Are you looking to turn the money ship around in 2017? Who isn't? Even budgeting pros need to develop good habits sometimes. So let's talk about six money habits you can develop now.
Each week I get countless Facebook or YouTube comments (and even emails) from people who say the same thing: "I try to budget but I just can't seem to stick to it."
I totally understand that. Like I said last week, no one is perfect at budgeting all the time. However, in my personal budget failure experiences, there seem to be a few things that pop up over and over again in failed budgets.
Last week I wrote a blog post called "7 Things You Probably Forgot to Budget." I laid out, well, seven things you probably forgot to budget (hence the title).
Little did I know when I wrote that post I was being a big 'ole hypocrite. Let me fill you in...
Has this ever happened to you? You sit down and make your budget. It's perfect. It's gleaming. Every penny is accounted for and then your kid gets sick, you realize you need to change your oil and your third-grader got invited to two birthday parties. Yup. Been there. (Only my child is five.)
Today I wanted to talk about 7 things you probably forgot to budget. Because we all do this at some point.
I enjoy saving money. As a reformed (ahem... reforming??) spender I get a little thrill when I get a good deal, cut down on a bill or end up spending less than I budgeted.
But I have had to caution myself and work to really save money. It's one thing to pay less than retail or cut back on your expenses. It's another thing entirely to ACTUALLY save that money. And by save, I mean move to your savings account for a rainy day or applying toward a goal or debt.
When I first found out I was pregnant with my oldest son I heard a lot of comments like "sleep while you can" or "it's going to go by so fast" or "be prepared to have no money."
And while it is true that babyhood goes by in the blink of an eye and that sleep is a commodity more precious than coffee or chocolate, the last one I have to disagree with.
“I can’t do this anymore, I feel like I am running but not getting anywhere and I want to quit.” That’s what the message I got on Facebook read.
It wasn’t the first time I have gotten a comment or email from someone who was just at the end of their financial rope. I get hundreds of messages and comments each week from women who are frustrated, exhausted and they just want to give up.
My husband travels a lot for work. While it's not a convenient way to live, my husband's job has afforded me the opportunity to be at home with our small children.
However, I'm not going to sugar coat; it having one spouse that travels can wreak havoc on your finances if there isn't clear communication about your budget and financial goals.
Here are a few tips for making budgeting a little easier when one spouse is traveling.
Goals are important. Without them, it's really hard to anchor our time.
When we make a to-do list, that's a goal. When we set out to lose weight with a number in mind, that's a goal.
Why not deal with finance the same way?
Jason and I are currently working on some big savings goals. We decided in February of this year on a specific number we needed in our savings account and estimated how long it would take us to get there.
We've made great progress. But we've also had some setbacks.
A few weeks ago I was watching a family YouTube channel. The video was all about what the couple got their kids for Christmas. It was a fun video and the family is just precious. I don't know why but I found myself reading the comments. I never do this because let's be honest the comments section is where discourse goes to die. (Except here. You guys are wonderful!)
The comments that kept popping up were "look at how much money you're wasting" or "your children are so spoiled."