Tomorrow I'm meeting with Ruben. I've told the majority of my family...Mom, Dad, Sisters, even the ex, that I'm meeting with a financial planner tomorrow, and it will be my first day on financial lock-down.
I'm actually looking forward to it. Not being limited by what I can do, because in general, I don't do much - but...by knowing that my expenses and spending are under control. That I don't have to fear the mailbox, or logging on to my accounts.
One thing that I actually have never learned is saving over time, and the process of delayed gratification. I'm looking forward to that, and the one thing I see here on this site is that everyone is very good at planning, and saving. I love seeing someone put $10 in their "laptop" jar, because I know by reading these posts that people actually get to go out and buy that item knowing the money was allocated just for that.
Instead, I wait until there's a whole bunch of money in my account (a bonus, or just a surplus) and I go spend the lump sum, and forget that next month I have a shortfall, and BOOM - there goes the checking account again. I HATE THAT. I am committed to never having that happen again.
NEVER.
NEVER.
N-E-V-E-R E-V-E-R!!!!!!!
Now that we have that clear -
I am amazed at how many people actually care that I'm writing this blog, and have written me with advice and support. THANK YOU.
But, I don't see many people here from South Florida, so I think it's important that I clarify again a little about who I am, and what my goals are.
South Florida is a very high cost of living, and I live in one of the most costly areas in South Florida. Our average FPL bill is several hundred dollars. The kids here wear designer clothes, drive designer cars (yes, at 16), have everything handed to them, and women spend ENDLESS $$$ on LOOKING GOOD.
That's NOT me, nor is it my family.
But - let's set the expectation. I'm never going to have a $40 electric bill. I won't have a $10 cable bill, and I most likely will continue to spend money on manicures and pedicures, nice hair cuts, technology, etc. because I do make enough money to do that AND save at the same time.
The objective is to get it all under control. There are SO many areas that I can cut back on, and will never feel the pinch. There are ways that I can save that I won't feel limited, and will feel rewarded and balanced for having done it the right way.
I can teach my kids that you can make money and have nice things, and save and plan for rainy days and retirement, but it takes control and discipline. It's more the way I spend it, than how much that needs revising. I just want to be realistic, and still get the support and comraderie that I have already felt here on this site.
So, I'm going to take the most important piece of advice from everyone, and write down my goals. I must create realistic, achievable goals, but ones that will make a difference in my life. I need to see even in a week or two that I'm making progress, because even though I realize the value of delayed gratification - I'm an instant gratification kind of girl. (haven't you figured that out yet?)
Count down to tomorrow
June 17th, 2007 at 07:33 pm
June 17th, 2007 at 08:27 pm 1182112026
You start with $20 and try and figure out how to add to that sum. I save all money I save when I use a coupon or my Ingles advantage card at the grocery.
I save all my change and put it in my savings when I save $30 or more.
I do surveys on line and earn money that way.
I pay myself $1 for every mile I walk or every 20 flights of stairs.
I pay myself $1 for a no gas use day.
I pay myself $1 every time the Braves win.
I paid off some property and i add that money to my $20 challenge each month. (the payment)
I dropped term insurance and add that payment to my challenge money.
Any unexpected checks or bonuses get added to the challenge.
Some have yard sales, garage sales, sell on e bay, etc.
I have already saved up over $12,000 extra this year.
I put the actual cash in my 5.12% savings account about once a month. Hope that helps!!
June 17th, 2007 at 08:29 pm 1182112174
June 18th, 2007 at 02:51 am 1182135068
June 23rd, 2007 at 05:23 am 1182576200