Traces Travel Bucket List

By    June 01, 2020 // No comments


The past few months have been tough well I can only really speak for myself and for some it's been mentally challenging.  One of the things that has kept me going through the lock down is thinking about all of the places that I have been fortunate enough to travel to over the years.  I am by no means a superbly well travelled woman, but I love to see new places and make memories.   I am waiting with baited breath for the moment we can all travel around the globe freely again. In honour of this I have started to compile a travel bucket list of countries that I would like to visit over the next few years.  Hopefully I will get to share some of my adventures with you so that you too can visit and make your own memories.  

Traces Travel Bucket List

AFRICA
Ghana
South Africa - Cape Town (I've been to Johannesburg already)
Kenya
Tanzania
Ethiopia
Morocco
Egypt
Seychelles
Mauritius
Cape Verde
Zambia/Zimbabwe

EUROPE
Italy
Spain
Greek Islands
Sweden
Slovenia
Netherlands
Portugal

ASIA and PACIFIC
Dubai
The Philippines 
Thailand
Singapore
India
Fiji
Hawaii
Malaysia

AMERICAS
USA - San Francisco, Las Vegas, Arizona, Colorado, New Orleans, Key West
Aruba
Antigua
Bahamas
Tobago
Grenadines
Guyana
Belize
Brazil
Cuba
Honduras
Costa Rica
Vancouver and Toronto

Venturing into Entrepreneurship

By    May 15, 2020 // No comments
I have always loved the idea of working for myself and over the years have thought out many different ideas in my head, some from the sublime to the ridiculous.  I am yet to take the plunge and dive into entrepreneurship but it's definitely something that I am taking into strong consideration.  

 I think the reason that I have never pursued it, is because quite frankly I have been scared of failure and it's not something that I was ever told that I could achieve.  I mean me, become a business owner? I don't think so, well that is what I have been telling myself all of these years.  I was taught to get a good education, get a great job with benefits then retire, no where in that equation was it ever mentioned that I could create my own empire and follow a different path.  That inner voice of self doubt can take years to break free from, but as I am getting older I'm  realising that now more than ever might be the right time to take the plunge into small business ownership.

I am not someone that dislikes my nine to five job, in fact I really love it and the people I work with.  However, despite this, I am beginning to look more into the future and think about what I would like my my quality and standard of life to be.  Spending so much time inside working from  home has helped me put a lot of those self doubt into perspective.  While, I would love to make a decent living from any venture I turn my hands to, I have a way more realistic idea of how much time I can feasibly dedicate to a business and taking small steps will be essential.  I also, know that I get bored fairly feasibility, therefore it is a must that I love what I am doing and that it doesn't feel like a burden.  

Not knowing where to start has been one of the biggest obstacles for me, because I've always believed that I need to come up with some big intellectually stimulating idea akin to Bill Gates, but I definitely know this is not true.   I have noticed that many of the most brilliant business models are very simplistic and quirky and  fill a gap in that particular market.  Even if the competition is high, there is still enough room for everyone by setting yourself apart from others and by seeing how you can be more innovative.  

I am not going to lie and say that the fear is not still there, or that I have it all worked out, but I can visualise what my potential future could be and that is enough motivation for me to at least try.  I might fail but I cannot let the thought of failure debilitate me and hold me back from something that could be potentially life changing for my family.   This is a journey for me and I want other  potential female entrepreneurs out there to know that your ideas are valid and it is OK to be afraid and you can do it or rather we can do it and let's take these small but mighty steps together on the road to self change.




Financially Surviving the COVID19 Pandemic

By    May 12, 2020 // No comments

Unless you have been living under a rock or in outer space it’s no secret that the world is facing the worst financial crisis that we’ve seen in probably three hundred years. COVID19 has pushed us all to the absolute limit, mentally, physically and financially.  I don’t know what the current situation is where you live, but in the UK things are pretty bleak with no real end in sight as yet.  If you are lucky enough to have clung on to a job, then believe me you should thank you’re lucky stars because for many the harsh reality is that they have been plunged into poverty or barely making ends meet.   If any of this ring true there is help for you out there.  I’m no expert on all of this, but if I can use this platform to help at least one person then I can at least feel satisfied that I tried. With that being said, I have pulled together a brief outline of what’s available to help you during this trying time. 

The Furlough Scheme

Furlough also known as the job retention scheme, was introduced by the UK Government in March to support those companies hit by the coronavirus.  It works by temporarily assisting with paying the wages of people who are unable to do their jobs. The benefit of this scheme is that you are able to stay on the payroll even though you aren’t working. Your employer also has the option of topping up your salary  if they choose to and must inform you if you have been furloughed.   The Government have extended the scheme until October 2020 and further guidance is available. Read the guidance it’s imperative that you know what your rights are because when this all ends you need to be crystal clear about your employment status. 

Help for the Self-Employed 

The self-employed income support scheme (SEISS) was introduced in March to offer financial support to the self-employed during the Coronavirus.  The scheme covers up to 80% of self-employed workers earnings (average taxable monthly profits).  This scheme has faced much criticism because it’s only eligible to those who can provide their average profits over the past three years and a cap of £2500 has been placed on this, which is also taxable.      This is not ideal if you are newly self employed but you might be able to get support from one of the many voluntary organisations.

Advice and Support 

There are a number of organisations that are offering support for those who need it. The BritishRedCross Coronavirus Support Line . If you are finding it difficult to cope and might need support with accessing food and medication or dealing with the isolation, the BritishRedCross is there to help.   There are other voluntary organisations that are doing the same such as Mind, Crisis, the Citizens Advice Bureau.  If you need to speak to someone, do it because the loneliness can be unbearable.  Contact your Local Authority and if that fails contact your local Member of Parliament they are there to help their constituents so hold them accountable. Whatever route you choose, get help If you need it and do not suffer in silence.  

How You Can Support
If you are in a more fortunate position in this time of global crisis there are some things that you could do.  

 Volunteer

 Check on your neighbours especially if they are elderly, vulnerable or live alone

 Donate unwanted items or extra food items 

 Offer a skill, if you are a teacher offer free online tutoring, or if you have counselling skills 
call someone who might be feeling lonely. 

 Donate PPE, if you can sew our NHS workers really need medical uniforms 

 Donate blood 

 Cut down on frivolous spending and be less wasteful 

 Be kinder to yourself and others 







Caribbean Carnivals - Culture, Curves and Confidence

By    May 04, 2020 // No comments



It wasn't until I was much older that I was allowed to participate in Carnival and those of you who know about growing up in a Caribbean household will understand how strict our parents can be. Although I was raised in Britain, my upbringing was everything but British, and I often joke that when you entered my house you were in fact entering the island of Barbados. The one thing that has always stood out is the love my family has for their homeland and the culture.     

Although I did not participate in a carnival until I was in my early teens, my love affair with carnival began when I was a mere five years old,  to be exact my love of  the Crop Over festival in Barbados.  I remember the excitement from my family when they spoke about "de festival" and I sat in wonderment listening to them reciting the latest songs and events they would be attending.   Then I witnessed it, the festival in all of its glory, the  decorated carts, the costumes, Bridgetown Market and the masquerade bands parading through the National Stadium.   I heard the music, I saw the joy of the masqueraders and the revelry of the crowd and I was hooked.  

One thing that has always struck me about Caribbean carnivals, is the overt display of body confidence on show from the revellers especially the women.  There isn't a  body type or size that isn't represented in the festivals. I am not a slim woman by any standard and I can truly say that I've never really been overly self conscious about wearing a carnival costume and parading through the streets and this is because I know that there are plenty of women who look just like me in a costume too.   It's not that people aren't aware of their size when playing mas, it's more that they don't care and if you have a problem then oh well.  



The fact that you can be transformed into whatever you want is really appealing to me especially when you may be judged on a daily basis about your appearance.  It's the one time of year that you can let loose and say to hell with it and don a bedazzled masterpiece and just have some unadulterated fun.  Caribbean women have a particular essence about them that is hard to put into words and you will often hear the phrase "carnival is woman" and I have to say I agree.  It is extremely refreshing to see how confident and empowered the women are and there is a lot that can be learnt from this.  I am not saying that this is solely the result of carnival, but the psychological affect  on body confidence is undeniable.

Do I think the costumes are skimpy or course yes, do people dance in a manner that might seem vulgar to some , yes,  and are the fetes (parties) crazy and wild, at times yes but the take home is that you need to educate yourself about the history of carnival before judging.  If the idea of wearing a carnival costume fills you with dread, remember there is something for everyone, you don't have to wear a bikini if you're not comfortable.  Research the mas bands and find something that suits you because it is about fun not fear.

My love for carnival is about more than the beautiful costumes, it's about the people and the melting pot of different cultures colliding into complex yet invigorating  festivals of music, food and the arts around the Caribbean and further afield.  Despite the changes over the years,  I am still in love with Caribbean carnivals and of course Crop Over because it embodies my cultural heritage; the stories, the folklore, the music and the drama.  It showcases the best of the Caribbean, the beauty of the people and the confidence of our women and I for one will forever be in awe of it.  

Working From Home for Newbies

By    April 21, 2020 // No comments


The global COVID19 pandemic has forced many of us to embrace working from home as the new norm,  and while for many people including myself this has been a fairly smooth transition, however for many people the prospect of long term home working has caused anxiety and stress. We often take for granted how important routine and stability is especially for our mental wellbeing, the Guardian Newspaper has reported that there is an urgent need for studies into the impact of the pandemic on mental health. 

Unfortunately, it will be some time before we can all return to some form of normality,  but we can ensure we create a safe space to be productive and mentally healthy.  


Create a Work Schedule


Just because you are at home you should still try and maintain a work schedule.  Creating a routine will help you to wake up and get ready for the day.  Many of us are having to home school as well as work full time and by creating a schedule this will help you to structure your day around all of your activities.  Make sure to factor in time for meals and a break, remember you’re  at work and you need to take a break. There are numerous sources online where you can download a free planner including CalendarLabs and my favourite Day Designer.  Remember to discuss your hours with your line manager and agree to a work schedule that is realistic given the current situation and one that suits the business. 

Fake It 

This might not be a crazy as it sounds, the idea is that if you act like you are going in to the office this will help you to mentally prepare for the day.  If this means organising a work from home wardrobe or wearing your normal work attire and doing your hair and makeup then do it. Anything that helps you to feel less anxious and more in control is worth trying.  If you feel great then you’re more likely to get more done.

Create a Productive Space 

I know this can be difficult because we are not all blessed with extra rooms and sufficient space to create a home office, therefore for many of us we have to work within the confines of what we have and this might not be a lot.  Your home coupled with the inability to socialise can add to the feeling of claustrophobia and loneliness especially if you live alone. It’s important to create a safe space wherever you have chosen to work whether it be a corner in your bedroom or living room or the kitchen table.  The goal is to make sure that you are comfortable and that you don’t feel isolated in that space. For those with a full house, set rules and boundaries for your work space to help others in the home know that this is your office space and it must be respected. 

Virtual Meetings

The dreaded face to face online meeting, we all love to hate it and why wouldn’t we,  our colleagues are getting to delve into our personal space and who wants that.  Unfortunately it’s a necessary part of  at home working but it doesn’t have to be so cringeworthy.  Make sure that you put yourself on mute especially if you have pets and children and if you would like to have some extra privacy many online meeting platforms will let you blur the background or turn the video off if you are really camera shy.  Outside of the normal team meetings, make some time to schedule a virtual chat over coffee or lunch because face to face interaction shouldn’t just be about work, it should also be about maintaining the relationships you have built in the workplace. 

Develop a Risk Assessment 


Sounds kind of scary and it is.  Even though you know your home better than anyone, remember it wasn’t set up to be your place of work.  This means that you need to assess if you have sufficient seating, lighting, laptop accessories etc.  This is especially critical if you have any medical conditions that you require special equipment for.  Most employers will ask you to complete an at home risk assessment so that occupational health and safety can assist you with any special requirements. If your employer has not done this then contact then to discuss. Worksafe UK has a lot of useful information and they even have a template that you can download and complete.  

Exercise

This is pretty self explanatory, there are numerous studies that will tell you how important exercise is for supporting mental health and now that we are at home this is even more vital. Whatever your exercise of choice is, make sure to keep fit because social distancing can take its toll on our bodies.  YouTube has multitude of fitness videos for you to try.

On the Road to Better Budget Management

By    April 19, 2020 // No comments

Much of our financial bad habits are formed somewhere between adolescence to adulthood, and as simplistic as this sounds,  most of us have never really been taught how to manage our finances.  We are taught that we should perform well in school and land that dream job, but never taught how to properly manage our finances and build generational wealth.  So many of us have great careers but fail to take the necessary steps towards effectively managing our finances.  
This isn’t anyone’s fault in particular, because it’s not something that we learn in school or for most of us learn at home, but you are expected to know what to do and that’s not the case. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not irresponsible when it  comes  to money management,  but I do recognise that I have made some fatal errors that have negatively impacted on my financial health.  
I believe now more than ever that it’s imperative right those wrongs and teach my daughter  healthy financial habits from an early age if I want to break the cycle of debt creation.   Education is key, but part of educating your children should include providing them with the tools to develop healthy financial habits.   
It’s not too late for me to learn and I am making steady progress by firstly recognising my mistakes and re-learning how to better manage my finances to rebuild my financial health. I am still on this journey but wanted to share some of the lessons I have learnt so far.

1. Know Your Financial Status
My journey so far has taught me that knowing your financial status is crucial whether you like it or not.  There is no way you can become debt free if you bury your head in the sand and refuse to accept the state you are in.  Knowing your credit score and debt status will help you to devise a plan of action. It’s free to check your credit status so there’s really no excuse. 

2. Avoid Getting Into More Debt
Now I know this might be hard to achieve, but you have to try and avoid increasing your debts further. This means you are going to have to make sacrifices and ask yourself do I need this item or do I want it.  I have fallen prey to this but I have learnt to go without holidays, new clothes every month and other frivolous expenditures.  My mantra is if an offer seems too good to be true then it probably is.

3. Budget 
This is probably one of the more crucial lessons.  If you want to become more financially healthy you have to keep track of everything you spend and how much income you have.   Create a list in excel of your income and expenditures because this will help you to budget properly.  Do not be alarmed by this, because if you have large debts like student loans or credit cards this might be a depressing revelation but the main thing is that it will get better. 

4. Seek Advice 
I have found that speaking to a financial advisor has been essential, let’s face it they are paid to help you so why suffer in silence.   Seek all the help and advice you can, there are debt management agencies Like Step Change that can assist or agencies like The Citizens Advice  Bureau that you can contact.  One of my favourite resources is Money Saving Expert , it has a wealth of information on how you can manage your finances and become more financially literate. 

Turn Your Talent into Profit

By    April 14, 2020 // No comments

Today more than ever it's becoming increasingly important to think about how you can generate multiple streams of income and it's certainly something that I am starting to tap in to.  Gone are the days of landing that perfect forever job or that get rich quick career, but thankfully that doesn't mean you have to lose hope there are plenty of ways that you can turn your hobby into a serious money making machine or at least create another source of income to set you on the road to financial freedom and here are five ways you can kick start your journey.

1. Start a YouTube Channel

I know, it sounds so cliche these days to say "i'm a YouTuber" but the reality is there's still serious money to be made.  Just research your favourite content creators and you will be blown away by the figures.  It may seem like a daunting thing to do but there are so many ways that you can create on the platform and it;s not just for beauty gurus or gamers' because there is something for everyone and a waiting audience ready to watch.

Now I must say that for most people it takes hard work and dedication so you have to be prepared to stick with it, and if you perform well enough and your channel becomes monetised you can earn a fair amount of extra passive income.   Better yet many of the bigger YouTube channels receive far more income from brand deals, so what are you waiting on.

2. Create an E-Commerce Store

If you are someone who loves to sew, knit or even thrift then you might be able to generate some extra income by opening your own online store.  There are so many ways that you can sell your goods thee days and you can use social media to promote your store.  If you are more of a crafter try Etsy  or  if you want to try your hand at a drop shipping enterprise then you could try Shopify.   Either way, there are so many options for your to buy and sell but the number one rule is do your research and find out what works best for you.

3. Start a Blog

This is a relatively simple and low cost way to channel your creativity and if you love to write this could be one way that you can turn your passion into a booming business.  If you love cooking and want to showcase your skills then a blog might be one way of sharing your culinary delights with other like minded individuals.   If you happen to be reading this, then you see I am also trying my hand at blogging.  I like to write and I like to share my life experiences with others so it's the perfect match for me.  

Like YouTube you can monetise your blog by adding affiliate links, Google Adsense Ads or by promoting products and brands.  The key thing is to try and set up your blog properly so make sure to research all you can.  I am new to this so we can share and compare notes.

4. Create an Online Course or Webinar 

This is a really good way of using your skills and expertise to create a source of income, while helping others to learn something new.  There are many different ways that you can market your course and can be done relatively easily on platforms such as WordPress or Thinkific .

5. Sell Stock Photographs 

If you love photography then why not consider selling your pictures online.  It's not the most profitable venture but you can make a reasonable amount of extra income and you are getting to share your photography skills with others.  

There are many places that you can sell your pictures including Adobe Stock and Shutterstock.

Become Financially Independent

Now that I have given you some ideas to kick start you're road to financial freedom lets see if we can share our experiences and be great together. 


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