Perfecto! My spreadsheet is just perfect. My “cash-in-hand” cell is square and none of the category numbers have been exceeded. This is because it’s only day number two of this month’s budget. Sometime within the next few weeks, something will most likely be skewed. I will have to face the screen of my laptop, pouring over figures…counting my money…and recounting it again.
Coordinating payment for 4 different tuk tuk drivers in India.
Setting out on manhunts for ATMs in the most rustic of places.
Carrying more cash than anyone should ever deem permissible.
Keeping separate my personal money from the team’s funds. I wound up getting two wallets!
Converting the most mind-boggling currencies from month to month.
Figuring out restaurant bills for twelve people.
Negotiating prices with brutally mannered cab drivers.
No, it hasn’t always been easy. It’s been an adventure within this adventure! I can’t deny that overseeing my team’s finances has significantly enhanced my World Race experience.
I began to take my position more seriously and give myself more credit for this job in Uganda when my team’s contact, Pastor Moses, so graciously and repeatedly called me, “Minister of Finance.” Before this, I called myself the “finance person.” So, if you’re a future or current World Racer who has been bestowed this responsibility, own it. You are a “Minister of Finance.”
I’ve enjoyed having some sort of responsibility while being out on the field. It has been a humbling responsibility, for I have had to seek assistance from folks who are more number savvy. Side note: Math is not my strong suit and I made my parents proud by getting B's and C's in in the subject. There also have been times where things have been distorted because I’ve miscalculated. Even still, I have thoroughly enjoyed this task.
Having a budget and a framework of categories has improved my understanding of my own personal finances and the stewardship of those funds. The funds in our trip budget have been minimal, and that’s how my “real-life” funds are at the moment. With the knowledge I have gained, I hope to only spend what is necessary, saving and giving the rest. Minimal living at it’s finest can be definitely be learned out here! It’s time to do some reevaluation and I couldn’t be more excited.
I tend to think of myself as an awfully easygoing personality. It’s true that I am, but my temperance has been tested to the furthest this year. The scenarios that have been presented (or more like bombarded), have forced me to think on my feet and keep my cool. What else is there to do? Worrying and getting angry would have been the death of myself and my relationships. The above scenarios in the beginning of this blog are just a few examples.
One more month of currency conversion, rent payments, mass toilet paper purchases, and receipt writing. One more month until I get to do all this on my own accord. I still have a lot to learn!
I thank the Lord for having the opportunity to serve my team and Him in this manner.
I thank the girls on my team for the grace they have given me while I’ve figured all of this money stuff out.
I thank Him also for using this responsibility to greatly teach me about one of His favorite topics…administering money.
