Christmas can be a stressful time of the year. We have gift lists, grocery lists, decoration lists, and don’t forget all the parties to attend. It all adds up on the calendar, and in our wallets.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Christmas can be fun, relaxing, and an enjoyable time. With a few tweaks, you can have fun during the holidays and keep the money in the bank!
Set a budget! It should include EVERYTHING: your food, decor, gifts for family and friends, and travel. Use one of my many charts to help you plan for Christmas all year long! The Debt-Free Christmas Chart is great to build a fund for all your Christmas expenses. I also have a Holiday Fund and Christmas Charts. And for your serious planning needs there's the Ultimate Christmas Pack.
If you have a large extended family, set amount limits. Plan potluck events as opposed to you providing all the food. This year you could save by holding off on any new decorations. Make them yourself as a family. Get creative on how to NOT spend money!
Your gift list may be large, but the spending doesn’t have to be. Look for sales throughout the year and buy a little at a time. Put those presents in a container in your closet to keep them safe until you need them. This works great for birthdays and last minute gift needs as well. If I see something that I know will work for someone in my life, I buy it when I can and save it. Here’s a great blog on when to buy, with a free downloadable guide. I like to buy all my holiday decorations after the holiday. They’re on sale, and I put them away for the following year.
These options can save you so much money. If you have a credit card that earns points or cashback, save them for your Christmas shopping. I love my Amazon credit card, I use it for all my Amazon purchases. Then when Cyber Monday comes along, I spend them! I buy almost all my presents by Cyber Monday. Look for coupons through Groupon. You can get your loved ones an experience over a physical gift.
This is a great way to spend time with family and save on gifts. Bake your favorite treats, or make fun gift baskets for the families on your list. The baskets could have themes: movie night, spa day, etc. One year a friend of mine gave us cinnamon rolls. All we had to do was put them in the oven Christmas morning! I still dream about them, because cinnamon rolls taste better when someone else does all the work! Another fun, unique gift: make your own extracts. You’re only limited to your imagination!
When shopping for your kids remember this little poem. Buy them something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. It can be so easy to get sucked into the hysteria of the newest and greatest, so stick to this and you’ll avoid the drama.
Do you have an addiction to needing just one more piece? Guilty! Whether it be for the lawn, the tree, or the table, STOP! This year, decide you will make do with what you have. Don't buy, even when it’s a really great price! Say no and wait until next Christmas.
Turn this into a mantra if you must! Confession time, I love shopping in stores during Christmas. The smells, the sights, the decorations, the music, I can’t help but be happy. But then I find so many things I didn’t know I needed! Avoid impulse buys and the added gifts by shopping online. Still don’t trust yourself? Put all your items in the cart and then sleep on it before you click buy.
By shopping online you will also save yourself in gas and time. I also find when I’m Christmas shopping I eat out more. Or I treat myself to that limited peppermint mocha-every time I shop!
Now before you go, "nope, I have kids", hear me out. While this might be hard, it could be the best Christmas you’ve ever had. Full disclosure, I have never tried this. But I got the idea from a friend of mine, who said when they were teens, their family did this. Instead of buying presents, their family went on a service trip. If you are not familiar with this, check out this article. Not only does it explain it, but connects you with some great organizations. He, and his 3 younger siblings, still reflect on that being one of their top 5 Christmases.
So start small, you could do handmade gifts for only one year. On Christmas day share stories and words of encouragement. Find a service project. Working together as a family is a great way to bond. End the day with a fun family dinner.
Having a debt free Christmas doesn’t have to be boring. You can still have fun and make some memories with these 8 Free Activities.
Get the kids all ready for bed, and then surprise them with a night out looking at lights. So many neighborhoods put on amazing light shows, find out if there’s one near you. Pack snacks and hot chocolate and you and enjoy some Christmas music and decorations.
Movie nights are a great way to enjoy the season, and make some memories. Everyone can pick a favorite to put on the list. I love doing Grinch Movie Marathons, starting with the original of course! Get into the spirit by having themed foods like this (Grinch themed)!
I LOVE Christmas Eve Services. If you do not attend a church that has one every year, it shouldn’t be too hard to find one. The songs, the familiar stories, the candle light. It brings a calm to the storm that is usually Christmas day. As a kid, we would always get to open one present after the Christmas Eve Service!
Breakout the guitars and ukuleles-if you have them. Or play a song list on your phone. But get out and sing! It’s fun and nostalgic. Who knows, you might love it so much you end up joining a local community chorus group!
The holidays can be a hard time for a lot of people. Is there someone in your life that lives too far from family? Is elderly and can’t leave the house as easily. Step in and help! See if they want help decorating their house. Drive them around for their errands. Make them a meal, or share a meal. Trust me, you’ll get more than you give on this one.
I love snow. If you’re stuck in on a snow day, make a bunch of paper snowflakes to decorate the house with. If you’re really brave, bust out the glitter! If you live in a warmer climate and snow is scarce, this gives your home that wintery feel!
Get on your snow gear and head to the nearest hill! Spend the day sledding and see who can go the fastest, the furthest, and/or do the neatest trick. End the day with some hot chocolate at home!
I love making salt dough ornaments! You can keep them white and crisp looking, add handprints, paint them, dye the dough or glue on glitter. The ideas are endless! A variation that I think will smell AMAZING is this cinnamon ornament.
Christmas truly is the “most wonderful time of the year”! But it can be hard to get in the spirit when you’re stressing about money and how to pay for it all! Use as many of these tips and activities as you want. Start creating new memories and traditions this year!
]]>
It sounds fancy, but it just means that you need to decide what’s worth your time and energy, and what’s not. For instance, you might have dozens of items worth $5 each, but the time and energy you’d have to spend to sell them would far outweigh the benefits of gaining $5.
For some people, a minimum value threshold of $10 might be worth it. Others might set a threshold of $25 or even higher. Decide what’s worth it to you. (It might be helpful to estimate how much time you’ll be investing into listing, selling, and shipping or dropping off each item. You can then see what your “hourly wage” would be, and decide whether you’d work for that wage.)
Throw or give away anything that’s broken, stained, or too worn. Check out my Decluttering? How to Decide What Stays and What Goes blog post. Sort remaining items into categories (furniture, bed/bath, clothing, shoes, etc.). This will help determine the best place to sell your items.
Once you’ve gathered your items, determine where you want to sell your stuff! These are some marketplaces that I’ve found to be reliable when selling items.
ThredUp is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell gently used clothing and shoes. It’s best for cleaning out your closet when you want to get rid of a lot all at once. You simply pack up your used clothing and ship it off to thredUP. ThredUP sorts through your clothing and accepts some of the items to sell. (The rest are returned to you or recycled.) If your items sell, you receive a percentage of the selling price of the item.
ThredUP is super simple to use and you don’t have to do the work of listing and shipping individual items. However, it may take a few months to get a payout, and you’ll probably make less money selling on thredUP versus selling elsewhere.
Poshmark is a website and app where users buy and sell new and used clothing, shoes, bags, pieces for your home, and even makeup. You do have to have the app to list items, so a smartphone or tablet is required for this one.
It’s easy to list items on Poshmark by taking photos with your cell phone. If one of your listed items sells, Poshmark will send you a prepaid label to print and use to ship your item. Poshmark is also known for the social aspect of the app, including its online “Poshmark Parties.”
Listing on Poshmark is free. The app takes $2.95 for sold items under $15, and 20% of items over $15.
Mercari is a selling app for almost anything you can find in your home. Have old puzzles or board games lying around? You can sell them alongside jewelry, books, and more on Mercari. Simply snap photos with your smartphone and use Mercari’s easy process to list your items. The app suggests brands and categories to help your items get better visibility.
Like Poshmark, Mercari sends you a shipping label to print when your items sell. They even have a partnership with UPS so that you can ship items without a printer. Mercari makes the selling process easy for customers and sellers.
Mercari charges a minimum 10% fee on sold items.
If you find yourself with a lot of outdated technology, Decluttr might be the best platform for you to sell on. From game consoles to old phones, Decluttr makes it easy to sell and make money. To sell, you first get a free instant valuation on their site (or through their app). Next, you pack your box and attach a label then ship the box for free. Once your item is looked over at the warehouse, you will receive your payment for the item - or donate the money to a charity of your choice!
Facebook Marketplace is great for larger or fragile items you don’t want to ship, like furniture and electronics. To list on Facebook, simply visit the Marketplace tab in your personal account and upload photos of your item. Customers can search based on location to find items for local pickup.
You do have to have a Facebook account to sell on Marketplace, and there’s not a guarantee that someone who promises to purchase an item will follow through. Additionally, exercise caution when selling on Marketplace. If possible, meet in a public place to transfer items, instead of having customers pick up items at your home.
Marketplace doesn’t charge any fees for local-pickup items. You might have to haggle with your buyers, but you get to keep any money you earn from your items!
Once you’ve decided where to sell your items, it’s time to list them! Use these tips to make sure your listings shine in search results.
Take photos without distracting features in the background. Use an area with a lot of natural light, if possible. Be sure to show any stains, rips, or flaws in photos so there are no surprises for your customers. If the item is new or brand-name, include photos of the tags.
Items listed by their brand name are more likely to show up in search results. If you can find the item name from the original description, include that in your title as well. (For instance, “Brooks Revel 4 Running Shoes” is a more effective title than “Running Shoes.”)
Drab descriptions won’t sell your items. Instead, try to envision what a customer might be looking for in an item. Selling a dress you wore to a summer wedding? Try writing about the experience a potential customer could have in the same dress: “You’ll shine in this brightly colored dress that’s perfect for a summer wedding. Dance the night away with its A-line style, great for twirling around the dance floor!” Now, doesn’t that make you want to purchase more than the description “A-line dress” does?
Selling your stuff doesn’t have to be stressful and time-consuming. With these tips, you’ll be decluttering your home and making money off your stuff in no time.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Need a little extra motivation for this side hustle? Check out my 2021 Money Challenges Set - it has a side hustle income chart you can use to your advantage!
]]>
Thanks to technology we can usually see bad weather coming. But it’s not perfect, and sometimes storms go unnoticed, or underestimated. We don’t need to know exactly when and how severe a storm is going to be in order to be ready for it.
That’s true for your financial forecast as well. What was going to be a short spell turned into a week-long storm! This storm threatens to offset your budget plans for the foreseeable future! But it doesn’t have to derail your plans.
I think it’s safe to say that most of us have experienced a financial storm in the last 12 months or so. Maybe for you it was just a drizzle, but maybe it felt like hurricane-force winds ripping through your finances.
It could be an expected forecast: maternity leave or standard lulls in business. It could also be a flash flood: layoffs, family emergencies, or even a global pandemic! The financial storms can hit us hard and if we are unprepared, leave considerable damage. So how should you prepare for the storm?
Like an emergency fund, a rainy day fund prepares you for the unexpected. Your rainy day fund should be big enough to handle your financial needs for a minimum of three to six months. Here are two great trackers to get you on your way to a fully-funded Rainy Day Fund.
An emergency fund is for covering an unexpected expense. Your rainy day fund should be able to pay your monthly expenses. So how can you build up your rainy-day fund?
One line at a time! Whether you’re ready to sell everything in your house to beef up your savings, or cut back some spending areas, here are a few steps you can take to be prepared for the storms.
We’ve talked about financial apps that can help you with your budget. But they can also help you with your savings. Apps like Digit, YNAB and EveryDollar have specific features to help you save.
Need to put an umph in your savings? It might be time to consider downsizing certain areas of your life. Try living with only one tv for a while. Can you make your life work with only one car? Before you scream NO! Ask yourself- and your significant other- could you make it work, even for a short time? What if you could save for your rainy day fund in 6 months if you didn’t have an additional car? Once the rainy day fund is full, save up for that second vehicle!
Who doesn’t love a challenge? Let’s try a No Spend Month. The concept is simple. You only spend money on the necessities: rent/mortgage, monthly bills, gas and food. You don’t spend money on “treat yo’self items'' or unnecessary purchases. Obviously, you can modify your challenge to best fit your family. But try to push yourself out of the spending comfort zone. Make coffee at home. No restaurants for the whole month. This article had some great tips on how to make your No Spend Month a success.
So what are you waiting for? The storm to hit? By then it’s too late. If you feel like your savings could use a boost, slow down on debt payoff and start throwing money into your rainy day fund. Even doing it for one month could make a considerable difference in your rainy day fund.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to financial freedom. There may be setbacks, but keep moving forward. Keep your eye on your goals and you will get there, no matter what kind of weather.
]]>
Each month, you envision the day that your hard-earned money will go back into your pocket instead of straight to your loan provider. Fortunately, it is possible! You don’t have to keep your student loans around so long they seem like a pet. With dedication, determination, and the right tools, you can pay off your student loans fast.
Because so many of you are so dedicated to paying off your student loans, I created a special game-themed chart to help motivate you along your journey. (And, like all my debt payoff charts, it’s completely FREE!)
My first game-style chart, Debt Free Land, was so popular that I decided to make some more! I created game-style charts for your car loan, credit card, student loan, and starter emergency fund.
Grab one or more charts to get started! Did I mention they are FREE?
This chart is made for one student loan. There are 100 spaces on this chart, so simply divide your goal amount by 100 to determine the value of each space. For instance, if your loan is $5,000, each space is worth $50. So, if you make a $150 payment, you get to color in three spaces! I love the childhood game style of this chart.
If you have multiple student loans, or other debts to keep track of, check out these other free charts to help track your progress. One reviewer, Stephanie, writes, “My student loan payoff journey has been pretty long and it’s not over yet. So I love this [student loan] chart for helping me track my smaller payoff goal for an individual year! It gives me the ability to stay motivated in the short-term, while using the Debtris chart for the long-term balance goal!”
Have other debts? Keep this chart in a binder or on a bulletin board with your other charts to break up the bigger number into more manageable pieces. And, of course, to celebrate your wins along the way!
I like coloring my charts with fine-tip markers or Zebra Pen Midliners, but any old highlighters or markers from the junk drawer will work, too!
Reviewer Kristine D. writes, “This makes the loan payments so much more enjoyable! I feel like I am conquering territory with each payment!”
I love this chart! It helps keep my student loans on the forefront of mind and adds another layer of accountability for me. I have a competitive personality and enjoy the board-game-like setup with the goal of reaching the end! - Madeline K., reviewer
---------------------------------------------------------
Have you tried one of my free game-style charts? Let me know your experience in the comment section below!
]]>
Think about a place you can drive, too. Save on airfare by driving to your next family vacation.
By eating breakfast at your hotel for free, you will cut your eating out budget significantly. Enjoy the complimentary breakfast, with all its variety!
One thing I love about road trips is seeing people you haven’t seen in a while. Instead of spending money on a hotel, maybe spend a few days with an old college roommate. Remember to not overstay your welcome!
If your travel destination is flexible, go somewhere that is offering discounts. Use sites like Groupon to see your options. Groupon even has a page devoted to family fun vacations.
If you’re traveling with a large group, it can be cheaper to look for accommodations on Airbnb or VRBO. Using a house instead of a hotel gives you the option to cook more meals instead of eating out.
A big expense can be getting snacks at roadside gas stations. I’m not saying don’t snack, because that’s half the fun of road trips, but be smart about it. Buy your snacks and drinks ahead of time and save yourself the cash when filling up the tank.
Like the movie “The Holiday” you can sign up to exchange houses with other members. HomeExchange is the leading website, but there are many more out there. Try Love Home Swap. There is a membership fee to both of these sites, but that gives you peace of mind in booking. Think of it as a reservation fee.
Many of these places are free to visit. Ask locals where they like to go for fun. Do a little online research before you go. The National Geographic website has a great article on free landmarks, just know you have to sign up for their email list if you want to read it!
Have some fun before you even get to your final destination. Stop off at some roadside attractions along the way. From gum walls to Cadallics in the ground, you never know what you’re going to find.
Have fun creating the list of things you can’t miss. Museums, restaurants, or something as simple as a family picture somewhere special.
Like the bucket list, this one gives each family member one Must-Do on the trip. So maybe you don’t get to do everything you wanted to do, but everyone gets one thing that is most important to them.
Day one you went to this awesome theme park, day two could be a picnic in a local park. Have days where you plan to spend nothing, except for food. By balancing your days you won’t feel guilty spending a lot at the souvenir shop. You know the next day you’re going to stay poolside at the hotel and leave the wallet in the room!
Who knew there were so many fun options to take a trip but stay on budget? From how you travel, to what you do, you can have a fun time without the stress of messing up all your hard work! So what are you waiting for? Pack those bags and hit the road!
]]>
Picture it.
You’re sitting on your (fairly busted) couch in your basement apartment. You’ve been in the same spot since you were laid off two weeks ago. You thought you were going to retire from that job.
You just took your last dose of your last refill of antidepressant and it’s the end of the month. Your next appointment with your prescriber is 6 weeks after you lose your insurance. There is nothing available sooner.
The coffee table is piled with unopened mail - late notices. Loan offers. Scam “credit repair” offers. You don’t answer your phone anymore because every call is about a debt. Your voicemail is full.
One checking account is overdrawn and racking up fees, the other has enough for a tank of gas. Both your credit cards are maxed out. The little bit you had managed to save went to went to avoiding a charge-off on a card last month.
You barely have the energy to make lunch or take a shower.
And you only have two weeks left to clear out of your apartment and move back into the house you grew up in.
That was by far the lowest point of my life. I did manage to move in two weeks. It involved nearly 500 miles of driving between my apartment and my storage unit, lots of plastic bags, one very patient friend, and way too many tears.
I spent the first 4 or so months living in my parents’ house in a numbed out depression fog. I was searching for a job and helping out around the house, and continuing to ignore my financial situation because “unemployment just doesn’t pay enough to make a difference!”
I wanted to get my life back under control, but even when I started working again, I had no idea where to start. I was finally bringing in a real paycheck so I didn’t want to continue the austerity I had been living with while on unemployment.
Still, I knew my trajectory was not sustainable. If I wanted to move my life forward again, I needed something I could 1) understand and 2) stick to.
Then one of my former co-workers forwarded me an article from the Penny Hoarder Newsletter about a website called DebtFreeCharts.com and its creator, Heidi, who was helping to make saving and paying down debt a (dare I say) fun experience.
I downloaded my first two charts as I watched yet another collection call go to voicemail - the “Debt Invaders” doodle chart and the “Emergency Fund” word fill in chart, then I didn’t touch either of them for a month. I was THAT intimidated to get going.
I had false starts - 4 to be exact - but attempt #5 just clicked. I had finally landed a permanent job and was able to focus on forward progress rather than just treading water. I printed a clean copy of the Emergency Fund chart, filled in the numbers from 0 to $1000 in $20 increments in my best handwriting, and colored my first line in red.
It looked so small in comparison to the rest of the chart, but it was a start, and it was better than nothing.
Related:
How Visuals Help You Meet Money Goals Faster: Rebekah's Story
How I Finally Took Control of my Finances: Lagena's Story
How I Paid Off $24,000 in Debt: Rebecca's Story
I set up auto deposits of $20 on payday and tried really hard not to think about it. My red lines started to add up. I earned my first bit of interest on my savings. It was barely anything, but still - progress.
By the time I got to $100, I was starting to look for ways to color in lines faster.
I started splitting my paychecks from my test proctoring gigs between savings and bills. I colored those lines blue.
I celebrated my birthday. I split gift money between savings and bills. Those lines were green.
My perfectly clashing color scheme inched its way to the top and I was so proud of myself. Sure, I had managed to save for specific things in the past (a vacation, a piece of furniture, etc.), but this was the first time I had committed to and stuck with a plan to save just to have savings on hand.
And I was having fun! By the $600 mark, it had become a game to find an extra $20 in between auto deposits. I went back into my savings account statements and added dates for all my deposits onto my chart. I started thinking about what savings chart to download for my next goal - should I start with 3 months of salary, or go straight to 6 months?
Then, when I was $80 away from hitting my target, my car needed brakes. Front, rear, and emergency were completely worn down. I pulled nearly everything out of my savings account and cried over my almost complete chart when I got home.
I was devastated. I had been so close to hitting my goal and felt so utterly defeated.
But it dawned on me about a week later that I had just accomplished something pretty important. I had paid for a major repair on my own, without relying on a credit card and without borrowing money.
My emergency fund functioned exactly as it was supposed to - it handled an emergency and prevented more debt.
I’m a few months into my sixth Emergency Fund chart. My progress is a little slower thanks to the current situation, but it’s still progress.
And this time, my beautifully clashing color scheme will make it all the way to the top.
--------------------------------------------------
Related Charts:
Do you have a motivational personal finance story? I'd love to hear it in the comments!
While my knees healed, my ego didn’t. I can still remember how I felt, so thankful no one saw me fall! But why? No one with any sense would expect me to be amazing at a sport I had never tried before. Yet the idea of ever falling again, and someone seeing me, was more than I could handle.
When did you last try something new? Trying a new sport like Karate, or a dance class? Can you learn without first not knowing what you are doing? You can’t master something without first learning what NOT to do. In dance, you can’t learn the steps until you see what doesn’t work.
Success is a terrible teacher. If you are succeeding at everything you are doing, you are not growing. Failure is where we grow the most. If we know this, why is there still such a stigma about failing? We need to learn from our mistakes and not be afraid of doing it wrong.
Most of us think we’re afraid of failure. But I learned recently that it isn’t failure we are afraid of. Nope, not at all. What we are really afraid of is what we think failure means about us.
We think it means we don’t have what it takes. Or that maybe “they” were right about us. Or worse, we don’t really deserve it!
But all these thoughts are nonsense. The only thing failure means is: you tried something and it didn’t work. It has no merit on your worth as a person. The more we look at failure as a chance to learn and grow, the quicker we will grow - in all aspects of our life.
I think a common failure is the failure to not even begin. We are not sure we’ll succeed so we don’t even try.
Well, you can’t get to your final destination by putting the address into Google Maps. You have to start driving. It’s true, you could hit a detour, or take a wrong turn, but guess what, you can always recalculate. Your GPS can always find another route. You may not reach your destination at the time you thought, but you will get closer. You will get there.
I can admit I do this all the time. I need to read more about it before I can start. I need to make one more list before I begin. A little more planning, get a few more supplies. There is always going to be an excuse to start. And there is always going to be something you can learn, so jump in!
It’s important to be prepared, but it isn’t necessary to know every possible outcome before we begin. All the learning in the world won’t matter if you don’t put your plan into action.
What are you afraid to start? A new job? A new skill? A new you? Getting financially stable? Plot your course and start your engines! Don’t wait and find yourself at the “if only I had tried” destination.
Don’t be afraid to mess up because you learn faster if you’re willing to fail. The faster you get up the sooner you’ll figure out the right path you need to take.
While failure doesn’t feel great, it will teach you more than your successes. And what is success without failure? “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm”. While the person who first said this is lost to history- some credit Abraham Lincoln, others Winston Churchill- it still rings true for us. Success isn’t in not making mistakes, it’s in moving forward without giving up.
-----------------------------------------------------------
What else tends to stop us from trying new things? Drop me a note in the comment section below to share your thoughts.
]]>
And you are not a failure if you tap into your emergency savings!
An emergency fund is fluid. It rises and falls like the tides.
I’ve seen too many people in the debt-free community beat themselves up for “having to start over” or being “back at square one” after they used their emergency funds for, well, an emergency.
I’ve seen others treat it like a savings account they don’t want to touch, so they end up pulling out the credit card instead so they don’t have to “start over.”
If you use an emergency fund for its purpose, you will be refilling it, over and over. Please get over feeling like a failure when that happens. It’s not starting over. It’s part of the process.
Savings accounts, unlike retirement accounts, are not no-touch funds. Savings is for a specific purpose and is separate from an emergency fund. Lots of people don't have an emergency fund, so they have to pull from savings instead, and that messes with their goals.
If you don't have a purpose for your savings, meaning cash is not earmarked for something specific like travel or a newer car or Christmas, then you'll be pulling from it for whatever reason, and it just feels chaotic and disorganized.
Our family saves with purpose. We have several different savings accounts for different savings goals. We have our emergency fund in one account, and our savings toward specific goals in others. That way, we don’t spend our emergency cash.
If you have your emergency fund set aside for emergencies, you can spend that cash when you have an emergency without feeling guilty. Actually, you should think of it as a success! Your emergency fund is working as it should.
Think of it as a debt to yourself. It’s so much better to pay yourself back than a credit card. Your emergency fund is there to help you break your credit card habit. Use it for that.
So, practically, what does it look like to have a fluid emergency fund?
Our family started by setting our savings goal for our fund, then finding a place to stash the cash. At first, we saved up three months of bare-bones expenses. Bare-bones expenses just means the amount we spend per month on necessities alone.
Over time, our family eventually saved up a full year of expenses in our emergency fund. It was right for our family. But I encourage you to do what you can with the resources you’ve got.
Pick a target amount for your emergency fund, say $1,000. When you reach that amount, shift to your next savings goal, leaving the emergency fund to catch emergencies. When it does catch an emergency, stop saving toward your next goal until the emergency fund is filled back up to your target amount.
Slowly but surely, you’ll save up a hearty emergency fund. And, most importantly, you’ll have the cash on hand to cover emergencies when they arise!
Where should you keep your emergency fund?
If you're disciplined enough not to spend it, you can keep your emergency fund in your checking account as a buffer. If you don’t trust yourself with that, I recommend moving it to a savings account that won’t be pulled from automatically in the event that you overdraw your account.
We have our emergency fund in a Capital One 360 account where it earns a little interest (under 2%), but that’s more to keep it out of instant access than for the interest. It’s better to keep your emergency fund in a savings account than to try to gain interest on it. After all, an emergency fund isn’t an investment. It’s insurance. (For that reason, I do not recommend keeping emergency funds in a CD.)
Save with purpose. Set your emergency fund goal, determine where to keep it, and start saving. You’ve got this!
And when an emergency comes up, don’t panic! Just remember: your emergency fund is fluid. It rises and falls like the tides. And that’s its whole point.
]]>
With kids in the house, you know that if you don’t have some fun adventures planned, you’re going to have to hear “I’m bored” all summer long. Or maybe you realize you don’t want to spend your summer binge-watching shows that will wait for you! So now what? Where do you begin your summer fun? Here are 13 free ways to get out of your house and make some memories!
Beginner or advanced, you can find a trail that suits your abilities. Check with local social media groups, or a nature center in your area. Make it a challenge by seeing how many trails you can finish before the summer ends!
This is a whole community of its own. If you are unfamiliar with geocaching, you use GPS and other navigational techniques to track objects or geocaches. There are probably several near you that you don’t even know about! Discover new things about your community and connect with other geocaching fans. If you get into it, you can travel the world chasing geocaches!
Find where the best farmer’s markets or swap meets are in your area and check them out! Gone are the days of just boring fruits and vegetables stands. Farmers’ markets offer so much more! You’ll find entertainment, kid-friendly activities, artisan crafts, and ready-to-eat food! Oh, and fruits and vegetables! Support your local and small businesses and get the freshest foods possible.
Who said summer fun meant leaving your house? From horseshoes to bocce ball, the outdoor fun is endless. But how about 20 games in one?! Check out Swooc. Nothing says summer is here like pulling out a giant bucket of dice! Between Lawn Yatzee, Farkle, Pig, Beat That, Ship-Captain-Crew, the games are ever changing, and fun for all ages.
Having fun while doing good for others is probably one of the best ways to make memories this year. Look into local nonprofits to volunteer for various events. Build a house with a Habitat chapter in your area. Sign up for a community clean-up event. There’s sure to be lots of opportunities that will fit your summer plans!
Feel like roughing it? If you don’t have camping gear of your own, see if you can borrow it from your friends. Many campgrounds are free to local residents. Call your local parks and recreation office to see what is available. If you can't find a free place to spend the night, consider a backyard campout!
Food tastes better outside, am I right? From a simple lunch of chips and sandwiches, to a big BBQ cookoff, a picnic is a great way to enjoy the summer. Invite your neighbors over to a B.Y.O.M (bring your own meat) cookout. While everyone is over, pull out the lawn games and have a tournament! No fuss, just food and fun!
Whether you live by the ocean or a lake, pack up the car and head out for a water fun day. Bring a cooler of food and drinks so you aren’t spending money eating out. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
More and more places are offering monthly “movie in the park” nights for free or minimal costs. These movies are usually very family-friendly. Drive up in your car, or bring the lawn chairs and blankets. The best places to check are local community groups, HOA groups, and even some shopping centers host it in their parking lots.
This one is easy. Go out the front door and start walking! Walking is great exercise. Take the family dog and head out for a sunset walk. I’m sure you’ll run into a lot of neighbors doing the same thing. Walks are a great time to talk and catch up. Come home and end the night with some ice cream on the porch!
Great exercise AND a great way to be outside. You can bike around your neighborhood or find some trails dedicated to bike riders. Join a local bike club and go on the weekly or monthly adventures that they have planned.
Spending more time home this summer? Think about planting your own garden. Vegetable or flower, gardening is a relaxing, fulfilling hobby the whole family can be a part of. Plan a day to go to your local nursery, pick out your plants, and get that green thumb in the dirt!
Water balloons, slip-n-slides, water guns: let the battle begin. Even if you only have a hose sprinkler, getting in the backyard and getting wet is a great way to cool off this summer!
Summers and the outdoors are a perfect match, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend big bucks. Take the challenge and try to do one or all thirteen of these activities with your family or friends. Choose a different one each week and you will have one awesome summer!
----------------------------------------------------
What's your favorite frugal way to enjoy the outdoors during summer? Let me know in the comments below!
]]>
Frustration was the main feeling that would occupy my mind when I thought of my family's finances. I made it through college debt-free and only had a family loan to take care of before becoming debt-free but I was still so frustrated. This family member who loaned us money bought my husband and me a car when we got married. They told us we could pay it back at our own pace. “Pay back at our own pace? Awesome!” or so I thought...
“At our own pace” meant no plan and whatever was leftover after a month of non-budgeted spending was put toward that debt. The frustration started a couple of years later when we were still paying back this loan for the car.
We were expecting our second child and I had so many big dreams for our family! I envisioned being debt-free and saving for things I really wanted like our future home.
We already knew where we wanted to build but hey, building a house is not cheap! I had a vision of a house that was home, with everything we would ever need and nothing more. I could see our complete future family living there with the kids running around and playing in the backyard as I cooked dinner in my dream kitchen. This was one of my biggest dreams and this is where I decided that enough was enough. It was time to take control of my financial future.
Luckily, I have an amazing husband who was supportive and went along with me as I jumped into personal finance- budgeting, savings goals, car payoff goals, and yes, our eventual home goals. Our plan was coming together beautifully! Now we needed to find a way to track everything. Because I tend to nerd out over organization and planning, I set up an excel workbook to track our budget as well as debt payoff and savings goals.
For the debt portion, I had a countdown, payment tracker, estimated time of being finished, and a few different types of charts all on that one excel sheet. I also created a chart to put on the fridge and a paper link chain in our bedroom to help visualize the best getting smaller. (Did I mention I am a huge fan of visual reminders?!) Sure enough, we buckled down and paid off the remaining 20k in 8 months, and let me tell you… it was one of the most freeing feelings to be able to say that we were 100% debt-free.
Moving on to our next goal, an emergency savings fund, and a new(to us) car, I looked for other ways to visually track the progress (as my homemade chart wasn’t too great) and stumbled on Debt Free Charts from another financial account I follow on Instagram. I was amazed at the variety of charts that the site provided and the value of the cost - I had about 10 different charts in my account to try out by the time I checked out. After printing these beauties out, I placed the savings chart in front of the car chart on the fridge and we were off to the races, with a newfound desire to focus on our goals.
Currently, we are done with the emergency savings chart and have moved on to the car savings one. And guess what chart is underneath that one? Our house downpayment chart! These charts have given me a visual way to stay on track and keep up with our progressing financial goals and give me a brighter sense of what the future holds for our family.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably started and stopped your goals a million times. You might just be missing a tangible way to hold yourself accountable and find some joy in the journey. I challenge you to take the next step, whether that be deciding a fixed amount for your goals, or just writing them down so you can start developing a strategy to win financially.
I don’t know what your journey looks like, but I believe that you can achieve any goal you set your mind to if you have the right tools, a solid plan, and a growth mindset.
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
Do you have a motivational personal finance story? I'd love to hear it in the comments!
]]>
Lauren’s 31-day self-care challenge is easy to follow! Each day of the challenge is an opportunity for a new way to practice self-care. You’ll be trying yoga, watching your favorite movie, and so much more. Follow this one in order or jump around to activities based on how you feel each day.
Create this handy self-care habit tracker for your bullet journal! (A simple piece of graph paper will work, too!) Walk through the step-by-step process to create a beautiful tracker. Then you can fill it in with the habits you want to form, like drinking more water, exercising, or making your bed. Whatever you decide, you’ll be sure to be inspired by this tracker.
I love this adorable tracker! It’s perfect for people at any stage in their self-care journeys. Tessa’s lovable style is written all over the habits listed: “Spoke to another human” and “Did an adulting thing” are just a couple of examples. This tracker also comes in a variety of cute colors and patterns, so you can pick your favorite!
Not into DIY? Have no fear--Archer & Olive also offers free premade bullet journal trackers for self-care. These gorgeous pastel trackers help you thrive in five key areas of life: physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual. The designs on these are simply stunning, and functional too!
This pack of 18 printables includes a cute “100 self-care doodles” page. You can also track your exercise, healthy eating, hydration, gratitude, and so much more! Don't forget that self-care starts with taking care of yourself consistently, not only in times of burnout.
Self-care is so important for healthy living! Use one of these six printable trackers to help make self-care a priority in your life.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I know from experience that making a game out of the tasks and goals you have can add a super welcome element of fun to the job.
I’ve purchased several Ultimate Bundles in the past, and they are always chock-full of great stuff. Naturally, not everything in the bundles is a perfect fit for me, but there is so much in them that they have always delivered a ton of value for the price. So, I was thrilled to be included this year!
I went all out and designed a brand new 28 day game just for decluttering. That one page stirred up a lot of ideas and eventually became this 19-page Decluttering Printables pack that is sure to help you stay motivated to declutter.
These decluttering pages are different, they're totally customizable to whatever you want to accomplish. You don't have to follow someone else's plan, but there's enough structure to them to keep you going every day. Most other decluttering pages I've seen are a chore in and of themselves, especially if you struggle with being organized and tracking things.
There are 19 pages in this set:
It’s a little hard to choose favorites, as every page has something special about it, but I have a soft spot for these.
The 28 Day Declutter Challenge game has 28 spaces for you to color in or right in what you achieve each day for 28 days. It could be 28 days in a row, or 28 days in a month, or 28 days at any time at all, they don't even have to be sequential. Choose what you're tracking with the little checkboxes at the bottom or write in your own. Put it somewhere you'll see it every day and work towards winning the Declutter Challenge.
Why 28 days? Because it will fit inside any month and is a perfect four weeks.
You may notice that I'm not giving you a list of what to do each day for a challenge. That's because those lists never seem to apply to everyone. And in my experience, when you can't complete a challenge because that day doesn't apply to you, you lose your momentum. You simply just don't do anything that day.
The Clutter Free Land game has 100 spaces and three Milestone markers for you to fill in with whatever you like. The Milestones are perfect for little rewards along the way! Each space equals whatever you want it to be, it could be an amount of time, like 10 minutes, the number of things decluttered, or even the weight of all that stuff. You can use the banner at the top for your start and finish dates, your goal, your results, or whatever you like.
The Clutter Be Gone 100 Doodles pages are as simple as it gets, each doodle equals whatever you want it to; a bag or a box or time spent. With five versions, Clutter, Clothes, Kids Clothes, Papers, and Books (the books page has 20 stacks of 10 books)
Again with a banner at the top for you to write in your goal or your reward or anything you want to remember on this chart.
The Declutter 1000 Things tracker turns a big job into 1000 tiny bites. Color in the spaces as you get stuff out of your house, using a different color for each day, each week, or each month. Conveniently marked in sets of 25 for easier tracking.
You get the whole 19 page pack when you get the Ultimate Bundles 2021 Homemaking Bundle, which has so many great homemaking resources, all for just $37!! What!?! It’s like buying two or three products and getting 45 FREE!
The Homemaking Bundle is only available until May 24th, so don’t delay or you’ll miss it!
----------------------------------------------------------
]]>
The dreaded question, that seems to come up EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. “Mom, what’s for dinner?” Wait, what? Didn’t I just feed you?
I do not like to cook. I love gourmet meals as long as someone else is cooking them. I guess I don’t like the fuss of doing it fancy myself. I’m more of a get-it-done type. So anything I cook has to be simple. Over the years I’ve found my go-to meals that don’t need a lot of thought or prep. And that the family will all eat (except the mini pizzas for my Gluten Free 19 year old). These all happen on a regular basis around here. These are barely even recipes; they are so simple, but if you need a new simple meal check these out.
Just because it is simple doesn’t mean it isn’t hearty. Quick and easy doesn’t mean it isn’t made with love. These 5 Meals will be sure fire winners, and bring the family together for a great meal.
Big bang for your buck meals
Taco Tuesday exists for a reason, people LOVE tacos. All you need is one pound of ground beef for about every 4 people in your house. Brown it with chili powder, ketchup and our favorite: La Victoria Green Taco Sauce. Warm corn tortillas in a single layer on a non-stick skillet (or they’ll fall apart!) or use flour tortillas. Spoon in the meat and your choice of toppings: avocados, tomatoes, cheese, etc. Boost the flavor with some refried beans! Enjoy with salsa or Pico de Gallo.
A variation is the Hot Cha Cha (a name from my childhood). Same as the tacos, but instead of tortillas you pile the meat, beans and topping in a bowl and use tortilla chips to scoop and enjoy!
Fluffy baked potatoes with Chili is like comfort food. It’s so filling that even my 15 year old son is satisfied! We like Dennison’s original chili straight out of the can (not everything has to be homemade). Stretch it by adding leftover taco meat and an extra can of “chili beans”. Top with shredded cheese. Variation: instead of potatoes, serve chili over rice.
Mini pizzas - this is often lunch. A fun way to eat and be creative! Use Naan flatbread (could also use English muffins, French bread, or even pita bread). Grab your favorite jarred marinara, shredded cheese, toppings. Are top picks are pepperoni, olives, and marinated artichoke hearts. Assemble pizzas and place directly on the rack in the toaster oven (line floor with foil to catch drips). Toast on med-high for 5 minutes or until tops are just beginning to brown. Can be done in a big oven as well, but trickier to maneuver.
Soup is such a comfort food! Let it simmer and it fills the house with such a great smell, better than an air freshener!
Saute onions and celery until translucent, add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add in carrots and potatoes, simmer until tender. Add in chicken, broccoli, and Italian seasoning. Salt and pepper to taste. Once broccoli is tender, turn off the heat and serve. Maybe have some biscuits or cornbread to go with it! YUM! Did I mention this is also gluten-free?!
This is a classic easy meal that just about everyone has in their easy meals inventory. So you might find it odd to include, I mean, duh, right? But I learned a little trick from my MIL to give more depth of flavor to jarred marinara sauce. Ready for it? Add in some chili powder! Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Prepare pasta noodles according to package directions. We use Barilla Gluten Free Spaghetti noodles. For the sauce: brown one pound of ground beef, add one 24oz jar of marinara, add one teaspoon to one tablespoon chili powder. Start with one teaspoon, add more to taste and remember, the heat will kick in the longer it cooks! Add one tablespoon Italian seasoning, simmer on low until pasta is cooked and drained. Serve over cooked pasta noodles.
So as you can see, I don’t cook ‘fancy’, but having these simple meals in my go-to list makes time in the kitchen easier. Dinner doesn’t always have to be a four-course meal to be delicious. When dinner is quick and easy the whole night seems to go smoother!
---------------------------------------------------------
I’d love to hear what your go-to meals are, especially if they are simple! You never can have too many weapons in your arsenal!
]]>
While we didn’t automate saving our first emergency fund (the budget was too tight to automate savings), once we got out of debt this was perfect.
Some of the goals we have used automated savings for since 2011:
This isn’t really for those who are just beginning the journey of getting out of debt, or for whom the budget is crazy tight right now. But if you have some wiggle room in your budget, and have some savings goals you’d like to reach, this is for you!
Here’s how you can automate your savings and create huge growth over time.
You need to know what you want to save for, how much to save for that goal, when you want it saved by (like for vacations or upgrading the car), and then divide the total you want saved by the number of months you have to save it. If saving that much each month for the goal feels unrealistic, either allow more time, or scale back the goal amount to a more budget friendly amount.
Check out some of my favorite savings games from the Debt Free Charts shop!
There's a chart for pretty much EVERY goal!
Pictured: Savings Seeker Game
Savings Goal Game
Big Emergency Fund Game
I Saved My Starter Emergency Fund
Down Payment Savings Game
First, determine the amount you want to save each pay period. Are you paid weekly, biweekly, or monthly? How much per pay period is reasonable to save? Choose an amount that is sustainable. If you’ve never saved, start with just $10 per month and work your way up to a larger goal.
Next, determine where you want to save your money. If you’re saving for retirement, you’ll probably want to save in a 401(k) or IRA. For other money goals, like saving for an emergency fund, car, house, or tuition, find a savings account that works for you.
If you’re saving for multiple goals at once--like paying for tuition and buying a house--find a bank that allows you to track multiple goals. Ally Online Savings allows you to use up to 10 savings "buckets" within your account, and Capital One 360 Performance Savings allows you to open up to 25 savings accounts under one umbrella. Wondering what goals to work towards? Check out this article on the 5 Saving Funds Everyone Should Have.
You can also have one savings account and use a spreadsheet or paper tracker to track each of your savings goals.
Set up automatic transfers for the day after payday. That way, you’ll have saved money before you have the chance to spend it! You can set up automatic transfers on your pay schedule through your bank, which will transfer money from your checking account to other accounts.
If you’re saving for retirement through an employer-sponsored plan, it’s more than likely that your employer already has a way to automate your retirement contributions. Check with your human resources department to learn how to have retirement savings automatically deducted from your paycheck. As an added bonus, many employers offer matching contributions for retirement savings.
Automatic transfers are great for “setting and forgetting.” But, when your income increases, don’t forget to increase your automatic savings as well. Do you receive yearly raises? Set an annual reminder on your calendar around the typical time of your raise to increase your savings.
Saving money doesn’t have to be difficult. Take a look at how much you can save, which savings account is best for you, and how you can automate transfers between your bank accounts. And don’t forget to increase your savings as your income increases. You’ll be a saving pro in no time!
----------------------------------------------------------
I'd love to know your thoughts. Have you tried automating your savings? What kind of benefits have you noticed after making that change? Let me know in the comment section below!
Related:
Emergency Fund Tracker - FREE Printable
5 Savings Funds Everyone Should Have
Your Money Will Grow on THIS Tree!
]]>
In May 2018 I was a recent college graduate and newlywed just trying to survive my first year in the ‘real’ world and my first year of marriage. My husband and I lived with close family friends of his as we had one part-time income to sustain us. He worked incessant odd hours, trying to earn a full-time spot at his job while I embarked on the dreaded job hunt. I eventually landed as a part-time associate at a Christian bookstore. But I had lofty goals and not to mention an obscene amount of debt that, luckily was still in its grace period. At least for a few more months.
One not particularly unusual day, after rifling through the mail, I learned that I was a few months behind on a student loan that I had no recollection of taking out. It would only take us a little over $250 to get the balance caught up which isn’t much if you have it. We did not. There was no emergency fund, no extra. We were barely getting by as it was.
I stared at the letter in disbelief. I had taken out loans to cover whatever my financial aid and other scholarships could not. Pretty vanilla there. I never kept up with the balance, though. A good friend once told me not to check it until I graduated, or I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. The irony there is that if I would have meticulously kept track of my mounting debt, I could have formulated a plan.
Instead, I bullshitted my way through my exit interviews every semester and took out one or two loans that were completely unjustifiable. I pride myself in being a generally responsible and shrewd human, but this was anything but. I had been a fool, plain and simple and now my sunny future with my new husband was being eclipsed by an ugly four-letter word. Debt.
The next day, scared of what I might find but resolute in needing something concrete, I went through the painstaking process of tallying up all my debt. Hours of making accounts and aggressive keying on my calculator I had a number. Intimidating would be an understatement. My husband picked up a few overtime shifts and we were able to get the loan caught up, but we needed a plan.
Ironically, a lot of our best conversations happened sporadically on car rides. On our way to the beach, we were having a debate about credit card debt. I argued that no one could live without it and my husband was fervently opposed. “Have you ever heard of Dave Ramsey?” he asked me. I had not but after he uttered those words, a simple Google search later and I was obsessed. That one simple conversation changed everything for us. We made our first budget after that and with some tweaking here and there, after a few months we got into a flow.
After several heated discussions, we made the decision to commit to the debt free lifestyle. We bought the financial peace university book and started saving for our starter emergency fund. We both picked up extra shifts whenever we could to get our $1K.
Working and saving was great, but I soon began to see yet another hurdle. How would we keep track of our progress? Was that even a thing? So, like any young millennial would do, I turned to social media. That was when I stumbled upon the debt free community and everyone seemed to have these trendy charts that they were coloring in. I can have major fomo and I felt late to the party. My husband agreed that we indeed needed visuals for motivational purposes so one night after work, huddled around my laptop, we picked out a few charts.
Our first ever debt free chart was the ‘Starter Emergency Fund’ chart, and it was a game changer! I cannot begin to explain how satisfying it was for us when payday rolled around, and we could color in more lines. After two months we reached our goal and we’ve been snowballing ever since!
Now, almost 2.5 years in we are on our last (and largest) debt with a debt free goal of 2021. We are credit card free, car payment free and private student loan free! To anyone reading this, it is possible. It can happen! We now have two blossoming careers but still a lot to figure out. And if two broke kids with nothing but love and a dream can do it, then you can too!
One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned on this journey is simply, for lack of better words, getting after it. Setting aside the shame, guilt and excuses and just working hard. We celebrate the milestones. We come up for air, but we always have a goal in mind and are willing to make the sacrifices that it takes now to get to where we want to be later. The beans and rice are temporary but the work you put in now, you will reap the benefits from indefinitely.
----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
I find that helps me to always be reading and learning. If I only have one book to read, and I have some time to read but don’t really want to read that one, then I don’t read at all. Having several in my stack, with various bookmarks or dog-eared pages, means I pretty much always have at least one I’m interested in reading at the moment.
However, having so many going at one time makes it hard for me to track mentally how many I’ve read. It also means that the stack gets bigger over time as I pull out or buy new books, and eventually, I have to put them back on the shelves simply to clean up. Then I start a new stack!
Why keep track? Because for one, it’s fun, but mostly it’s so good for me to have a record of how recently I read a book, especially for business books that I want to re-read each year. If I haven’t tracked it, I might go several years before re-reading it when I wanted to have it on my yearly rotation.
I’ve seen book trackers in bullet journals and on Pinterest and ended up so inspired I decided to make my own version (because I wanted little succulents on the shelves :) ) And of course, in true Heidi fashion, once I get inspired I just can’t stop until I get all the ideas out. So what started as one reading tracker, became six! You can find these Book Goals trackers HERE!
First, I made the 50 books on the Bookshelf version. Oh my, it is so cute I can hardly stand it. I worked in several of the little potted succulents that I love. (Side note, those little potted succulents were the beginning of a whole new kind of goal tracker!).
Then on to the 100 books on a Bookshelf version. This one the books got a little too small to easily write in the book titles, so I also added a list style that you can pair with the bookshelf if you don't want to write that tiny to fit on the book. Or you could simply just use the 100 book with he is a bucket list the books you want to read, or as a running list of the books you actually have read.
I had someone request a tracker for 12 books because their goal was to read one new book a month. I couldn't imagine the bookshelf with only 12 books, so I decided to make that one a nice stack of books. I love this stack of books because the books have a little more detail. I'm using one of these for my business book list to read in 2021, and I wrote in the names of all the books I for sure want to read this year. Then I went ahead and because I love coloring I colored a portion of each book ahead of time. Then when I finish reading it, I'll color in the rest of the book - basically the space behind the book title.
So, you could use just one of these, or you could use some sort of a combination of all of them. I love the idea of a reading time counter. The 100 books on bookshelf could be a time tracker as well as an individual Book Tracker. Simply decide how much time each little book on the Shelf equals, and then color them in as you read that much time? An easy measure is 10 minutes per book on the Shelf, which went full would mean you have read 1000 minutes. This could be great for you and your kids to track how much time you spend reading.
Both the 100 Books on a Bookshelf, and the 50 Books on a Bookshelf, have companion book lists. I did design the Book Goals Lists to be paired with the Bookshelves, so you'd have more room on the list to write the book of titles if you don't want to try to cram in the book titles on the bookshelf books themselves. But you can really easily use the list as bucket list goals of books you want to read, and then use the bookshelves to color in the number of those books that you have read, you can also color them in on the list when you've read them.
We have so many books for homeschool that I could probably create a list of 50 books per topic. Even if we don't own the books, say there are library books, I can still add them to the list of topics we've been reading on.
It could be used for audio books too. Listen, audiobooks are not cheating! If you listen to an audio book you have effectively read that book (in fact, may people are auditory learners and get much more out of listening than reading with their own eyes).
I can't wait to see how you use these super cute book reading trackers! I had so much fun making them I hope that you have an equal amount of fun using them. You can find these in the shop HERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading the Bible more is something most of us feel like we should be doing. But, it's so hard to build a new habit or simply be consistent with your current Bible reading. I’m pretty sure I'm not the only one that wants to read my Bible more often, but I actually just forget. Life is busy, whether you're working outside the home, working inside the home, homeschooling, or schlepping your kids all over the county, it just seems like self-care things get put on the back burner way too often.
Reading the Bible regularly has so many benefits for us! Spending time in the Word gives us:
Plainly put, the more time we spend with God and His Word, the more joy we will have.
There are many ways to organize your quest to read through the Bible:
There are some great Bible reading plans HERE!
I mean honestly, it only takes 15 minutes a day to read the entire Bible in just a year!
I know we can both improve our Bible reading habit simply by tracking how much we are reading. It's a simple fact that tracking your goals so that you can see your progress inspires and motivates you to keep going.
I wanted a printable to help me keep track of my own Bible reading and nothing I found online hit the nail on the head for me. I found it rather confusing that so many of the other book trackers I saw the books were actually upside down! I'm sorry to say but too many were just rectangles with the book names just typed on, and those pages just weren't cute nor inspiring to me.
So I decided to see what I could come up with and I got so inspired and had such a fun time making this that I can't wait to share my Bible Reading Trackers with you!
One is a super cute bookshelf with all the books of the Bible as individual little books, plus some added little plants just for fun. The books are organized into the sections of the Bible, and I like coloring each section a different color (in rainbow order if I can).
The second page is a little bit more like my 100 Doodles pages in that it's the separate books of the Bible organized in more of a grid fashion.
This also comes in Protestant and Catholic versions of the Bible.
I admit I did not know that there were an additional seven books in the Catholic Bible! Someone on Instagram asked if the tracker I was making was the Protestant or Catholic Bible. I had to go look it up. “Why were they different?” I wondered. It turns out that when Martin Luther separated from the Catholic Church it was decided that they would go back to using the Hebrew Bible only. This isn’t the place for a history lesson, but I figured some of you would have the same question as to why they were different. It really is quite fascinating and I suggest you go Google it.
So to make it easiest, so you don't have to double-check the version you're getting, I decided to put both the Protestant and Catholic Books of the Bible Pages in this one set. So whichever one you want to use, it's here.
There are many ways you can use these pages:
I’m ready to read my Bible more this year than ever before, and I’m coloring my way through it. If you'd like to color your way through reading the Bible too, you can get this set here.
]]>
Motivation is inside us all. It's not something that you lose, it's something you always have. But you must learn how to tap into it. Finding what works for you might take some trial and error. But, it is well worth the effort. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When I decided to get a hold of my finances, I was amazed at how much it was like starting a new diet or workout routine. I had to unlearn the bad habits and replace them with good ones. But it's so easy to fall back into those comfortable routines. Some things worked, some things didn’t. The motivation journey has given me so many useful tools to keep me moving forward. I figured, if they were so helpful for me, they might help you as well.⠀
Whatever you’re needing motivation for, it's waiting for you. All you need to do is turn it on!
Some ways to tap into your motivation:
Whether you are organizing your finances, tracking a goal, or creating a new habit, there’s a chart for that. Simple to use, and quick to see your progress, these are great ways to turn your motivation up full blast! You don’t have to wonder where you are, a simple glance will show you your progress. Don’t forget how fun and satisfying they are to color! One of the best parts, there are a lot of free ones out there, like my debt payoff trackers below!
What makes a vision board so great? It’s personalized to the life you want. It’s a great way to hone in on your main goals. Seeing your goals keeps them in the front of your mind. Wake up everyday, and remind yourself that the hard work will pay off, just keep your eye on the prize! And these days, vision boards can even be created online using sites like Canva.com!
I used to think mantras were a bit out there. I mean, how could repeating something really make a difference? Then I realized, I do them all the time! A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound you repeat to help you concentrate, to regroup. I think back to the SNL sketch: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me”. It can be that simple. Something that you go to that helps you slow down, calm down, and refocus. I’ve used them with household cleaning “it’ll be worth it when I’m done”. I do it with my finances: “budgeting gives us the freedom to spend”. And of course, if you’re in the thick of it with kids- young or old- “this too shall pass”!
Take it back old school! Who had a star chart growing up? Every single one of my kids had a Potty Star Chart. Let’s face it, being rewarded, and acknowledged for a job well done, never gets old! So what is your reward for deep cleaning your house? Dinner at your favorite restaurant?- we wouldn’t want to mess up that kitchen! Managing your budget: you could save for a family fun day or vacation. Rewards don’t have to be extravagant, something that keeps you on track. Something that gives you a sense of accomplishment. This can be used alongside a chart or a vision board. Get the whole family involved on big projects!
Besides charts, this is my 2nd happy place! I love organizing and beautifying planners. When my calendar and to-do lists are neat, pretty, and organized I feel like I could rule the world! From stickers to dividers, to all-in-one planners, find what works for you. When everything has a place, it motivates me to tackle all the things. If it’s all over the place, I am too overwhelmed to begin! Remember, planners can also be digital.
In order for a business to be successful, it needs to have a clear vision statement. Businesses aren’t as successful if they cannot communicate their goals and objectives. How can we be successful if we don’t know our "why"? You can do something as simple as a sticky note on the bathroom mirror to a piece of art that you hang for the world to see. When you know your “why”, obstacles are easier to navigate!
While you can tap into your motivation at any given time, it doesn’t mean you have to do any of this alone. Reaching your goals is so much more fulfilling and fun if you do it with people. Be a part of a fitness community. Join a small business group if you’re trying to grow your business. Share with your friends and family the goals you’ve set. When the road gets tough, it’s easier to have people come alongside you.
What ignites your motivation: lists, people, statements? Try some or all of these tips and watch your motivation take off! We can do anything when we tap into our inner motivation.
----------------------------------------------------
I'd love to know your thoughts - what helps you tap into your motivation? Let me know in the comments section below!
]]>
It could be because you feel like you haven’t been making any progress toward your goals, so you’re ready to throw in the towel.
Or it could be because you’re experiencing Analysis Paralysis--that place where you aren't sure what to do next, and you don't want to make a mistake, so you keep looking for what you are missing in books, blogs, or courses, thinking that one missing ingredient will finally pop up and you'll have that big "Ah-Ha!" moment when everything becomes crystal clear.
How do you get out of that funk and move forward? I’ve learned a little on my own journey that I want to share with you.
Sometimes I get tired on my journey because I can’t see much visible progress toward my goals.
And sometimes I get stuck in Analysis Paralysis because I’m researching and reading so much that my brain is a jumble of methods and ideas and steps, and I can’t figure out which way to move.
I remember so many difficult points on our journey to debt freedom...
Some days I felt like I was right back at the beginning of the journey. It was discouraging to feel like I’d “backtracked” after I’d moved forward. But I've come to see my path as a series of twists and loops. Sometimes it can feel like I am further back than where I started, but I'm not. That's just where my path goes.
Your path is similar, twisting and looping. Some days you’ll feel like you're making great progress, and others you’ll feel like you're back to the beginning. But you aren't ever back to the beginning. That's just where your path goes.
When we started our journey over a decade ago, there was so much information out there that I felt like I was drinking from a fire hose. There was so much advice on how to clean up our financial mess that I would get caught up in finding the “right” way to do it--so much so that I felt paralyzed, like I couldn’t move.
Fear of making a mistake, and letting that fear stop you, will cause you to wake up a year from now finding that you are in exactly the same place. Don't let that fear stop you.
We’ll never completely get rid of our fears. But courage is action in the face of fear.
So, afraid of making a mistake? Move anyway. Even imperfect action is better than no action.
ACTION brings clarity, not analysis. You can't think your way to the right move. You've got to move.
You might be like I was, worried about making mistakes. Let me let you in on a little secret: You will make a mistake. You'll probably make a lot of them. But those mistakes are all opportunities to learn, course correct, and move forward. Without them, you won't go anywhere.
I love the saying in business, "Fail Fast, Fail Forward." It means that there are failures that must happen so that you can learn the lessons and get to the next level. You simply can't get there without those failures. In fact, you NEED the failures so that you can learn.
The failures and lessons in your past have brought you to today, to this point. And there are failures in your future you must go through, to learn from them, to get past them and on to the success you dream of.
There is one caveat: You've got to keep going.
The future you want is ahead on your path, but you have to keep moving, even when it feels like you are going in circles. It's forward on your path. The faster you learn from your mistakes, the smaller the loops on your path will be.
When you get stuck, afraid to make a wrong move, it's like you are in a roundabout, afraid to take the wrong road. You’ll get nowhere at all if you don't choose one and take what comes. It may be a mistake. You may fail. But you'll also have that opportunity to learn, and that's when you get out of the loop and move forward.
So take that step, even if it's wrong. If it turns out it was wrong, learn from the experience and keep going. That's how you get to the future you want.
You’ll never have a perfect journey. But it’s yours, and when you look back, you’ll see all the progress you were making along the way, even when it didn’t feel like you were moving forward.
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
What helps you move past Analysis Paralysis? Was it something I mentioned here, or a new idea? Let me know in the comments below!
]]>
Finding the perfect car for us left us with a considerable loan. Because let’s face it, it’s hard to save money when you need something right away! I knew the monthly payments would be manageable. Still, I wanted this loan out of my life as soon as possible! So of course, if I’m tracking my progress on a debt, you know I’m using a DebtFreeChart for that! In comes one of my favorite charts, I know I say that about a lot of them, but it’s always true!
I Paid off my Car Loan chart is a fun, colorful and free way to keep you motivated in paying off that car loan. Designed like a board game, play your way to one less monthly bill! Check it out here to download your own, free copy.
How it Works
This debt payoff chart has 100 squares. Divide your total loan by that and you have the value of each square. As you color it in, remember to focus on the principal being paid off, not just the amount you pay. Each month subtract your current balance with the previous balance and you’ll have the actual amount you’ve paid down.
Color that Debt Away!
I color my squares a different color every month. This motivates me to find ways to color in more squares from last month. Also, I can compare one year to the next. Can I fill in more spaces this summer compared to last summer? It also reminds me how far I’ve come, even when it feels like I’m barely moving. Get creative cutting costs to color in those squares!
If you’re like me, you have a lot of charts you’re working on: I’m currently using 4 other charts! I keep them in a binder dedicated to our finances, household maintenance, and meal planning. When I’m finished, I can display them, frame them, or just keep them to see all the hard work I’ve done!
The next chart I’m downloading after I pay off this car loan is a Car Savings chart. You can even specify which vehicle you are purchasing next: SUV, Truck, Van, or Car. I won’t be caught rushing for a car loan again, as the money will be waiting in the bank, ready to go!
You can find a Car Savings Chart HERE
So, if you’re looking for a way to stay on track for your car loan journey, download this free chart today. See how satisfying being responsible can be, as well as colorful. Using the I Paid off my Car Loan printable is a small step that will have a huge impact on future finances!
-----------------------------------------------
Here are my 9 steps to Turn your Goals into Games and make achieving your goals more fun and motivating!
When creating a goal be sure it's a specific goal, instead of a vague dream or wish. This first step is so important because without having a specific goal, how will you know when you’ve reached it? For example, you can have the goal of saving money. That’s great, but how much money? The more specific, the better.
Once you have a specific goal in mind, be sure it is something you can measure. You have to have something you are counting in some way so you can turn it into a game. Whether you are reaching a monetary number, or reaching a number of sales, a number of days, an amount of time, or a combination of these things. In order to turn your goal into a game it must be measurable.
The number of bites or steps or spaces for your game can be just about anything. I tend to like 100 bites for your number goals because it breaks down into percentages each space is 1% of the goal like in our #1 Debt Free Land chart. You could also choose to have a 30-day goal with 30 spaces like our 30 Day Challenge Game, or a 50 step game like our classic Christmas Savings chart, or any other number that makes sense to you.
This can be as simple as taking a piece of graph paper and dividing it up so it has an equal number of pieces. This could be drawing 30 circles on a page. It could be a bunch of shapes It could be little doodles for each step like a heart or a flower. This is where you can add some fun into your visual!
Don't want to draw or create your own game charts? We've got hundreds of them you can print off right now, from 25 spaces to 400! See them all HERE.
This helps break down the goal further. Have each space or bite represent a piece of the total. For 100 spaces each one is 1% of the total- easy, for 50 spaces each space is 2% of the total. Sometimes it's as simple as each space equals one day. A space could equal 8 oz of water each or could equal 8 glasses of water. You get to decide how to break up your total spaces based on you goal.
I like to put milestones at 25% 50% and 75% along the way toward reaching the total goal. This makes it easy to have small goals on the way to your large goal and you can focus in closer. You just have to make it to the 25% mark for now leave the rest for later. Filling up these milestones one at a time can help to make your whole goal seem a little less huge.
Filling in your charts as you make progress could look like:
Let each small step forward propel you forward!
The Milestones along the way give you something smaller to reach toward and something to celebrate each time you reach it. The more celebrations you build into your game, the more often you pat yourself on the back for the work you've done, the more often you acknowledge the progress you've made even though you haven't reached the entire goal yet, and the more motivated you will stay to actually finish it completely.
Some goals in themselves are the reward, like reaching a savings goal for a vacation you've always wanted to take. When you reach the goal you get to take the vacation because you saved the money. But other goals don't have a built-in reward, so figure out a reward that will keep you going to reach the goal. So if you have a reading goal of 100 books, yes there is reward in reading the 100 books, but if you know once you reach that goal you're going to buy yourself a new iPad, reaching the goal is even more enticing.
It can be scary to start new goals, especially if they seem out of reach. I hope that you try out these 9 steps to gaming your goals and enjoy the process, taking time to celebrate the small wins.
-----------------------------------------------
Try this process out for one of your goals and let me know how it went in the comment section below!
Self Care happens before you are worn out, before you've hit the wall, before you feel like locking yourself in the bathroom for an hour to escape little people climbing all over you.
Self-soothing has it's place. We need to take time to unwind after a hard day, to go for a walk to get away from the chatter, to hide in the closet with a cup of coffee. And right now with more kiddos home more often due to school not being full time, self-soothing will be more needed some days.
Self Care is eating nourishing food that makes you feel good.
Self Care is drinking your water.
Self Care is writing in your Gratitude Journal.
Self Care is a quiet time in prayer or meditation.
Self Care is taking that walk because you've set the time aside on purpose.
Self Care is preventative, not reactive.
In order to take better care of yourself, you need to disconnect every once in a while. Watching the television or scrolling social media can be a fun way to relax at the end of the day, but regularly trade this for something more self-care-focused like the following list.
According to a Healthline article, Vitamin D can help fight disease, reduce depression, and even help you to lose weight. The best way to make sure you are getting enough of this vital nutrient is to be out in the sunlight. Have you noticed how good it feels to be out on a warm Spring day? Try to keep getting that #vitamind in the winter by going outside if the weather allows and sit by your window often, soaking up those rays.
You’ve heard Benjamin Franklin’s rhyme “early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”. This still applies in the busy 21st century and is backed by science. Getting those z’s helps you to deal with negativity, enhances your chances of success, keeps you healthy, reduces stress, and makes you happier.
If you are looking at adding this to your self-care routine, here a few tips to help transition to an early riser:
With our busy lives, do we take time to pause? Most of the time, the answer is no. It’s amazing what can come from setting aside a few minutes here and there to be still. Journaling, meditation, and practicing positive affirmations are a few great places to start.
What do you want for your future? Who do you want to become? A great way to get this out of your head and onto a visual is to create a vision board. These aren’t meant to make you feel bad about where you are in life, but make you inspired for the future and its possibilities!
If you want to practice more self-care, include quotes and photos of your favorite methods of self-care. If you want to work on being more healthy as a means of self-care, include motivational quotes and photos like yoga, nature hikes, and anything else that inspires you.
There are a lot of ways to create a vision board but we’ll focus on the main three.
If you take time to regularly care for yourself, you can avoid burnout and find you don’t need to self-soothe as often. This will have an impact on your mental and physical health, as well as that of your spouse, friends, and children. In order to show up as the next version of yourself, self-soothe when you need to, but please don't forget self-care.
-----------------------------------------------
Have you tried any of these methods of self-care, or have any to add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
]]>
Work-from-home mom Cara and her husband are foster parents on the road to debt freedom. She’s real--sharing the news of her mother’s passing, specific money goals, and what she’s praying for--but always seems to have a smile on her face. Cara’s upbeat attitude as she chronicles her family’s debt payoff is sure to inspire you on your own journey.
This anonymous Instagram money account is run by a 30-year-old woman living in New York City, documenting her path to paying off six-figure student loan debt. A sky-high cost of living and large starting debt haven’t deterred her, though: she’s managed to pay off over $80,000 in just two years. If you’re anticipating a long debt payoff journey, look to @astudentloanstory for motivation along the way.
Alexa courageously relates the ups and downs that come not only with paying off debt, but with battling a chronic illness. She and her husband Sam are a single-income household, but work as a team to pay down debt, including a number of medical bills. Whether chronic illness is a part of your life as well, or you’re also on a debt free journey, Alexa’s account can inspire and encourage you.
Kristy hasn’t been twenty-three for a few years now, but her account name still reflects her original debt payoff goal. Now, she shares her journey to save, pay for graduate school, and pay down her mortgage. If you’re single with big money goals, Kristy’s down-to-earth account can motivate you on your journey.
Of course, we might be biased, but Heidi shares the incredible stories of ordinary people who are paying off debt and saving like crazy! Her page is full of colorful charts from people all over the world who are using them to track debt payoff, savings goals, and even health, fitness, and decluttering goals. And she’s relatable, sharing her own journey even when there are missteps and detours along the way.
Ellie and her husband Zay both run financial Instagram accounts--a dream team. Ellie’s account is a place not only for investing tips, but also for fitness inspiration. You’ll find healthy meals and daily workouts mixed with pictures of Ellie’s family and grocery budget. If you’re a mom trying to balance work, home, finances, and fitness, Ellie’s account is sure to inspire you.
Dana’s a wife and mom of two whose money mission is to change her family tree. Since chronicling her debt payoff, she has used her account to share inspiration and practical tips on family budgeting, faith and finance, and practicing money literacy with her kids. She’s inspirational, personable, and cheerful--everything you’d want in a motivating money account.
Don’t let the funny memes fool you: this Boston couple is serious about their money goals. Part of the FIRE movement to achieve financial independence and retire early, they’re relentlessly frugal as they strive toward their next objective. Whether your current goal is to increase your investments or simply to save for next month, this account will bring both laughter and knowledge into your life.
We all need a little encouragement as we head toward our money goals. Check out these nine accounts for daily inspiration to keep you on the path toward your next goal.
-----------------------------------------------
Is there anyone you'd add to this list? Who has inspired you on your financial journey? Let me know in the comment section below!
]]>
It’s no fun living paycheck to paycheck
Thinking about it makes me stressed out! When you’re waiting for that next paycheck to pay your bills, or buy your groceries, an emergency is not an option. Having a cushion helps you protect your hard-earned cash!
You can’t PLAN an emergency
But you can plan FOR it. You never know when an emergency is going to happen, but you can be sure that they will. Having an emergency fund is like having an umbrella. If it isn’t raining, no big deal. If it starts, you won’t get wet.
But isn’t that wasted money?
But shouldn’t I just put ALL extra money to paying my bills and debts? The short answer, no. If you have an emergency you aren’t prepared for, it will make a big mess. Maybe because you had to buy a new car tire you end up being late on your credit card bill. Now you have a late fee, and a higher minimum payment next month!
So now what?
So you’re on board, great. You may be asking how do I begin? Well, let me tell you how I did it. First, decide on an amount. I went with $1,000. It’s high enough to cover most unexpected expenses, small enough that- with some hard work- it shouldn’t take you long to save it. So let’s get tracking! And if I need to track something, you know I’m printing up a chart!
Simple, yet effective
This FREE Starter Emergency Fund chart comes in two different styles: original or outline (the outline version uses less ink). It helps you to know, at a glance, where you are on your journey.
Tips for success
How does the joke go? How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you save your starter emergency fund, one penny, one dollar at a time. Of course, it helps the chart is free, take that money and put it in your fund!
Make it a challenge. Set a goal for the money you’re NOT going to spend this week. What can you give up? Coffee, eating out, shopping? According to a recent study Americans can save almost $500 a year making coffee at home vs buying it. That’s half my fund right there and I didn’t even give anything up, I just changed how I got it! As you save, color in your lines!
Side jobs. I watched my friend’s kids and all the money she gave me went straight into the envelope for my emergency fund. Garage sales, if you don’t need it, or can live without it, put it up for sale! Now I didn’t sell much, because kids! But I do know people who sold EVERYTHING. They sold furniture. They went from two cars to one. They went crazy, but they also saved super fast, and were able to start paying off their debt that much faster. But this is your journey, what are you comfortable with? You can always start fast and slow down, or the opposite is true, too. You can always pick up speed! Just start moving!
When I started on my journey I was sure it would take me a year to just save $1,000, money was so tight. But it actually only took me about 2 ½ months. It was amazing how when I looked for extra money to put away, I found it. Not huge chunks, but it all adds up! Look at your budget, where can you pull some of your Starter Emergency Fund from? As you cut expenses you will be able to fill in your chart that much faster.
How to use the chart
The chart itself is easy to use: color in one line at a time. That’s it, each time you save, color in a line. There are 50 lines to color, so if you’re doing $1,000, then each line is worth $20. I like the outline style because there’s more to color. But the original style stands out more once you’re finished coloring it. Tape it up somewhere to keep you motivated, or put it in a special place to go to when you need encouragement.
As you plan your budget for the month, plan on saving for your emergency fund. You can color it every time you put money toward it, or maybe you want to wait for Friday! I couldn’t wait, if I added money to the envelope, I was coloring in a line. I love the flexibility of this chart to do what you need to do to stay motivated!
Your circumstances aren’t going to change until you do. You can’t just say “I need an Emergency Fund”, you actually have to plan for it. So get started! Get the chart, and get to saving. You can do it! And when that next emergency comes at you, you’ll find you can deal with it, and move on. No stress, no sleepless nights wondering where the money is coming from. Just open that umbrella and keep walking.
-----------------------------------------------
Please, download this FREE chart and let me know your experience below!
What better way to celebrate Spring on those less than spring-like days than with some simple coloring or paper crafts? Here are some great FREE resources for you so you can make it feel like Spring even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Making your home beautiful for Easter and spring doesn’t have to be expensive. Pick your favorite paper craft from this list and get your heart and home ready for the season!
Benjamin Franklin may not have been talking about your budget, but it still applies. If you spend more than you make, you’re not going to get ahead. Now we could pull out the bank statements, credit card bills, and the spreadsheets, but who has time for that? Let’s pull out our phones and find the best budgeting app for you!
Here are the top 5 Budgeting Apps out there!
YNAB helps you think ahead planning for expenses. It helps you set goals and priorities. Like EveryDollar (you’ll hear more later) YNAB believes in putting every dollar to work. Able to be on multiple devices means you can keep track of a budget with your partner. You have the option of a monthly subscription or annual, both are very affordable. With the subscription, you get: real-time help, online workshops, and video courses. This system works with a laptop, iPad, phone (Android or iPhone), Apple Watch, and Alexa. Check out the website to download the app today.
Now maybe you need a budgeting app that doesn’t cost you money, look no further than Mint. Mint offers budgeting tools, cash flow tracking, and even monitoring your credit score. Set bill reminders and create saving trackers. Brought to you by the same people who give you TurboTax, Mint also has in-app refinancing options. Mint is compatible with both iPhone and Android, check it out here.
The EveryDollar app is part of David Ramsey’s Ramsey+ program. There are multiple subscription options: 3 months, 6 months or 12-month subscriptions. This program includes online lessons, tracking your progress, and budgeting. This is where EveryDollar comes into play. Download the app, or use it on your computer, you track your monthly income and give it a job. Each month you take your total income and give each dollar a job. Whether it’s going to savings, or out to dinner, you’re on the right track when there’s no money left over.
GoodBudget uses the Cash Envelope Method. Each envelope is a specific expense: groceries, eating out, bills, etc. You put your designated amount of money in that envelope and once it’s gone, it’s gone, no more spending. But keeping track of envelopes is stressful, what if I lose them?! Here, all your envelopes are in the app. GoodBudget offers a free and plus plan depending on your needs. You can also share the budget with a partner, or various people. This is a nice feature if you have more than one person spending out of a specific budget. Works on iPhones, Androids, and laptops.
For Android or iPhone, this app puts everything in one place and helps you stay in control. Digit tracks your income and spending habits and lets you know when you have extra money to save. Digit will take that extra money and move it to a Digit Savings Account. Each month Digit transfers the amount you can afford. This app also helps you with investing and can match you with the right investment funds. For just $5 a month, this app is inexpensive and convenient.
Whether you’re a financial guru or a complete novice, there’s an app for you. With these great options, you’ll be well on your way to financial stability. An important thing to remember is to find the app that works for you. An unused app isn’t going to help you with that budget!
-----------------------------------------------
Have you tried any of these apps? What's your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
]]>We’ve rounded up some of our favorite money Instagram accounts to inspire and encourage you along the way.
If you’re looking for personal finance tips mixed in with silly selfies and praise for label-makers, Merilee’s @easy_budget IG is the page for you. She’s been a staple of the debt free community for years, but her content is always fresh and relevant. You’ll get practical tips for how to budget while hearing about her sweet family’s adventures in the South.
Jeremy over at @PersonalFinanceClub retired at age 36, and now he’s sharing his secrets to help you reach success, too. If you love brokerage accounts, dividends, and specialized investing advice, Jeremy’s page is the one for you.
Sami strives to help women with budgeting and money management with her Instagram content. She also has a podcast that you can listen to, to motivate you to do better with your money. Sami keeps it real in her content, letting her followers know her money triumphs and fails along her journey, showing that everyone has an individual story with money.
Sarah’s down-to-earth style comes from her roots as a broke journalist. She started out on a tiny salary, but still managed to pay off over $30,000 in under three years. She’s relentlessly frugal, even now that her net worth is growing and growing, and shares relatable, practical tips anyone can apply to their life.
Shang over at @savemycents shares her secrets to obtaining wealth. She believes that wealth is a mindset and shares how anyone can build wealth with a bit of a mindset shift. Her main goal is to educate her audience on retirement- financial habits you need to successfully save for retirement, differences between accounts, and how to save on taxes.
Dave Ramsey is known internationally for his pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps attitude and his Bible-based seven baby steps for paying off debt, saving money, and building wealth. He’s straightforward (“Just because something’s ‘on sale’ doesn’t mean you have to buy it”) and knowledgeable, often hopping on IG stories to answer a slew of money questions on everything from saving for a house to investing for retirement. But the best part of his page might be the many inspirational stories of people and families paying off tens of thousands of dollars in debt.
Melody’s bio says she’s “demystifying personal finance,” and that’s exactly what her page does. She shares practical tips on topics including how to stop impulse spending, set financial goals, and stick to your budget. She also shares a lot of inspiration along the way!
Rachel is a bestselling author and internationally known speaker--but she doesn’t let that keep her from sharing her best tips on how to save money. Moms and families might find her page especially helpful, as she loves to share things like her favorite affordable minivans and easy dinner recipes! You’ll also find stories of regular people paying off boatloads of debt using Rachel’s dad’s Dave Ramsey plan.
Jordan Page of @FunCheaporFree takes frugal living to a whole new level. Meal prep, beauty hacks, and receipt tracking are just a few of the ways Jordan encourages her followers to live below their means and work toward their wealth goals.
Brooke’s page at @MoneyLifeMentor is small but mighty! Young, energetic, and determined to help people live in financial fearlessness, Brooke shares ideas, inspiration, and investing tips for people of all ages and stages of life.
Allison’s inspiring page chronicles the budget slashing, frugal living, and side hustling her family did to pay off over $100,000 in debt. Now, she gives simple tips and practical plans for women to get out of debt and build wealth. Her page is pink-themed and full of inspirational quotes, so this one’s definitely for the girly girl--or anyone looking for encouragement along the way.
Her IG handle says it all: Single mom Dyana is rocking the finance world. She knows what it’s like to struggle, to make progress ever so slowly, and to sacrifice when it feels like you’re completely spent. But she’s here to let you know that it can be done. Her page is packed with step-by-step plans for specific circumstances you might face on your journey (“Steps to Take When Over Budget” and “How to Recover from a Financial Setback” are just a few examples). She also regularly collaborates with other members of the Black personal finance community to inspire and engage women in their financial lives.
If you’re out of debt and looking to save and invest, check out Chris Hogan’s IG page. A retirement expert, radio personality, and bestselling author, Chris is able to cut to the core of complicated investing strategies to help regular people invest for retirement and build wealth.
From broke single mom to finance expert with a net worth of over $1 million, Kumiko Love has been a steady, inspiring presence in the personal finance world. On her IG page, she shares budgeting and investing tips from her own experiences, as well as her progress toward personal goals for the year.
Whether you’re paying off debt, looking to retire early, or saving like crazy so that you can travel all over the world, there’s someone who’s walked in your shoes and is here to support you along your journey. With just a free Instagram account, you have the best tips from this diverse crew of budget gurus at your fingertips.
------------------------------------------------
Who would you add to this list? Let me know in the comment section below!
]]>
What do you want your future to look like? What is the goal you are after? Don’t be afraid to dream big. You can write down this dream, or not. But what you do need to write down is a tangible goal to work on that will get you closer to that dream.
Many people never dream of where they want to go or what they want to do, achieve, or become because they don't really believe they can reach it so why bother?
Belief is a choice.
I think too often we don't believe in our dreams because we don't know HOW to get there. The truth is you don't have to know how. You just need to believe that it is possible for you to LEARN how to get there.
What does reaching your goal look like? What will that make possible? How will you feel when you get there? Can you imagine the day that you reach that goal?
The more you can visualize the end result of a goal, and choose to believe that you can get to that result, the more inevitable reaching your goal becomes.
Understanding why you want a goal, the deep down why, can really help you stick with it long enough to get there.
Once you have a vision of the end result you're after, ask yourself why you want that. In fact ask yourself this at least five times in a row.
Why do I want that? Why is that important to me? Why does that matter? Why do I want that? Why is that important to me? Why does that matter?
This will help you get to the core of why you really want it. And most often this has to do with your core values and will bring up some emotion.
It could be that you never felt loved by a parent and you believe reaching this goal will allow you to show your kids that love that you never felt.
It could be that you want to make a parent proud of you and want to show them that you can do it.
It could be that reaching that goal will prove to yourself that you're worthy of something. Even though we logically know and have probably heard a thousand times that we are worthy just the way we are, there is something about proving that worth that many of us strive for.
This is what people mean when they say finding your why will motivate you to reach your goals.
The pain of not reaching that goal has to be stronger than the pain of staying where you are, or you won't move.
We simply won't move toward a goal if reaching it is more painful than staying where we are, or more accurately - the perceived pain of reaching it is more painful than where we are.
We have to believe that staying where we are is more painful than doing the work to get where we want to go.
When you understand the depth of your why, why it matters so much for you to get to the end goal, the perceived pain of reaching that pales in comparison to staying where you are.
We don't like to change. It takes work to change.
We usually think the work to change is harder than staying where we are, so we don't change. We don't do the work. It's easier to stay the same. But even though it's easier to stay the same, if it is more painful to stay the same than it is to change, that is when we begin the process of changing.
Breaking a goal down into doable steps or increments is key. This is why my charts can help so much, you can see just how much it will take to go one more step, and when you do, that encourages you to take another, and another.
When your goal is big, and you don't have incremental steps, it's like you can't even SEE what to do next. But broken down into small bits makes it so much easier to focus and make progress.
My dad is the king of focusing. I've asked him before how he can get such big projects done, and he says that he just looks at what he can do today.
He doesn't get lost in thinking about all the steps to come or all the work involved. He just looks at what the next step is, decides what he will do today, and then puts his head down and does it.
This impressive focus has allowed him to build an entire brick patio with curved raised planters (even though he had never laid a brick before), remodel an apartment to "show home" quality, and even come out of retirement at 75 to design a school building, a coffee shop, and a chapel for our church.
Focus on the next step in front of you instead of the whole staircase. Break down your goal into manageable milestones and tackle those, one by one.
You won’t discover what works until you start trying stuff.
My favorite strategy is to make a game out of the goal.
Like Mary Poppins said, “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”, which means when you add a little fun to the process it’s a lot easier to do. She also said, “a job begun is half done”, that means that at least half the battle to finishing something is simply starting the process, making your first move.
Don't get bogged down in which way is the “right way” to do something or the “best” way to do something, just get out there and do something. It doesn't matter what, it only matters that you start.
Failures and lessons have to happen in order to reach the desired result.
This is a hard one to accept. We don't want to fail, it doesn't feel good. But we can never reach a big goal without learning through experience how to get there.
We think and we plan and we agonize over the details before we ever try anything because we believe that if we just figure out the “right” plan we can reach the goal easier, and we won't fail and quit before we get there.
But failing is a necessary part of the process.
We only learn what not to do by getting things wrong at first.
There are simply some lessons you have to learn through failure in order to succeed. I know that sounds weird, but it's true when they say success is a terrible teacher.
If you succeed at everything you try you are living in the safe zone, and the safe zone will not get you to your dream life.
When something does work, when you do have success, repeat it. Do that thing again and again and again because you know it works.
I can't count the number of times I've had its success at something, and for some reason I wanted to try something else, so I did. Maybe I thought the new idea would be even better, but the new idea didn't work. So I tried another new idea or tweaked it, again and again, until I woke up, and remembered when I did have success, and I try that thing again, and voila!
It's funny that even when we get things right, we think “maybe it's beginner's luck”, and we feel like it was too easy, so we proceed to try to make it harder. Sometimes the simple things actually work the best. So don't discount your success just because it came easy. It won't always come easy, in fact it will rarely come easy, but when it does, repeat it over and over and over again.
This is especially important after you've had a failure. You've learned a lesson, the tactic didn't quite work out the way you hoped, and even though you may not know exactly why it didn't work, you can still make a tweak and try again. Every time you tweak your plan and try again you're one step closer to reaching your goal.
For some simple goals this entire process will be very fast and relatively easy. For bigger life goals, this can be a lifelong process to reach the vision that you have of your future.
Either way, this process works. Whether for big goals or for small ones. For simple goals or complex goals, use this process for all your goals.
When you have a setback and haven’t worked on your goals for months or even years, come back to this process.
We all have setbacks, even the people that are highly successful have setbacks or pauses in reaching their goals. The difference is they don't stop believing they can reach the goal. No matter what gets in their way they keep coming back to these principles and they keep trying until they get to their vision.
Don’t stop trying to reach your big, scary goals! Believe that they can be reached and work a plan to make them happen.
-------------------------------------------------------
I want to know, have any of these keys helped you take that next step toward your goals? Let me know in the comment section below!
]]>We have never paid our kids for housework, they contribute to the running of our home as a responsible member of the family. Don’t take that to mean that I think paying kids for chores is wrong, there are pros and cons to both. I’m just sharing what we have done.
That’s not to say they do a ton of chores though, and I am nowhere near as consistent with training them as I wish I were. I am retraining myself to be consistent with cleaning jobs, and as I get better at it, I’ll train my kids. You don’t have to start this method from age 2, more about that later.
Here is the method for training kids to work that I love best.
Little kids love to tag along and help, whether it’s pushing the vacuum or putting clothes in the washer, this is the time to have fun with your little helpers.
Praise their happy attitude, their willingness to help, and thank them for helping. I want my kids to learn that work is a good thing, not something to be avoided. That attitude is best fostered from the beginning. If you complain about work, they will learn to complain about it as well.
They aren’t so little anymore, and you can begin teaching them how to do a job from start to finish. Do not assign jobs to be independently done at this age or you’ll be forever reminding and nagging for them to get it done, or sending them back to do it over. Do their jobs WITH them.
Praise their efforts, allow that some jobs are hard and it doesn’t have to be done perfectly to be valuable.
I have fallen in love with this altered version of the old saying: Anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly at first.
There is a fine line between allowing for imperfection and allowing being lazy. You want to build in them their belief that they can do a good job and that doing a good job is satisfying. It’s not just about your praise, but that they can be proud of themselves for doing it.
The beginnings of independence at this age means that you can start transitioning to them doing jobs alongside you but independent of your hands. So maybe you are cleaning the shower while they clean the sink, or you are hand washing dishes and they are drying. They’ve done the job with you many, many times, now they start doing it totally on their own, but you are there in the room working on another job. This fosters their independence but you’re right there to answer questions and to be sure the job is actually done.
Allow them to come up with their own method of cleaning if they are so inclined, as long as the end result is satisfactory, does it matter if they do it “your way” or not?
Moving up to an Apprentice means you are (finally) assigning jobs to be done on their own. You’ve trained them for years, they know how to do the jobs, and they aren’t overwhelmed by them, and you don’t have to be right in the room with them for them to stay on task and get it done. They aren’t always completely independent in this Phase, though some could be.
As they get more skilled, you can add in new jobs, but do train them to do the jobs for a couple of weeks. They should grasp it faster at this age, so it won’t take years or lots of repetitive training anymore.
Please don’t just assign a job they’ve never done and only give a couple of directions. Take them through Phase 2 & 3 for that job by showing them how to do it, and then do that job WITH them until they get the hang of it.
Some kids will need the side by side jobs of Phase 3 a lot longer than others. Go with what is working for your family.
If all goes to plan you’ll have a very skillful worker now. But mix in those hormone swings and it can get a bit dicey. That’s why training them before this age is ideal so that once they are here, they know what to do and how to do it.
Training teens can totally be done, but be aware of your responses to their attitudes and eye rolls that are sure to come. Patience and kindness are key here.
So what if you have older kids or teens and they can’t do work independently? You can’t just start at Phase 3 or 4 and throw them in if they haven’t been trained.
If this is where you are, I suggest starting at the beginning and working through the phases in order. You won’t stay in each phase for years, and likely not even months, but going through the phases of them helping you, to you helping them, to working side by side, and then to independent jobs works a whole lot better than just ignoring and hoping that they’ll figure it out when they go off to college.
I don’t have to tell you that all kids are created differently. What works great for one won’t work for another.
Your firstborn will likely do better with this than those down the line, it’s just a thing for many firstborns to be more responsible. Kids with ADD or ADHD will need much longer of the side by side work so you can help them stay on task. Kids with anxiety might take longer to be able to do independent jobs because they have a fear of doing something wrong. Always tailor jobs to your individual children and their quirks and needs.
A Chore/Job/Responsibility chart can really help kids of all ages (and us moms too!) to stay on task and have even more satisfaction with a job well done.
I’ve got three versions of this chart for you, totally free. Just download, print out one per person, and post it up where you can all see what needs to be done.
I’ve left a little room at the bottom for you to add in a Reward if you wish to do that. I didn’t write “Reward” directly on it so your kids wouldn’t expect one if you don’t like that idea.
I’ve designed these charts so they will appeal to all ages and both boys and girls.
Have on hand an assortment of options for marking off their charts like stickers, smelly pens, gel pens, and glitter pens - they all add to the fun.
In an ideal world, we and our kids would follow the plan and everything would work out perfectly, exactly as we envisioned. But, well, we are all humans after all, and therefore not perfect, no matter how hard we try. So with this or any other plan you put into place for working on chores with your kids, please always give yourself, and your kids, grace. Grace daily. Your relationship with them is more important than a perfectly clean house.
Remember: Anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly at first.
-------------------------------------------------
Have you tried any of these systems with your kids or have a different system that works for you? Let me know in the comments!
You think back to the reasoning behind getting your credit card: to help build credit. To take advantage of a great deal. Whatever your reason, it doesn’t seem important now. Your credit card debt is dictating what you can do with YOUR money.
Well, if you are like so many others I know, you are finally ready to say ENOUGH is ENOUGH! So, now what?
Getting out of debt can be a daunting task when you first start out. That balance looms overhead and trying to pay it down seems as impossible as digging through a mountain using a spoon! But as the saying goes, a journey of a thousand steps begins with one.
Want to know a shortcut? The journey goes faster when you make those steps fun—and my favorite way to make it fun is this FREE Credit Card Payoff Tracker I Paid Off My Credit Card.
This chart shows your real-time progress and breaks it down in manageable squares. This, in turn, helps you celebrate the milestones you reach!
As with any new challenge, accountability is key to success when you’re paying off a credit card. With this chart, as you color in those squares, you can see your progress. Did you only color in a few this month? Can you do better next month?
Not only is it encouraging and empowering to see that balance fall, it’s also a great motivator. You can challenge yourself to pay off more and more. Think, Next month I can add another square!
Did I mention the chart is free? I mean, if we’re talking about getting out of debt, free is what we’re all searching for, right?!
This FREE Download is simple to use.
The first step is to know your total credit card debt for the card you’re tracking. You’ll use the principal balance for your chart. Divide your total balance by 100, the total amount of space on the chart. This gives you the value of each space. (You can also use this handy calculator to help you out!)
Finally, as you reduce the balance, color in the squares. Simply take the difference each month between the principal balance and color in the right number of squares!
Note: Be sure you track your BALANCE, not your payments. The chart doesn't show you how much you've paid toward the debt, but how much you've paid off, and how much is left to pay off.
I love using colored pencils or markers to color my charts now, but I started with just whatever highlighters I already had in the drawer.
If you are detail-oriented, you can even write the dates of payment in the space with a pen after you’ve colored them in. You could also write the total amount you paid that month along the side of the spaces.
The style of the chart allows you freedom to customize it to your preferences! Color each square a different color, or coordinate colors by month or payment. The options are endless! This is a simple, but effective way to motivate you to pay down that debt!
Keep your chart somewhere safe so you know where it is each month. You might prefer looking at it every day to keep you on track, so you could put it up on your wall. If you have a household binder, keep it there with your other financial information.
This chart definitely makes the journey of getting out of debt more fun—and prettier!
Get started on your debt free journey now with the I Paid off my Credit Card Chart!
Have you used this tracker? Let me know in the comments!
]]>