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Feb

23

Hello all!

Journal

Welcome new readers!

I started this blog about six months ago to write about the things I love and think about most often: personal finance, simple living, and self-improvement. At first I had no idea what direction this blog would take, but as I’ve been writing I’ve helped myself grow into my niche. At first I tried writing to a specific audience, but I quickly learned that that wasn’t any fun, and writing for approval wasn’t my forte. I’d much rather just be myself and do what I do best. So I started writing about those things that I love to talk about, and voilà! A blog was born.

As I write about in my about Antishay page, my whole life has been one self-improvement adventure. And while I am still young, I live well and above my typical peer-group in regards to basically everything. I grew up fast, and live accordingly. I feel I have the life experience and education to write about such things as personal progress and how to be successful. I hope you’ll join me in your journey towards wholeness and personal achievement!

My readership has slowly been growing over the last month and I have to say: it is just a thrill that anyone wants to read what I have to say! So THANK YOU for subscribing!! You are all dear to my heart
A Note to Other Bloggers

Antishay Ventenne means “Shanti Twenty-Something” in Pig Latin and Italian, respectively. If you’re a nerd or a linguaphile like I am, you will want to know that it’s pronounced [ahn-tee-shay] [ven-ten-nay]. I’ve been seeing my name pop up here and there and I realized that this name must just look like a bunch of gobbledygook to some of you! In the interest of making it simple, you can call me Antishay (or just Shanti ;)).

I was recently linked to from Remodeling This Life, Lynnae at BeingFrugal.net and Jacob at Early Retirement Extreme. I just GLOW at the thought of y’all (some of my favorite bloggers) being interested at all in what I am writing. Thank you so much! I love being part of this community.

Final Thoughts

This blog is basically all about how to be happy and successful while living frugally and simply. That sentence has the connotation that somehow simple living and frugality are not desired, but in truth our American social norms dictate this as truth. I find the opposite to be true, that simplicity and frugality bring about happiness, which is why I’m so passionate about the things I write. To me, happiness is NOT a car or a house full of stuff - I’d go so far as to say these things can bring more unhappiness than anything else, especially when they’re disallowing you financial freedom, or they’re so cluttered or complicated that you have no peace of mind.

I feel very strongly that if we work on ourselves, we will be happier overall, and spread happiness to those around us. In my two-year struggle (some may call it an adventure) to get out of debt, my life has improved drastically - which I totally didn’t expect. I’ve become more self-aware, independent, honest, and a lot more happy. I’ve moved up significantly in my career and have found joy in living. I’ve also had to opportunity to help many friends and family members get out of debt and make good financial decisions. It’s such a blessing that I understand how to be so fulfilled and most of all, that I can help others. It’s from this space that I write to you.

So what am I doing right now to improve my life?

The big new thing is The Simplicity Challenge, wherein I have committed to buying absolutely nothing but essentials for one month, and to also rid myself of all of the “stuff” that I own. I’ve been writing about my progress daily.

I’m also working hard to get out of debt, which I haven’t yet written much about. I have only about $3,500 left to go! That’s down from $12,000 in January 2007. I started paying it off in April of 2006 and it took me 8 months to get a big enough snowball going to make any progress whatsoever. When all is said and done, I will have paid almost $20,000 for that original $12,000. Sheesh. Because I am so close to being financially FREE!!!! (scream it with me!), I haven’t been blogging much about it, but I will be as we near closer to my final payment to the credit card.
Today in Seattle it a a gorgeous and SUNNY morning and I am reminded that spring is fast approaching! This time of year inevitably hits me like a surprise; I always leave winter forgetting that any other season exists (perhaps this is because winter is like six months out of the year here in the northwest…). The weather is a pleasing clear and crisp 50 degrees out and I’m going out to play

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Filed Under Site News, Etc., money and finance, simple living

Comments

3 Responses to “Hello all!”

Lynnae @ Being Frugal.net on February 23rd, 2008 12:59 pm

I love your Simplicity Challenge! It really inspires me! I hope you continue to see lots of growth in your blog, and I hope your debt continues to decrease rapidly! I can’t wait to hear about the day you don’t owe anyone any money!
Now send some of that sunshine to Southern Oregon! It’s gloomy here!
shanti on February 23rd, 2008 3:11 pm

I will will the sun in your direction. *wills*
I don’t know if it will do any good, but your day will come. I’m just soaking the sunshine up because soon it will be replaced with two months of spring rain. Ah, Seattle
Kathy@Brazoscowgirl on March 5th, 2008 4:35 am

Shanti,
What I think makes your blog great is you. The honesty that is yours does make you own it. I truly think that many blogs are just too focused, and it is boring.

Much success to you in all your endeavors!