BY LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH

All of us have taken a different journey through life. We all have different sets of goals and drivers, a different set of filters through which we view things.

So, when putting forward a budget, we have to first decide what our goals are for the coming year and there are usually a few and then figure out what resources and initiatives we need to hit those goals.

As easy as these sound, setting a budget for yourself can be messy. It’s fraught. It’s stressful. In a word, it’s complex.

Thankfully, there are people in the world who are skilled at these types of things, and Tara Mayers is that person. Twenty-nine-year-old Tara Mayers is the debut author of the book Kingdom Budgeting for Women.

The book, which she penned this year, was created to help women propel their lives forward.

“Kingdom budgeting for women was penned to share the tool of budgeting with women as a way to propel their lives forward. Even though the book was written for females, it doesn’t exclude males. The information is for he or she who wants to share in this journey. The kingdom aspect seeks to use kingdom principles in a practical way so that we all can see the fruits of our labour. It teaches discipline and sowing seeds. It embraces investments and seeks to charter a new course of life in our finances. It is a must read.”

Mayers, who is a former graduate of the Combermere School and holds a Bachelors of Humanities in Spanish and French said her book Kingdom Budgeting for Women is being released this month and persons can follow @houseofem.power for updates.

But did Tara always know that she wanted to be an author?

The answer to that surprisingly is no!

“No. Writing was not on my mind in the earlier years, as I was more so involved in fashion and design, which are my passions. I also own a décor business.”

The qualified educator who holds a Diploma in Education from Erdiston Teachers College said one of the takeaways people can get from her book is how to become better at budgeting.

“The takeaway definitely will be to keep trying at budgeting. It may be hard at first but keep trying. Bit by bit it will get easier, and you will be able to see changes and track improvement. I want women to tell another woman to purchase this book for a young woman who needs it. As this book touches on budgeting using kingdom principles. It encourages prayer, as well as how to write out one’s budget. It includes how to plan for supermarket trips and how to plan. It really is an everyday essential and guide. The writing process was completed in a year.”

Her book, which was released on September 20^th, is available on Amazon at the link below:

Kingdom Budgeting for Women – Kindle edition by Mayers, Tara. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

BY LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH

Twenty-year-old Ranako Bailey has been chosen to represent Barbados as a part of the YOUNGA Youth Delegation 2021 under the theme Re-imagine a better future.

The former student of Queen’s College and St Michael’s School will be representing the island this month where he will contribute to policy dialogues as well as create viable solutions with decision-makers to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Bailey who is on the verge of completing his degree in International Relations with Economics at The University of The West Indies Cave Hill Campus was selected to represent Caribbean Male Action Network at the YOUNGA Forum, which has been organized by Bridging The Gap Ventures.

He said that being a part of YOUNGA Youth Delegation allows him to address matters that members of the youth face constantly.

“Being a part of YOUNGA allows me to connect, learn from experts and take united action with other youth delegates to address matters to which we as youth must not only have a voice, but act on issues like- equality, climate change, the importance of mental health and the detachment from patriarchy.”

YOUNGA was created by His Excellency Antònio Guterres (the United Nations Secretary-General) who called on all member states to host the largest global conference on the commemoration of the United Nation’s 75^th anniversary.

This year YOUNGA will connect 2,030 Youth Delegates from across 130 countries with top-level decision-makers and influencers to co-create solutions to global challenges related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, partners include The Hult Prize Foundation; Kiss the Ground, IBMZ, AIESEC, Girl Up, The One Campaign, WWF International, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Kode with Klossy, The Resolution Project, the Born This Way Foundation, One Young World, Project Everyone, the UN Foundation and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

As a part of this international initiative, Bailey will receive access to a free, bespoke four-week leadership and advocacy training program along with curated career advancement and networking opportunities, including virtual Innovation Masterminds, Policy Working Groups, as well as interactive VR experiences. Programming focuses on five thematic tracks that align with youth priorities and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Climate Action and Sustainable Living, Equality and Inclusion, Future of Education and Work, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Peace and Justice.

YOUNGA Founder and Global Chair Kelly Lovell said that their goal is to inspire creativity and innovative thinking for young people to explore new solutions to pressing global challenges.

“Our goal is to inspire creativity and innovative thinking, for young people to explore new solutions to pressing global challenges and bring renewed hope. In the eyes of youth, we are living in a time of crisis for people and the planet. We are moving in the opposite direction from progress as economic and social disparities continue to widen.”

Part of this year’s program included a special youth activation, which was held on September 9^th, 2021, along with a charity fundraiser live-streamed from Disney World and presented by the president of Walt Disney World Resorts, Jeff Vahle.

This week Bailey, who is the Social Sciences Representative for the University Of The West Indies Cave Hill Guild, and Youth Network Research Director for the HEY Campaign will be undertaking mastermind sessions focused on activism:

• Youth: A Driving Force for Innovative Lifestyles Under 1.5 Degrees
• Impact Investing: A Cross-cutting Look
• Nature and Spirit: Sustainability Through an Indigenous Lens
• Self-Care Solutions for Youth: A Hackathon, The Future of Ocean Innovation Recovering from COVID-19 and Breathwork: The Power of Self-Healing

He is passionate about encouraging young men to pursue their passions and he is hopeful that by being a part of YOUNGA that he inspires other young men to go after their dreams.

BY LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH

“Here I am a good guy and treat women well- why is it that I cannot find someone who would go hard for me?”

Ian Harewood is a Barbadian author who writes under the pseudonym Mule Mind. He is the author of the book “Some Look For Masters and Some Look For Saviors.”

The book, which was released on August 8^th, 2021, has already, received a five-star review on Amazon. It is a collection of his dating experiences over the years after multiple failed relationships in which he was the Savior. Subsequently, he began to realize that some women preferred men who were Masters.

“I went through a couple of failed relationships, and I was always the good guy in the relationships. I was raised and taught that I should always be the good guy in the relationship and still had bad breakups. I was trying to figure out what I had done wrong in the relationships, and it reminded me of the saying that good guys finish last.

Over the years by observing other people and their relationships and watching how good women deal with guys who are bad guys and treat them badly, despite that treatment these women still love those men. I was like, here I am a good guy and treat women well. Why is it that I cannot find someone who would go hard for me?”

Harewood said that in doing his self-introspection he decided that his research should be compiled in a book to educate his male peers who were facing similar situations in their relationship journeys.

“I thought that I should share the information with guys who are like my former self. I have not gotten any negative response from people. Even my editor who read the book said he could identify a lot of the traits in the book as he identified himself as a Saviour back in his previous relationships. Now that he is a different individual, he considers himself more of a Master.”

The first-time author said that the concept of the book was two-fold in that the Saviour is seen as the Hero while the Master is seen as the Anti-Hero. However, during the book, persons would realize that the Saviour is the one who suffers the most in their relationships.

“The concept of the book is the Master and the Savior. The Hero and Anti-hero. When you read the book, some people may identify the Master as being the bad guy and the Saviour as being the good guy, but many times in the book the Saviour is the one that ends up losing because he is the one that is putting in 90% in the relationship and the other person is putting in 10%. When the relationship is over, he is the one that loses the most in the relationship. Basically, in the book I say that Saviour gets beaten to a pulp for his good deeds.”

 Harewood said that he wants everyone who reads his book, especially men, to understand that in the age of women being independent, that it is ok for a woman to take care of them.

“In this time, women are more independent so they can’t expect that a man is supposed to do all the thinking for her and save her from the brutal crazy world. I feel that a woman can save herself. Sometimes, men can allow women to take the lead and provide for both of them,” he said.

Harewood invites people to read his book by heading over to Amazon and typing “Mule Mind- Some Look for Masters and Some Look For Saviours,” in the search bar.