returns. My expenses were doubled because I have to give another capital to purchase goods for the store and have to give them for my brother tuition fees and their other expenses.

I am broke! No more savings! It's difficult to budget my salary! I also have my own personal expenses and monthly dues to pay.

I don't know what to do. But, I never forgot to ask help from God. I've been praying to overcome the downfall I am going through. I've been praying for myself to be strong.

God is my strength. He makes me strong to face the life I have. He makes me believe I can surpass my struggles in life. He gives me a clearer vision what to do.

I started to manage my money and expenses. I am still helping my family, I still help finance studies of my youngest brother. I limit myself spending the not so important. I'm paying my monthly dues on time.

Self discipline helps me manage money matters.

Me During and After Steemit : As a Steemian

I am earning a passive income without investing a single centavo. Yes! I never spend anything to own STEEM.

How it happened

It is very simple. I was invited to visit the site www.steemit.com

I was informed that it is a social media like facebook. But the difference is, it is a social media that pays. At first, I doubt it. It took me months before I signed up. After few days, I now have my Steemit account. I have no idea what to do. I started reading what others do on how they earn and posted my introduction. I am so happy how Steemians welcomed me and gave me a welcome gift tokens Steem and SBD. What a generous community. 😀 I remember the one who commented and gave me tokens @bottymcbotface saying not to forget him once I become rich. I am very happy of what he said. 😀 I will never ever forget you @bottymcbotface. 😀

I concluded that Steemit is a way to financial freedom.

So here I am staying at Steemit. Then, I've known wonderful Steemians: @aclenx, @sunnylife, @schamangerbert, @paps, @samian and many more to mention.

I am very happy staying here.😀 Steemit teaches me to become a blogger even I am not. Steemit is the reason I've known cryptocurrencies and got my eloading business from my Steemit earnings. I am very thankful to the wonderful Steemians helping me grow and have a wonderful Steemit journey. A million thanks to all. Little by little I am growing.

And my heartfelt thanks to @surpassinggoogle for all the supports and uplifting my confidence to participate here in the platform.

As @surpassinggoogle said from his previous post,

You are whale to me.

I am just a minnow but with @surpassinggoogle a minnow is a whale to him. I've been thinking what I can contribute to help my fellow minnows grow and have a wonderful Steemit journey. My vote power is only 0.01 sbd. Not that much in curating.

Because of @surpassinggoogle, I started my own initiative of giving back to the community. The Weekly Free SBD Giveaway was realized.

https://steemit.com/shikika-giveaway/@shikika/the-weekly-free-sbd-giveaway-4-20171019t115816939z

It was a success to me! 😀💖

I am very happy helping my fellow minnows. 😀😀😀 Thank you Kuya Terry @surpassinggoogle. This is my entry for the 2nd #untalented contest. 😀 Love much! 💖

I am very HAPPY STEEMING! 😀😀😀 I LOVE STEEMING! 💖💖💖

Realization

Invest Money Wisely!

P.S. Please support my witness @surpassinggoogle who inspire me continue what I started. To vote visit,
https://steemit.com/~witnesses
Type "steemgigs" as a witness in the search box then vote as shown below:

Yours truly,

@shikika with much love 💖💖💖😀😀😀

Keep steeming! 😀😀😀