HOLIDAYS ARE OVER (GROAN)

NOW THE REAL FUN BEGINS and it won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination. Just as most new years begin, we are starting over and that includes all the bills we had paid up to this time. They come due again and lets face it, nothing has really changed as far as income or winning a lottery. Oh yes, and taxes are now due as of April 15, 2008, so we need to prepare by watching for all the pertinent papers we will start getting from our employers, banks and other sources of income we need to claim. If you itemize, keep all paid out receipts for your taxes and even if you aren't sure, keep them anyway. Interests on large items for sales taxes are even important.

CREDIT CARD CHARGES will probably be due for the first month of the year and they may appear pretty large at first. But pay whatever you can afford, remembering interests charges on the amount still owing will also be high. At this point, all spending should stop and sticking to your budget take front role in your daily activities. (Maybe even a second job or lots of overtime?). Stay calm and focused to keep your head above water and everything should go pretty smoothly. And once you know if you owe any taxes or are getting money back, you can decide which safe direction to go when it comes to your bills. Be careful about getting tax money early by paying a fee. In the long run, save your self some cost and the time will go by fast enough. If it seems to save you money by paying a credit card off early, then that is the judgement only you will be able to see as long as it shows in black and white. If you have been fortunate enough to actually not have gone over board, then you need to pat yourself on the back and realize you are sitting pretty. Just don't rely on something being there before you get it and really use what you actually have in your hand. Remember to save and start your new Christmas Club saving for ahead of time. Actually, I've never been able to do this, but that doesn't mean anyone out there can't do this.

RETIREMENT WILL COME SOON ENOUGH even if you think it's taking a long time. Unless you actually plan for retirement, you will be greatly disappointed. Not having more than what you need to live on a daily bases will limit what you can do pertaining to entertainment as well as Holiday buying and just simple trips to visit the family. Cost of living plays such an important part of effect on a retiree's income and being unprepared hurts. No one can actually predict exactly what is needed, but saving as much as possible certainly won't hurt. Keeping your health good is also important since today's way of life has extended seniors life's span. And if you're unhealthy, your savings will expire before you do just from medical costs and the lack of insurance regulations. So be happy and keep as much of your income in a good interest bearing account and curb spending and wanting to have everything Joe Blow has. This is the beginning of the new!

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.