I hate to even write this because I look like Debbie Downer. And I have NEVER been a fan of hers. But, some topics aren't easy to talk about but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't...
Sometimes you MUST prepare for the worst.
What if you lost your job tomorrow? Or, your spouse did? what would happen? Would you go into panic mode? Into a major stress/anxiety attack? Would you begin fearing that you would lose your house, or car, or that you would go without food?
If you answered yes to ANY of those, then you need to STOP THE MADNESS NOW!! I understand that NO one wants to purposely stress out by just thinking about what would happen if your family lost one (or maybe the ONLY) source of income. But you NEED to.
Without even realizing it (or maybe you do) you have an escape plan in mind if your house were to catch fire. you know where you would go if a bad storm was headed your way. You probably even run by the grocery store to grab bread and milk if you hear it MAY snow. So why not be thinking ahead on what would happen if suddenly your household income plumeted.
Here's a few steps that I came up with to help prepare for the "worst case scenario."
1. START SAVING TODAY! There is never a better time to start saving. It's NOT going to get easier tomorrow. Do it today.
2. This would be a GREAT time to learn how to coupon.
3. Do your homework. While you can AFFORD to burn the gas running from store to store, do an inventory of the items you buy most frequently and go to each store so that you know where the deals are.
4. invest in a deep freeze. If you do this then you are ready to stock up when you find a great deal on meat or veggies.
5. Take a look around--what can you sell? I'm not saying you need to sell it TODAY, but have a list of things you already know that you would be willing to part with in the "Worst case scenarios" of life.
6. Take a look at your bills. Cell phone, cable, internet... what changes are you willing to make to get those bills down?
7. Might not be a good idea to look up unemployment rates in your area. Arkansas has a site that allows you to calculate your approximate amount of unemployment. That would be a handy thing to know.
8. Stay in the network! Just because you landed a great job does NOT mean that you need to severe ties with former bosses, or other business people. You MAY need them one day to help you GET a job.
9. Start now living on less. Start getting in the habit of NOT running to the mall to kill time (aka blow money). Start making your coffee at home. If you lose an income in your household, those Starbucks trips will HAVE to end. Get in the habit NOW of living on less.
10. Pay off what you can. Obviously I believe a savings is MORE important, but having debt won't help. Get diligent NOW!
Make the changes today to prepare for the worst.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Goals
This post is also appropriate for www.thebargainhuntingmommy.blogspot.com
I try to keep my blog posts written specifically for each blog, but it doesn't always work that way.
I am currently reading the book "Does this make my assets look fat?" It's a woman's guide to financial understandings. From little things like budgets and shopping to the big topics like stocks and bonds. It's a GREAT book. i checked it out at our local library. I encourage you to do the same.
one of the things that really stuck out in my head was the whole GOALS chapter. I understand goals, but i've never sat down with a pen and paper and prayerfully considered what my short, mid and long term goals are. I mean sure, I have blogged about my financial goals for this year but I haven't looked at the BIGGEST picture. So I started doing that this weekend.
Short term goals: These are to be completed within 2 months and 1 year.
Mid goals: 2-6 years. Something you expect to happen in the "next few years."
Long term goals: these may be a lifelong process. An example would be contributing to a 401k or an IRA. this is not something that can just be completed one day soon.
It makes you think--what would you REALLY like to see happen this year? in 5 years? in 30 years?
I've started my list... not complete yet but here's what I have so far.
Short term goals:
Pay off my car (next few months)
Pay off credit cards (next 3 months max.)
Save 2 months worth of bills
Mid goals:
Pay off student loans (not much in there, but I need to do it)
Have 10,000 in savings
Contribute to IRA faithfully (max it every year-$6,000)
Pay cash for a new car in about 4 years(if mine lasts til then)
Long term goals:
Buy a house (with at least 30% down)
Have a GOOD retirement saved up!
Some of these may seem silly, or seem like they aren't "goal" worthy, but to me these are the things that keep me from spending when i want to. These goals keep me in "check". Dave Ramsey always says that you HAVE to see milestones along the way. That's why he says you pay off your smallest debt first. That way you see the progress and can get excited about it.
So there ya have it... my goals.
What are yours?
I try to keep my blog posts written specifically for each blog, but it doesn't always work that way.
I am currently reading the book "Does this make my assets look fat?" It's a woman's guide to financial understandings. From little things like budgets and shopping to the big topics like stocks and bonds. It's a GREAT book. i checked it out at our local library. I encourage you to do the same.
one of the things that really stuck out in my head was the whole GOALS chapter. I understand goals, but i've never sat down with a pen and paper and prayerfully considered what my short, mid and long term goals are. I mean sure, I have blogged about my financial goals for this year but I haven't looked at the BIGGEST picture. So I started doing that this weekend.
Short term goals: These are to be completed within 2 months and 1 year.
Mid goals: 2-6 years. Something you expect to happen in the "next few years."
Long term goals: these may be a lifelong process. An example would be contributing to a 401k or an IRA. this is not something that can just be completed one day soon.
It makes you think--what would you REALLY like to see happen this year? in 5 years? in 30 years?
I've started my list... not complete yet but here's what I have so far.
Short term goals:
Pay off my car (next few months)
Pay off credit cards (next 3 months max.)
Save 2 months worth of bills
Mid goals:
Pay off student loans (not much in there, but I need to do it)
Have 10,000 in savings
Contribute to IRA faithfully (max it every year-$6,000)
Pay cash for a new car in about 4 years(if mine lasts til then)
Long term goals:
Buy a house (with at least 30% down)
Have a GOOD retirement saved up!
Some of these may seem silly, or seem like they aren't "goal" worthy, but to me these are the things that keep me from spending when i want to. These goals keep me in "check". Dave Ramsey always says that you HAVE to see milestones along the way. That's why he says you pay off your smallest debt first. That way you see the progress and can get excited about it.
So there ya have it... my goals.
What are yours?
Monday, January 16, 2012
How are you gonna save up that money?
So, it's time to ask yourself the question you have been avoiding--how are you going to save up that money?
We've talked about saving money, living on less, getting rid of things that we do NOT need to survive. Getting rid of items we don't wear, use, cook with, watch,read, listen to, etc.
I have another blog where i give lots of tips for this. Check it out HERE if you haven't already.
But let's get down to it... if you really want to save up money ($500, $1000, $1500, etc) how do you plan to do it? If you are struggling to make ends meet already, how do you SAVE up money that you do NOT have?
That's a question that financial bloggers address a LOT (keep in mind i am so NOT a financial blogger). Money shows, books, Dave Ramsey and people like him address this issue a lot. And some of what they say is very relevant to most people's lives. But some just straight over my head. For example, you will hear them say a lot "dip into your 401k," or "cash in the cd and repurchase at 1.4%"... HUH? What are you talking about, dude? I just want to know how to save up some money.
So, i had to come up with these on my own. It's not earth shattering by any means. It's simply some steps to help you save up to whatever amount it is that you are trying to reach.
1. HAVE A YARD SALE. so simple. Get rid of that crap in your house and gain some extra dough. Simple as that.Put the cash you make aside.
2. Sell the better items on ebay. Not much of a fee for listing and if they are good, vintage, type items you will get more for them online.
3. Raise deductibles on your insurance. This is so handy IF you do it for a short amount of time. Raise them up, and let's say you save $100 a month. Well your budget is already used to spending that amount so when you get paid each month, transfer $100 (the amount you saved by raising your deductibles) to savings. That alone will save you $1200 a year.
4. Change your cell phone plan. If you have a back up phone that will save you money to use (ex: it doesn't need a data plan), switch to THAT phone for a few months and put the difference in savings.
5. Clip coupons. Read more about that HERhttp://thebargainhuntingmommy.blogspot.com/E.
6. Don't go out to eat. It's so simple. I had a gift card to use this weekend but let me just give you a quick run down.
2 glasses of tea
1/2 chicken salad sandwhich
1/2 turkey sandwhich
1/2 bowl of potato soup
1/2 ceasar salad
TOTAL: $21.62
My cost if I had made this at home:
Well, I already had the potatoes, I already had bread, go buy some turkey meat for 3 bucks, chicken salad from the deli 3 bucks, caesar salad in a bag 2 bucks, tea bags already had. So it would have cost me nearly NOTHING to have this meal at home AND I would have been able to have this meal every day for a week if I bought the items to make it at home. So silly.
If you are trying to save money then do NOT go out to eat.
7. Car pool. If you can. I realize this is one of those "REALLY???" kinda statements but let me explain. If I have to be at work ALL day for meetings and i know i'm not going anywhere...why wouldn't I have my husband drop me off and pick me up?Just saying'... the savings ads up.
What about you? What are some ways that you can think of to save money?????
We've talked about saving money, living on less, getting rid of things that we do NOT need to survive. Getting rid of items we don't wear, use, cook with, watch,read, listen to, etc.
But how are you REALLY going to save up money?
Realisticially--Seriously--in all actuality--ultimately--however you want to word it, how are you going to get there?
I have another blog where i give lots of tips for this. Check it out HERE if you haven't already.
But let's get down to it... if you really want to save up money ($500, $1000, $1500, etc) how do you plan to do it? If you are struggling to make ends meet already, how do you SAVE up money that you do NOT have?
That's a question that financial bloggers address a LOT (keep in mind i am so NOT a financial blogger). Money shows, books, Dave Ramsey and people like him address this issue a lot. And some of what they say is very relevant to most people's lives. But some just straight over my head. For example, you will hear them say a lot "dip into your 401k," or "cash in the cd and repurchase at 1.4%"... HUH? What are you talking about, dude? I just want to know how to save up some money.
So, i had to come up with these on my own. It's not earth shattering by any means. It's simply some steps to help you save up to whatever amount it is that you are trying to reach.
1. HAVE A YARD SALE. so simple. Get rid of that crap in your house and gain some extra dough. Simple as that.Put the cash you make aside.
2. Sell the better items on ebay. Not much of a fee for listing and if they are good, vintage, type items you will get more for them online.
3. Raise deductibles on your insurance. This is so handy IF you do it for a short amount of time. Raise them up, and let's say you save $100 a month. Well your budget is already used to spending that amount so when you get paid each month, transfer $100 (the amount you saved by raising your deductibles) to savings. That alone will save you $1200 a year.
4. Change your cell phone plan. If you have a back up phone that will save you money to use (ex: it doesn't need a data plan), switch to THAT phone for a few months and put the difference in savings.
5. Clip coupons. Read more about that HERhttp://thebargainhuntingmommy.blogspot.com/E.
6. Don't go out to eat. It's so simple. I had a gift card to use this weekend but let me just give you a quick run down.
2 glasses of tea
1/2 chicken salad sandwhich
1/2 turkey sandwhich
1/2 bowl of potato soup
1/2 ceasar salad
TOTAL: $21.62
My cost if I had made this at home:
Well, I already had the potatoes, I already had bread, go buy some turkey meat for 3 bucks, chicken salad from the deli 3 bucks, caesar salad in a bag 2 bucks, tea bags already had. So it would have cost me nearly NOTHING to have this meal at home AND I would have been able to have this meal every day for a week if I bought the items to make it at home. So silly.
If you are trying to save money then do NOT go out to eat.
7. Car pool. If you can. I realize this is one of those "REALLY???" kinda statements but let me explain. If I have to be at work ALL day for meetings and i know i'm not going anywhere...why wouldn't I have my husband drop me off and pick me up?Just saying'... the savings ads up.
What about you? What are some ways that you can think of to save money?????
Friday, January 13, 2012
Started out this year pretty good...
So far this year I am feeling good about the steps I have taken to live on less.
First of all, i spent a LOT of time cleaning out my closet. And when I talk about my closet, well, you'd have to see it to believe it. It's probably bigger than my bedroom. It is MASSIVE. It holds a LOT of items in it and so many of them I do NOT need. So, I started out on a cleaning spree.
I made a pile of items to donate, a pile to take to consignment, a pile for my sister (so jealous she can wear my skinny clothes and shes 11 years older than me), AND a pile of things to give to a friend.
It was a good feeling watching those piles stack up and knowing that those items were going AWAY for GOOD!
My closet is becoming less cluttered which means that I am less stressed because I am not looking at it every day thinking "sigh--I need to clean this out". Which means that I am in a better mood, which means that my family is happier, which means that I feel better. It's CRAZY the chain of events that can happen simply from getting rid of some things that you do NOT need.
It's so nice.
I still have more to do. I have some attachments to clothes that is just plain silly. I hate to see them go, but i can't wear them. BUT, with this "Diet plan" i'm on I keep thinking that they may fit one day which would make me sad if I had gotten rid of them. We women--we are really something, aren't we?? :)
So I feel good. i am living on less. I am saving money. I am making the most out of what I have. I feel great. (except for this stomach flu I have had... oh dear Lord. It's been awful.)
Happy New Year. xoxo
First of all, i spent a LOT of time cleaning out my closet. And when I talk about my closet, well, you'd have to see it to believe it. It's probably bigger than my bedroom. It is MASSIVE. It holds a LOT of items in it and so many of them I do NOT need. So, I started out on a cleaning spree.
I made a pile of items to donate, a pile to take to consignment, a pile for my sister (so jealous she can wear my skinny clothes and shes 11 years older than me), AND a pile of things to give to a friend.
It was a good feeling watching those piles stack up and knowing that those items were going AWAY for GOOD!
My closet is becoming less cluttered which means that I am less stressed because I am not looking at it every day thinking "sigh--I need to clean this out". Which means that I am in a better mood, which means that my family is happier, which means that I feel better. It's CRAZY the chain of events that can happen simply from getting rid of some things that you do NOT need.
It's so nice.
I still have more to do. I have some attachments to clothes that is just plain silly. I hate to see them go, but i can't wear them. BUT, with this "Diet plan" i'm on I keep thinking that they may fit one day which would make me sad if I had gotten rid of them. We women--we are really something, aren't we?? :)
So I feel good. i am living on less. I am saving money. I am making the most out of what I have. I feel great. (except for this stomach flu I have had... oh dear Lord. It's been awful.)
Happy New Year. xoxo
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Being minimalistic does not mean....
That I never buy anything.
That my closet consists only of khakis and white t's
That i own 2 pairs of shoes (tennis and dressy)
That my walls are bare
That we don't have cable
That we only drink water and eat raw things
That we sing kum-ba-ya every day
That I don't have wedding rings
That we sleep in sleeping bags
That we camp a lot and cook our food by a real fire
That we never go anywhere
That I don't read Cosmo
That i don't know who the Kardashians are
That everything i eat is organic
That I drive a Prius
That my husband doesn't own a razor
That our furniture is tiny
That I wear clogs
That we take cold showers
That I have home remedies for EVERYTHING
That I don't see a doctor
That I don't wear makeup
That we eat raw food
That I am a hippie
That i only listen to indie music
That my child can only play with homemade toys
That i don't use a bank to store my money
That I never dream of being wealthy
That fashion is no longer my passion
That I use large words and talk way out of my league
That people meet me and KNOW I must be practicing minimalism
That I fast a lot for random reasons
That i drink LOADS of coffee (I Do that, but not b/c i'm minimalistic)
That my life is free from stress and hectic days
That I don't dream of a big vacation
That i don't often treat myself
That my bank account is bursting at the seams with $$$$$$$
That i plan to quit my job and go on a safari
This is MY list. MY list of the most common misconceptions with minimalism and things I have heard FIRSTHAND being said and questions I have actually been asked...
Being minimalistic DOES mean...
That I save money where i can
That i think very hard before I buy anything
That I like to donate items
That I enjoy buying things at second hand shops and yard sales
That my clothing budget is much smaller than the average 27 year old
That my daughter has learned to appreciate "gently used" items
That i do enjoy a cup of coffee at home, instead of going out and paying for it
That indie music is one of my favs simply b/c i LIKE it
That I try to do my best to save for an item I really want
That I have began investing in my retirement
That I DO actually save pennies
That sometimes we camp to get a vacation and not spend as much money
That we DO enjoy quiet nights at home by the fire place or the firepit
That my dreams of "wealth" now do not involve money
That my makeup is not some special name brand
That our furniture was carefully thought out to fit our room and not overwhelm
That the simpler(free and cheaper) things in life we partake in more
That I DO spend more time reading than watching tv (ill explain later)
That sometimes i feel guilty about having so many pairs of shoes
That I enjoy down sizing "stuff"
That my closet consists only of khakis and white t's
That i own 2 pairs of shoes (tennis and dressy)
That my walls are bare
That we don't have cable
That we only drink water and eat raw things
That we sing kum-ba-ya every day
That I don't have wedding rings
That we sleep in sleeping bags
That we camp a lot and cook our food by a real fire
That we never go anywhere
That I don't read Cosmo
That i don't know who the Kardashians are
That everything i eat is organic
That I drive a Prius
That my husband doesn't own a razor
That our furniture is tiny
That I wear clogs
That we take cold showers
That I have home remedies for EVERYTHING
That I don't see a doctor
That I don't wear makeup
That we eat raw food
That I am a hippie
That i only listen to indie music
That my child can only play with homemade toys
That i don't use a bank to store my money
That I never dream of being wealthy
That fashion is no longer my passion
That I use large words and talk way out of my league
That people meet me and KNOW I must be practicing minimalism
That I fast a lot for random reasons
That i drink LOADS of coffee (I Do that, but not b/c i'm minimalistic)
That my life is free from stress and hectic days
That I don't dream of a big vacation
That i don't often treat myself
That my bank account is bursting at the seams with $$$$$$$
That i plan to quit my job and go on a safari
This is MY list. MY list of the most common misconceptions with minimalism and things I have heard FIRSTHAND being said and questions I have actually been asked...
Being minimalistic DOES mean...
That I save money where i can
That i think very hard before I buy anything
That I like to donate items
That I enjoy buying things at second hand shops and yard sales
That my clothing budget is much smaller than the average 27 year old
That my daughter has learned to appreciate "gently used" items
That i do enjoy a cup of coffee at home, instead of going out and paying for it
That indie music is one of my favs simply b/c i LIKE it
That I try to do my best to save for an item I really want
That I have began investing in my retirement
That I DO actually save pennies
That sometimes we camp to get a vacation and not spend as much money
That we DO enjoy quiet nights at home by the fire place or the firepit
That my dreams of "wealth" now do not involve money
That my makeup is not some special name brand
That our furniture was carefully thought out to fit our room and not overwhelm
That the simpler(free and cheaper) things in life we partake in more
That I DO spend more time reading than watching tv (ill explain later)
That sometimes i feel guilty about having so many pairs of shoes
That I enjoy down sizing "stuff"
Favorite Blog of 2011
My favorite blog to read in 2011 was/is..... BECOMING MINIMALIST!!!!!
I love this blog. I read it every day, and re-read old posts when he doesn't have new ones available. PLEASE check out his blog.
My favorite post of the year is hard to pin point, BUT, I gained a lot of perspective and inspiration from the following post.
I hope since I love his blog so much he doesn't get mad at me for sharing it :)
http://www.becomingminimalist.com/2011/04/01/minimalism-quotes/
My favorite quote is...
“Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter.”
Remember this quote as you are either on your journey towards a minimalistic lifestyle OR as you consider living one...
I love this blog. I read it every day, and re-read old posts when he doesn't have new ones available. PLEASE check out his blog.
My favorite post of the year is hard to pin point, BUT, I gained a lot of perspective and inspiration from the following post.
I hope since I love his blog so much he doesn't get mad at me for sharing it :)
http://www.becomingminimalist.com/2011/04/01/minimalism-quotes/
My favorite quote is...
“Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter.”
Remember this quote as you are either on your journey towards a minimalistic lifestyle OR as you consider living one...
As the new year approaches...
Well folks, we have already begun talking about our new years resolutions... but it seems as though I am CONSTANTLY adding to this list :) I told you about my financial new years resolutions in THIS post, but I failed to talk about my minimalistic resolutions.
I walked around my house this weekend when I was taking down all of my Christmas decorations and looked around at my "stuff". No matter how much I get rid of, there is always more to gain. No matter how much i want to not HAVE all of this STUFF... I do. So that got me thinking about New Years Resolutions in a minimalistic way.
While these resolutions may not be as cut and dry as my financial goals, they are still very real to me.
In 2012 I would like to accomplish the following:
1. I want to buy less. I do better each year, but still not good enough. I pray that I can be content with what I have and that I can fight urges to splurge.
2. I want to get rid of more. I want to downsize my closet, my cupboards, my storage building... I want to be content living on LESS!
3. I want to teach my daughter the value of a dollar. Whether that is going to be through an allowance, through having her pick items to donate, or what ... i haven't decided. But before 2012 ends, she will understand more about money.
4. I want to blog more about living on less. It keeps me accountible.
5. I want to give more. I want to give more money and more time to those less fortunate and those charities that NEED me.
6. I want to appreciate nature more. Sounds so silly doesn't it?But it's true. I get SO caught up in going, and doing, and hanging out with friends that I forget to appreciate the little things that are around me that GOD created for me to enjoy.
7. I want to spend more time reading. Granted I do read a lot as it is, but I want to spend more time reading.
There ya go. 7 Minimalistic Matthew's Resolutions.
I walked around my house this weekend when I was taking down all of my Christmas decorations and looked around at my "stuff". No matter how much I get rid of, there is always more to gain. No matter how much i want to not HAVE all of this STUFF... I do. So that got me thinking about New Years Resolutions in a minimalistic way.
While these resolutions may not be as cut and dry as my financial goals, they are still very real to me.
In 2012 I would like to accomplish the following:
1. I want to buy less. I do better each year, but still not good enough. I pray that I can be content with what I have and that I can fight urges to splurge.
2. I want to get rid of more. I want to downsize my closet, my cupboards, my storage building... I want to be content living on LESS!
3. I want to teach my daughter the value of a dollar. Whether that is going to be through an allowance, through having her pick items to donate, or what ... i haven't decided. But before 2012 ends, she will understand more about money.
4. I want to blog more about living on less. It keeps me accountible.
5. I want to give more. I want to give more money and more time to those less fortunate and those charities that NEED me.
6. I want to appreciate nature more. Sounds so silly doesn't it?But it's true. I get SO caught up in going, and doing, and hanging out with friends that I forget to appreciate the little things that are around me that GOD created for me to enjoy.
7. I want to spend more time reading. Granted I do read a lot as it is, but I want to spend more time reading.
There ya go. 7 Minimalistic Matthew's Resolutions.
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