MANY OPTIONS FOR SPENDING MONEY

BEING SELECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING is pretty easy to do, but often, the selection seems to have the high cost every where you look. This will happen, especially the closer you get to the final day before the Holiday. Again, check all ads and try the last minute shopping for better prices. And if you are patient enough, the day after a Holiday can be more rewarding. The hardest feat is to be patient, because we tell ourselves if we don't get it right then, someone else will, or at least they will have it before we do. People have actually been willing to spend much more than they should because they " have to have it", and give the "takers" reason to exist. This is our human reactions to the way the world does things, but can be very costly. Training yourself to control your money is an every day event and something that needs to be worked at constantly. Becoming complacent and not taking the actions suggested to protect yourself, again end up being costly. Experience is the best teacher and there will be times you will take a risk and see what results come out of that action, but some things are using your own feelings and learning to trust your decisions.
FOR WHATEVER REASONS, things will happen that end up not the best results, and hind-sight will hit you like a ton of bricks. Be sure to keep your vision in front of you and you should be able to come to a conclusion on what to do. This not only comes to spending, but also to investing and life altering decisions you do make. Getting whatever information needed to help make that decision will help you. This is repeating the past blogs, but another way of working at reaching your goal. Balance and accounting is the way to manage your money to help you reach calm and comfort in your life span. We all deserve nothing less.

COUNT DOWN FOR SHOPPING

THE DAYS ARE COMING TO THE DEADLINE for the last little shopping that needs to be done. This can be the most stressful time of all, but remain calm and you will get through it. Remember to keep your budget at hand and pay all your due bills before going any farther with your shopping. This procedure will help relieve the building stress and remember, there's always Christmas Eve shopping that gives you the best deals cost wise. Never allow yourself to be put in a position that only ends up hurting you and costing you more for the sake of looking good about a gift. Keep in control and do only what you can afford for right now. There will always be next year as long as you're willing to prepare for it. And by managing your money you will be working towards that goal for next year. If you have to put off a bill, be sure to call them and give them a heads up, even if you have to do it every single year till this bill is paid off. But remember, you are creating one of those "bad" ruts if you choose this action and it may not be the right choice to keeping the control of your budget. Use these suggestions if they work for you, because what you have been doing hasn't been working so far. Excuses only delay an already out of hand situation, so staying strong will help you control all the actions you take towards your goals.
ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATE the birthday of Jesus as this is what this Holiday is all about. Giving will probably make you feel good no matter how inexpensive the gift, because the thought is what counts. Keeping a light heart is part of the giving experience as everyone will reflect off your brightness as well. Try smiling at everyone you meet and see what happens to that person or persons. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give to anyone is the happy side of yourself. It gets contagious and spreads like a virus. All people want to be hopeful that all is well with the world, and smiling kind of gives that a sample of the hope. Be giving but stay in control and you probably will feel warm inside letting you know that this is what it's all about.

THE FEELING TO GIVE MONEY

THIS IS THE SEASON WHEN GIVING is often expected, whether it be your church or just to the poor. Sometimes giving your last $5.00 for one of these occasions will be the most rewarding feeling you will have had all year. It's the sense of being less selfish and acknowledging others around you, becoming a part of something bigger than yourself. Some people actually allow for this in their budget for this time of the year. There are all kinds of organizations that will send you requests in the mail asking for a donation. Having good credit helps these people to know who you are or get the information through your spending means, sometimes being a bank or a store where you purchase and pay for an item. If you allow for this in your budget, you can pretty well select whom you'd like to give to and support. Again, use your judgement and do your homework making sure these organizations are legit and are the ones you wish to support. However, once you do donate to them, you will get requests through out the year and have to use you own decision on how to handle these requests. Being supportive with your own control is something you can decide on how it works for you. Always be alert and check things out before committing to any monetary support from you. Be sure your budget can support what you offer because you can also make a mistake that gets you into financial trouble and will only not work for you or the organization in the long run.
WORKING YOUR BUDGET to fit all things you want to do in your life time is a great task, but one you can do and be rewarded with a good feeling of pride. This alone is worth the wait, to achieve your goal. What you think of yourself should be the major priority towards getting to your goal with the management of your money and know you can and will do this. When looking back at your path to get there, you will enjoy a good story and there probably will be a little glitter in your eyes of feeling proud. Keep your thoughts on your path to your goal and believe in yourself to accomplish your goal. Good luck and from whoever you believe in with his blessing on this journey.

STAYING ALERT ABOUT YOUR MONEY

NOW THAT YOU'RE OUT IN THE BIG WORLD with your money, you need to be alert when it comes to spending it. It's so easy to become distracted and not pay attention to what's going on around you when you're out and about shopping or dining out. I've noticed most unusual things can happen when it comes to dealing with cash. Using an ATM card or credit card needs paper work, so most odd things won't happen as often as with cash. Sometimes things happen accidentally and then other times, it's questionable. But if you stay alert, these accidents won't happen as easily. Know exactly the amount you are paying and never leave it to the waitress or clerk to do the figuring for you. Know what money you should get back in change and always be aware of the amount you give for the bill or tab. People can honestly make mistakes, but if you have a heads up, you will make sure it doesn't happen to you. It can also happen to a clerk just as easily and this I know from experience. It was a busy time of day in the store I worked and a man asked for change for a twenty. With a few swipes of the hand and back and forth, he ended up walking out with an extra ten. And this can happen, but keeping ahead and knowing what to do, it never got a chance to happen again. It was just as easy as saying, I don't have it and asked him to leave cause they will try it with a customer right in front of you.
DURING THE SHOPPING TIMES of this season, try not to carry very much cash. And when using a credit card, always pay attention to what you sign and the amount you sign for. If using an ATM card with a pin number, be aware of the people around you and keep it covered as much as possible. An ounce of prevention is worth watching over your money and protecting you. It's that time of year and the time people you don't usually see other times of the year all of a sudden appear. Especially during these times when money is tight and many people are losing their homes and are going to have a really ugly Christmas for their families. Keeping alert will not only be good for you but you will also help the otherwise bad person from coming out of a potentially good person. Trust is wonderful to have, but it also needs to be handled in a wise and adult way in order for it to be good and useful. There's no room for accusation but being aware will definitely give you control to keep it from getting out of hand. This is your right so don't become intimidated by the other person. This can be done in a simple down to earth action where everyone comes out o.k. Stay alert and enjoy the season.

GETTING TOO COMFORTABLE WITH MONEY

ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES A PERSON MAKES is thinking it's o.k. to add another bill just because everything runs pretty smooth for a couple of weeks. It is so easy to forget, that just a week ago, you were broke. This week you're fine so you figure why not get that Internet service that's faster, but does cost a lot more. Or maybe you got a raise and decide now is the time to upgrade your cable service. Being sure you are were you want to be and doing all the bill paying and savings should always be in the picture. Not being prepared can be more costly in the long run. If you really can't afford this extra, swallow and forget it for the moment. Everything takes time, and this is where you need to be patient. Most people want everything yesterday, but it will be there tomorrow and maybe cheaper or with more affordable options. Do your homework and not put yourself in a bind where you'll lose the service quickly before you can enjoy it. And there are always many excuses or circumstances for reasoning why you think it's o.k. to act when you aren't ready.
BIG PURCHASES ALREADY WORK AGAINST your budget, but because they are a necessity, you are put in that position right from the start. Needing a car to get back and forth to work is a must and usually your biggest bill along with rent (unless you live with your parents). Essentials include, heat, food, lights, and fuel for your car, but they all contribute to hitting the budget. Adding another non-essential only adds more pressure if you are not really ready to afford the extra cost. Take everything into account when looking at the whole picture and slow down and sleep on it before making that decision. Choosing the right phone service that you can afford may not be your way of doing things, but you will get where you want to be if you work at it. Start small just like you would do when taking a bite of something you've never had and aren't sure you would even like. Keep the "ego" out of the picture and look smart instead of trying to impress others. You're the one that has to deal with your management of your money and they disappear with their own problems. Keep working on that budget and your savings and also work at being patient.

KEEPING YOUR CASH AT HOME

MOST PEOPLE FEEL THEIR MONEY IN HAND is safer and they can account for it better. But from past experience and having talked with those who have tried this, it really is a bad idea. For one thing, it's just way too easy to spend and not use it for what is needed. There may be a time when checks are not accepted and only money orders or cashiers checks are allowed, and then the money will need to be handy to purchase these items. And figuring out just how much cash to keep on hand is sometimes hard to do. A lot, again, depends on income one gets and what cash needs one has for the week. Some people purchase their car fuel with cash only, as well as milk and bread and cigarettes. Others prefer to use their ATM cards. If you buy lunches during the week, you probably use cash and if you have children they probably get allowances and buy their lunch during the week at school. But overall, knowing what you use and your income can be the deciding factor in the amount you keep on hand. (Don't forget that savings account.)
CASHING YOUR PAY CHECK usually is not the best idea. Bills due are usually larger than the actual pay, so one tends to go ahead and spend it on something else figuring it's not enough anyway. This can become a very "bad" rut to get into by one's reasoning it out this way. Open a savings account, usually $5.00 will open an account, and deposit most of the check, except for maybe $25.00. At least this keeps you from making a choice that will get you no where right at that moment. It's not a solution, only a deterrent from an otherwise panic action. Once you train yourself to keep the money, you can begin on managing it better and getting a handle on it. This can actually become a split second decision and at this point, take a deep breath and slow down. Clearing your thoughts will guide you in the right direction, making it come out with a positive end result.

DEALING WITH PESKY ERRORS

WHEN BALANCING A CHECKBOOK OR ACCOUNT it's so simple to make an error that will literally drive you crazy for about half an hour or longer. An example of one of the errors I make is writing down the wrong amount for a withdrawal or charge from the receipt. And of course, I know I don't have to double check myself because I never would make such an error. HA! And I never find it out even when I'm checking off the receipts against the statement. Sure, maybe the figure isn't there, but I just put it aside and continue to try to balance the account. So, we aren't all perfect, and this will happen ( more times than I can count.) I've even tried head math when my little calculator wasn't with me and boy oh boy, age sure doesn't help when it comes to head math. And I was taught without a calculator in school. Even if you don't have your spindle or didn't even write it down (don't recommend at all), you will find out the amount. I guess this could be considered one of the challenges of managing money, but I tend to lose my good sense of humor at this point. If you're like me, you don't have time to be looking for a stray few cents, but in the long-run, those few cents could add up if ignored. One year, our bank accidentally credited our checking account with $100.00. We had it for an entire year, but I have worked with financial institutes and I knew that eventually they would find it, and they did. The very next end of the year statement showed a correction and they took it away. I never did use that money, but it really bugged me every time I had to balance my checking account. They would show it was there every month. In all the accounts I've had with different banks, the errors are few and not of any consequence, and a lot of times errors are from the places I buy things from. Some actually miss-handle the charges or they lose the papers. The new machines have eliminated a lot of paper work, but postings are still done by hand and can be miss-handled easily. But this is rare so rely on their mistakes. Your mistakes are of much more importance.
ALWAYS HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IS IN YOUR ACCOUNT but remember the available balance the banks have going on. After a few years of this training about handling your money, you will be able to know exactly where you are. Don't rely on what you will get tomorrow, because things always change. Only work with what is actually there and this should help eliminate any mistakes. Mistakes can become costly. My grandson opened his first checking account and ran an inquiry to see that the money was there. Not being familiar with the banks available balance method, he started spending and began a cycle of charges that kept adding up. When he finally asked them what was going on and had a face-to-face with a consultant at the bank, they explained it to him and he stopped spending to catch up with all the extra fee charges they had added to his account. He was still able to run an inquiry to see his balance, and a lot of times it was right to the figure in his checkbook. It was an expensive lesson, but at an early start and one he won't soon forget. But it is your money, so check out the bank you want to deal with and learn all their requirements.

BECOMMING ROUTINE

HITTING THE SNOOZE ALARM, GETTING UP AND TAKING A SHOWER, AND HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE IN THE MORNING are all part of a routine that hardly varies. But in doing these things, one has trained themselves to process actions of every day life. So goes with the routine of handling ones money. The key part of a routine is prioritizing. Keeping the most important first and so on. Another process in training yourself for the future. Now, teaching and learning what's first is the beginning, but acting on this comes next in the training. Set a certain day aside that will work for you and get into the habit of doing this every week till it becomes routine. Definition; "standard course of action", which some might refer to as a rut.
PROCRASTINATING sounds like a nasty word, but it means to "put off to another time". Now it's true some of ones best works can happen when you wait till the last minute, but along with that comes living on the edge, so to speak. Cramming for a test last minute results in lose of sleep which will be felt later in life. Paying a bill late results in losing extra money which will also be felt later in life. This word is one of those "bad" habits you can train yourself and be difficult to break because it does work.
RUTS are not hard to break and can be improvised on with a little imagination. Money is a serious subject, but again, keep a good sense of humor and enjoy it while you are managing it. Yep, you are actually a manager. Just as you manage your house, family and business, so do you manage your money and don't let it sound scary. Let it be challenging but useful to you also. Once you let it become routine, it will be a lot easier to manage. Having all your information, checkbook, bills and receipts, you can organize your routine on a weekly bases. Amassing everything and processing will be the easy part. Deciding what you need, more income, another job or whatever, will be the next step. Doing this on the designated day is the next step and you are towards your goal. Be sure to set a goal, no matter if it's for a trip or your retirement or child's college or a new car. Keeping that goal always in sight is also not the easiest thing to do, but it will be at the end. And, it can be changed, but don't give it up. They say anything worked for is greatly appreciated in the end. Sounds like another way of being trained, but only time can tell.

STARTING TO BALANCE AT AGE 50

ANYONE CAN GET THEIR MONEY MANAGEMENT ON TRACK FROM ANY AGE. Just being willing to work at this is all it takes and maybe a few phone calls. And yes, it will take some time and work, but training always takes a little adjusting to get use to. First, make a list of all owing bills including utilities and food and gas. Know what your income total is for the month and write it down on the same piece of paper you totalled for your bills.
Don't panic, it may be you pay out more than you make and there lies the problem. A lot of people forget to account for all the nickle and dime that's done through out this period of time. This adds up into the picture as well and can put a dent in your "pocket". "Dad/mom, got a dollar for lunch", "Dad/mom, need $5.00 to go to the mall with my friends". "Dad/mom, got 25 cents for whatever". Before you know it, you're hitting the ATM to make up for your empty" pocket", forgetting the money in the account is for bills. (Don't forget that available balance thing all the banks do.) And now you realize you are also lacking the money to meet one of the bills and you instantly get behind. Even though you are a bank, you can train the little ones on use of their money and give them an allowance, telling them once it's gone, they have to wait tell the next week. No loans or advances. In the mean time, call the place you owe the late bill and let them know when you will be paying it. At this point, you also will owe a late charge, and that costs when you don't plan on it. O.K., so remember, you are beginning a training period. Work one to two hours overtime, just to see what this will do to your pay. It might just make up for the late charge and get you back on track. If overtime isn't available for you, consider re-consolidating your owing bill and get a lower payment, although the payment time will take longer and end up costing more than original. But again, don't panic, there is always a solution and the goal is to get yourself back into balance. " Robbing Peter to pay Paul " is really not a solution, unless you can work it out to not have to do visa-versa with Paul. Remember, everything you're doing is training you how to handle your money and break old habits. This can be done with a little work and commitment on your part.
MOST PEOPLE WANT TO CHANGE whatever is happening in their life because it's not working for them and to them, this is reaching the bottom when they decide they need change. If you have gotten there, then you are ready to begin your re-training and breaking of bad habits. Getting information is the first step of change and then applying suggestions is the on-set of the new habit. You will always have set backs, but have a good sense of humor and smile. Nothing is worth it without a little effort on your part. I recently listened to a young football player talk about his hard work of building up his body. He explained he was protecting his future by helping his body endure all the hard punishment it got from the games he played. Someone told him playing football was like putting his body in a car accident. He felt the body had a better chance of lasting without too much damage if he worked to keep it hard and in shape. This is the same for balancing your money. Keep it in shape with some hard work and it will be there for you when you need it.

OLD SCHOOL METHODS

MOST EVERYTHING I'VE SUGGESTED is considered "old school". But the idea is to make it as less painful as possible, and be the easiest way . There are many ways to set up budgets and to train yourself how to handle it, so always do what's best for you. Remember, we are all human and will make mistakes, but learn from them. This is where you take the basics and then improvise. It can become very challenging, but you need to feel that sometimes to get your attention. Go to professionals or read about what to do next. Stay committed to help make your life more comfortable as an end result. YOU ARE WORTH IT!!! Money problems can never become so out of hand that there can't be a solution. There will always be a solution. Did you know just about everything in this world depends on numbers? Look around and realize that's exactly what's going on and it's your right to deal with YOUR numbers. If there's a more modern way to do a budget, then by all means, go for it. If it gets too complicated, there's probably instructions that will work it out. Hope they won't be like those instructions for getting a H D TV to work, or the multi-channel selector to operate. Those instructions need an electrician to decipher. The point being, do what works for you and don't let it get too complicated to the final end of giving up. You don't have to have a college education to set up a budget or to handle your money. You just have to push yourself in the right direction and stick with it for good results in your life.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE EVENTS THAT SIDE-STEP YOU when dealing with your money. Crap happens but again, keep a good sense of humor and realize these also can be handled. Stay alert to basics and never put these aside, no matter what. If you keep up with your money, the other problems can be handled with when you are ready. Don't complicate your problem by adding another one. Not being, again, educated or trained in this field, I can only go by my own experiences and tell you this will help by staying alert. Attitude probably is 50 per cent a part of being successful, if that's not a little high. And getting support also helps, but only you can actually do anything, no one can do it for you. That was the hardest lesson for me to learn in life. Having my first child taught me that it was up to me to deliver this baby, no one could go through the actual delivery but me. Well, so far that's the way life has been. Again, not worrying and being happy really does help. Do your best and remember, your are worth it and look for your goal.

BEING CAUGHT UP IN SPENDING TRAPS

EVERYONE LIKES TO GET GOOD DEALS, AND this time of year seems to bring all these people out with their recommendations. It's great to know what's available, but somethings can get out of control and before you know it, you're caught. Whether it be through the mail or on the Internet. My mom was a great type of person for getting hooked on mail-order deals. She didn't have to leave her chair and go out to get her purchases, they were always cheap, and she loved to open those boxes once they came. It was like Christmas every day to her. We sat her down and put all of her written checks the bank returned once cancelled and totalled them up to show her how much she was spending weekly on these purchases. She just smiled. We even pulled out some of the items and showed duplicates because you can only order so much and end up starting over again on purchasing these items. She soon realized she was training herself to do this and it was up to her to break the trend. It wasn't easy, but she finally got the message. We are really glad we never got her started on the computer. There's no telling how many sites are out there where you can really get hooked on buying with just the push of a button and a credit card. My mom always used checks, but in today's time, credit cards are much easier. Some stores are even set up to treat your check as a credit card and print a receipt you sign and then they give you back your check.
REALIZING HOW SPENDING CAN BE ANOTHER WAY OF TRAINING YOURSELF is something to work on all the time. Some people have more energy and go shopping every week-end. They get to a point that they can't skip one time or they feel this gap and missing of something. Not being medically educated, I have to go by what I've heard from different programs, but there's some kind of chemical released inside us to make us respond to either be happy or emotional. And any actions on our parts assist these responses. So if we train ourselves to be happy when we shop, then that's probably what we will end up doing to keep happy. This is where we have to come into control and deal with our emotions. Trying not to panic, but always being aware of our limitations, so we don't end up becoming unhappy. And being in a strangle hold of money problems is about the most unhappy anyone can become. With a little effort, this should be no problem to control and still remain happy. So enjoy this season of extra shopping and remain in control with training yourself to know your limitations. Keep to your budget and be happy with yourself.

INSURANCE AND YOUR MONEY

LIFE INSURANCE, MEDICAL INSURANCE, HOME AND CAR INSURANCE are very expensive and are the hardest payments to regulate in a budget. Almost all states require car insurance in order to drive and having insurance helps if you live in a state that has no-fault insurance where you would have to fix your own car from an accident. In some cases, you are allowed PL &PD which covers only you and can still be expensive but affordable. This type of insurance has no assistance from state or employer to help you so it's totally up to you to find a good car insurance company and make the best set-up to get the insurance and meet the premiums. Life insurance usually is available where you work. The premiums can be low and range from any amount to help with funeral costs. Medical insurance is the most costly but with a little homework on your part can be obtained. Some employers will offer insurance packages and some states offer assistance, depending on your income and size of family. Medical services and prescriptions have gone out of sight cost wise. It is almost impossible to be without medical insurance and it gets worse the older you get and after you retire. Being very determined in your savings will help towards your retirement and these outrageous (sorry, lost it there for a moment) costs. Set up an actual savings account specifically targeted for medical expenses. When we were growing up, incomes weren't big enough to even consider this type of insurance. If you needed to go to the doctor, you made a bill and paid on it monthly like any other due bill. We could go into detail as to why the medical field has gone wild, but be concerned about protecting yourself and getting what you need for your health. It appears most insurance is being geared towards emergency needs rather than preventative medicine when it comes to coverage. This is reflected in what the companies say they will actually cover. Again, a little homework on your part should help with knowing and learning what you can afford. Looking at your budget, we have now come up with necessities that will always be in the budget. Medical insurance really should be one of these items just because it is so expensive. If there is ever anything done by anyone to get it back under control, then ones budget can be adjusted. Until then, commit and save to help keep some control.

MONEY MANAGEMENT TRAINING

HARD WORK REQUIRES COMMITMENT and being in mental readiness to accomplish this task. We had oatmeal for breakfast with blueberries, supposedly good for the elders. And knowing this we thought about the process of making the oatmeal and how much easier it is to just open a box of cold cereal and pour it into a bowl. Going that extra step is really HARD!! And since it's not something we do every morning (which the recommendation is 30 days), it's easier to ignore. What's worse is the fact you can now do this in a microwave making it faster and easier, but still requiring the extra effort. So goes it with breaking bad habits and learning to train oneself in money discipline. Getting into the right frame of mind usually is easier to do when you fall to the bottom in the "pit" and agree something has to change to feel and get better where you and your money are concerned. If you're younger, it's easier to train yourself because you haven't gotten use to any bad habits.
GROCERY SHOPPING IS AS GOOD OF A PLACE TO START AS ANY when it comes to training yourself. Any good money management starts with a few recommendations as to how to go about food shopping. And you've probably heard them all;
1. Eat right before you food shop
2. Make a list
3. Take coupons for items you need
4. Check paper ads from all stores and go where they have the best prices
By now you realize this is going to take a little effort just to feed yourself or family. It's also suggested to buy groceries for a week or two, depending on your budget. Going every day for food is more costly for many reasons. Using more gas to drive to the store, not being there the day of the sales, etc. Set a specific day aside for groceries unless you run out of a staple such as milk or bread. Try to stay away from convenience stores unless it's an emergency. Learn to buy certain things that will last a week or two and adjust your grocery shopping day to cover these items. This is one money management that really affects your money more than anyone even suspects. It's the one big thing that can get out of control because it is time consuming and requires an effort on ones part. Most stores are set up to have more than food items so having to go to different stores isn't necessary. But again, watch prices as some of these stores will ask a higher price for the same item you can get cheaper somewhere else. Way the cost between gas usage and pennies for the price at a different store.
LOTS OF PEOPLE LIKE TO TREAT THEMSELVES and tend to spend a little extra on different foods or drinks. Always look at where your life is and if the cost will interrupt the situation enough to not be worth the extra expense. If all you can afford is hamburger instead of sirloin, then that's the adjustment needed. A Starbucks could replace that bottle of pop for you for the week. Way it out and if that's o.k. , then take the step. Getting into the habit of using these recommendations is a matter of training. Try them and adjust to what's working for you and track how it works with your money. There are many how-to-books and information out there for suggestions and recommendations that will help if these I've listed just don't work for you.

INTEREST RATES ON CREDIT CARDS

CREDIT CARD INTEREST RATES going up higher has never been a surprise no matter how good you are at keeping up with payments and watching your balance. Until there's regulations regarding these issues, we are all pretty much at their mercy when borrowing their money. And that is what we are doing when we use a credit card. Some people can afford to pay off their balances monthly, but then there's the rest of us on a budget. Having only one credit card can somewhat help control this problem and make it a little easier to keep one's head above water. But that's how these companies make money and again what makes the world go round. It only adds to the frustration of not getting into a debt that becomes out of control. Don't panic and stay calm, but quit using that card even if you aren't done shopping. Believe me, the relatives can survive better knowing you're o.k. No one wants to be the cause of someones demise!! And the girlfriend should be a good person and big enough to accept anything instead of an expensive bangle (or take a second look if she's not). This is learning to train yourself on dealing with a budget and your money. Being hog tied to a credit card bill for more than a year is unnecessary. Looking at the balance and the payments can give a clue as to what action you need to take. Remember, you can always call the other creditors and make arrangements to help ease the problem.
WONDERING HOW THIS ALL STARTED is going back to the ads sent to you in the mail offering these good interest rates; of course small print reveals a limited period of time and then the interest rate will revert back to it's original price including any increases. Being totally aware of all the fine print is another way to do one's homework. Sometimes, even that will not stop this from changing and still be unexpected. Keep a good sense of humor and go in stride realizing anything that can happen, probably will. And, everyone seems to be hit by these changes. Regulate your use and remember, it's the same scenario with any credit card company, so don't be surprised when nothing is different if you change credit card companies.

LOOKING AT ALL THE ADS AND MONEY OFFER MAIL

IT HAPPENS TO ALL OF US THIS TIME OF YEAR and it really gets time consuming as well as making a mess of our home with clutter. But, be patient, it's all part of what makes the world go around. The post office charges a signification postage rate to these companies and the companies supposedly get it back through the advertising anyone responds to. And sometimes there will be good deals to respond to. So take the time and read everything and think of yourself as adding to what makes the world continue to go around. Just remember to shred anything that has your name on it for a credit card application or any information that may be about you.
AN EMAIL WAS RECENTLY SENT TO US regarding a problem someone had ordering from a well-known company on line. And anything is possible that there could be complications. But it was one isolated incident, so we tend to read, be cautious, but check it out further before accepting this as gospel to the companies practice of handling on-line orders. Everyone has their stories as to what can happen, but it doesn't hurt to investigate further before coming to a conclusion. Again, it's important to do your homework when it comes to spending your money. Sounds like I'm trying to train you to become a tightwad, but honestly, would it hurt just to be diligent about your money?
SAVING MONEY AT THIS TIME into your savings account isn't easy to do at this time of year, so beating yourself up shouldn't be an option just because you don't save much during this time . There, now that's not training you to be a tightwad. But if you happen to manage your money using any of these suggestions, that sure sounds like you've given it the old college try and should pat yourself on the back. So good luck and keep working at managing your money during these next couple of weeks before the Holidays come to an end. Don't forget the after Holiday sales.

LITTLE INVESTMENTS THAT BECOME IMPORTANT

THERE ARE OTHER INVESTMENTS YOU MAKE IN YOUR LIFETIME that will seem so little and really have no meaning to you at the time, but they will have real importance. Buying a home is a big investment, but how you manage it plays a very big part of your overall investment. My sister has a home that contains a broken dishwasher that she feels she can do without at this time, but she wants to sell this home and probably will have to replace the item before she puts it up for sale. Doing this will give selling points for the home. Just as giving the home a fresh coat of paint or adding a garage to the house or a deck,etc. , all lead to creating a better investment outcome. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today. Keep your home as a business and replace and fix broken things right when they happen. In the long run you will save on rising costs of materials, because history shows nothing has come down in cost. The investment part only goes up when we are in a good market. But have you not heard the old adage, buy when prices are low?
MANY PEOPLE SAY THAT THERE'S NOT MUCH PROPERTY LEFT IN THE U.S. but look around. It's there, just costly or needing a lot of work. Past family in-laws bought property on one of those "we'll fly you free" packages in Florida to buy property, which they ended up doing. They sold it ten years or so ago (one block away from Disney World). You just never know what kind of result will actually come from an investment, but again try to do your homework.
WHEN SELLING A HOME OR A CAR even if you sell it as is, put some elbow grease into making it shiny and looking really good and well kept up. I've even done this with any apartment I've had, as I've gotten more mature (Heaven only knows what I was thinking when I was young). The point being, these are investments, and you want a good end result if you plan on capturing the money from these investments. As you get older, have your children or grandchildren help or hire someone to keep things in tip-top shape. In fact, getting older does make it easier to see the importance of all this. But no matter how small anything may seem to you, keep it in mind it's an investment. Don't walk away from it or ignore it, but also remember, it can't go with you once you're deceased. It's only on loan for your possession, not really yours at all. I find this way of thinking puts everything into prospective. And, this is another way of training yourself in handling your money. Keep up the good work!

MARRIAGE AND MONEY

MONEY HAS A WAY OF BEING one of the "hot topics" in any marriage. The very first recommendation is to work together when it comes to money matters. Most couples start out together on the same money level. (NONE) If this is the case, talk to each other and learn the MONEY habits of each. For instance, I was a "tight-wad" and my second husband had money "burn" a hole in his pocket. Didn't take long at all to figure that one out. Both of us had to adjust and come to terms and reach the middle of compromising to get any where when it came to money. I had owned 2 houses in my first marriage and he had never owned a house in his lifetime. We both worked (he was against this saying it wasn't necessary, but I had two children from the first marriage who had needs). We opened a checking account and had our pays automatically deposited each week or two. We always sat down each week (weekly) and put our bills on the table and balanced the checkbook being aware of what was there and what needed to be paid. We went grocery shopping and Wally world shopping together. (He pushed the cart cause it held him up).
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OPPOSITES when it comes to peoples demur; one is quiet while the other is out-spoken. Believe this is usually a good combination for people to be able to compromise, but that's just a guess. The main point is , use these characteristics to establish your "marriage" money habits. Be yourself but open up to each other and always be willing to know what's going on where the money is concerned. Women tend to say they really don't want to be bothered with complicated issues such as paying bills. But when or if something happens to the better half, that's exactly what's going to happen anyway. And how can that be done successfully if she's unaware of what there is or how to handle it. There are men who cop out and say they aren't good with money and let the wife take care of this and keep the checkbook. Again, this tends to create other bad money issues, and you both have a marriage which is a "BUSINESS" in itself. So keep it real and do all of it together. Times have changed since our grandparents days and keeping each other on the same level will work if we let the other know what's going on and how to handle every money situation.
WORKING MONEY PROBLEMS OUT BY YOURSELF usually leads to ulcers. Share the problem so then you both can have ulcers. Don't think that will happen, but try it and see. We've been raised to be private and money issues are about as private as anyone really wants to be, except with the spouse. Keeping your inner thoughts private about certain situations concerning money problems is o.k., saving an argument, but not keeping the issue from the other. This is one area each should be open with each other. For instance, if you lose your job, don't wait three weeks later when you're denied unemployment because you quit your job to let her/him know. That's really quite stressful and will help to create a second persons ulcers. Or there's a loan you took out without letting the other person know about and you don't have the money that's over-due. These type of things can only add to the frustration of an already complex situation just dealing with every day issues. These are some examples of training yourselves in handling your money. Previous training undoubtedly would make this a whole lot easier once you do get married, but again only in a perfect world "NOT".