Are you one of those people who believes that you know where your money goes and that you don’t need to write it down in order to keep up with it? If so then I want to issue you a challenge to you. Keep track of every penny you spend for one month, and I do mean every penny, and you’ll be shocked at what you’ll see!
Those itty-bitty expenses can add up and will take its toll on you. And before you know it, you’ll be broke and won’t even realize what hit you. Don’t believe me? After your month is up take a look at what you’ve spent and then total just one category of something unnecessary such as your morning Starbucks or that daily $8.00 lunch meal. Multiply that number by 12 (for the months in a year) and then multiply the result by 5 to represent 5 years.
OK… if you want an example I’ll do the numbers for you. Let’s say you eat lunch out every day and that it runs you anywhere between $6.00 to 10.00 a day. This averages out to $8.00 a day. If you work Monday through Friday then on average you’d eat out at least 21 day out of the month, give or take. That comes out to $168.00 a month. When you multiply that times 12 months you get $2,016.00 a year. And over 5 years you would have spent $10,080.00! If you add up the interest you would have made, that’s enough to pay for a year of state tuition for a child!
This is only one thing you spend your money on. What happens if you also apply this to your daily coffee or that “occasional” drink? The numbers begin to add up! That’s the very reason why I stress the importance of having a budget.
It’s important to remember that the little things really do count. Cutting out what you spend on lunch, giving up that weekly manicure, or taking the bus or train instead of driving sometimes… do you see what I mean? It really IS the little things that count and all you need to do is make a few changes to get yourself on tract.
Answer these questions truthfully:
1. Does your spouse or partner complain that you spend too much money?
2. Are you surprised each month when your credit card bill arrives and you see how you’ve charged much more than you thought you had?
3. Do you have more shoes and clothes in your closet than you could ever possibly wear?
4. Do you buy a new gadget before it has time to collect dust on a retailer’s shelf?
5. Do you buy things you didn’t know you wanted until you saw them on display in a store?
If you answered “yes” to any two of the above questions, you are an impulse spender and you may need to indulge yourself in some retail therapy!
This also proves my point that chances are you are not on any type of a budget and your spending habits may be slowly bankrupting you. Of course this is not a good thing because it prevents you from saving for the important things you want in life such as a house, a new car, a vacation and especially your retirement.
Starting today you must set some financial goals, set up a budget and resist spending money on items that really don’t matter in the long run. Those goals need to be specific, both long and short term. And remember - there are no wrong answers here. If it’s important to you, then it’s important period.
If you want to be able to make a down payment on a house, start a college fund for your kids, buy a sports car, take a vacation to Aruba… anything… then that is your goal and your reason to get a handle on your financial situation now.
When your spending is out of control it will not only put a strain on your finances but your relationships as well. To overcome this problem the first thing to do is learn to separate your needs from your wants.
When you go shopping, make a list and take only enough cash to pay for what you have planned to buy. Leave your credit cards at home. If you see something you think you really need, decide if it will benefit you financially and if not then give yourself two weeks to decide if it is really something you do without.
Once you can manage to get control of the small expenses in your life that really don’t mean much, you’ll have a greater chance of creating the type of financial success in life that you want and deserve! Then you’ll quickly be on your way to having financial freedom.
Get your free budget worksheets here.
To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!
Pam Lawhorne
Pam Lawhorne is a serial entrepreneur, small business expert and creative marketing consultant, who provides advice, guidance, and encouragement to aspiring CEO's around the nation in her popular seminars and publications. She is the Chief Empowerment Officer of Empower U, Incorporated, a training and consulting firm that specializes in interactive workshops, seminars and coaching programs.
Ms. Lawhorne is the author of “From Minimum Wage To Getting Paid! - How To Become A Successful Entrepreneur With No Money, Education Or Experience!" and she is also a syndicated columnist who writes articles on empowerment, entrepreneurship, personal development, creative marketing and real estate investing. Her articles appear nationally in newspapers, magazines, and on numerous business websites and on-line publications. For additional information please visit her website: www.PamLawhorne.com.
The above article is copyright 2003-2008 by Pam Lawhorne. Permission to repost is freely granted so long as the text is not altered in any way, and the copyright and links are included.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
"What Really Makes You Tick?"
10 Questions You Should Ask Yourself: Your Guide To Self-Improvement
Be! All that you can be... but in this case it's not just in the Army. We're also talking about in life!
Are you like me, somewhat contented with your life and the way things are, but on the other hand you still aspire for something deeper and more meaningful. But your problem is real life has gotten in your way and "blocked" your focus?
Well we all have problems... that's part of life but honestly it shouldn't even bother or hinder us in becoming all that we can and ought to be.
When we were children we had great aspirations, and even thought we're now adults, those same feelings should continue to live within us. All we need to do is hold on to the dream...
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. What Do I Really Want?
This is the million dollar question! There may be so many things that you want to do with your life but so little time to even try to focus on achieving it during the day.
Start small and find something that you are good at. This can help realize that small step towards improvement work and will ultimately get you towards your final destination. Diligence is the key to know that what you want is worth it.
2. Should I Really Change?
In today's generation we've taken things to a whole different level when it comes to redefining 'self'. After raising one teenager, dealing with raising my 2nd teenager, and helping to raise a ton of nieces and nephews; I've learned that there are far worse things that they could have had or done then acne or told the occasional fib. Understand what I mean?
So how does that fit into your lifestyle? If history has taught us one thing, it's to reflect back on the life that we have already gone through.
Look at what you've been through then ask yourself if you're really that bad off or if change is still necessary. Sometimes we compare ourselves to others when in reality all we really need to do is compare ourselves to our former selves.
3. What's The Bright Side In All Of This?
With so much happening around us all the time we fail to remember that there's always light at the end of the tunnel. What I mean is that regardless of what is going on in our lives we should still be able to see the situation as something positive without worrying what others will think and undergoing scrutiny. The bottom line is life is what you make of it... bad or good.
4. Am I Comfortable With What I'm Doing?
This is a tough question but one that you seriously need to ask yourself. Are you complacent and if so do you wish for more? We all see ourselves as someone unique, yet we seldom act on it. Challenge yourself to do something new or exciting. Variety brings in very interesting and exciting questions to be experimented with and it could force you out of your comfort zone.
5. Have I Done Enough For Myself?
Well have you or is there more left to do? Discontentment in every aspect can be dangerous in large doses, but in small amounts you'll be able to see and do stuff you could never imagine doing.
6. Am I Happy At Where I Am Today?
It's an unfair question so let it be an answer! If you already love being a good and loving mom or dad to your kids, then take it up a notch! Your kids will love you forever. The same goes with everyday life and everything else you do! You just need to apply it!
7. Am I Appealing To The Opposite Sex?
So maybe I don't have an answer to this one, but that doesn't mean I can't take a stab at it. Whether you shape-up, change the way you wear your clothes or hair, or even your attitude towards people, you should always remember it will always be for your own benefit. Believe it or not, what will make you the most appealing in the end is your self-confidence.
8. How Much Could I Have?
I suppose in this case there is no such things on having things too much or too little, but it's more on how badly you really need it. I'd like to have lots of money, no denying that, but the question is that how much are you willing to work for it? This is a simple question of supply and demand. You want to supply yourself with a certain lifestyle so are you willing to meet your demands?
9. What Motivates Me?
What motivates you? It's an answer you have to find out for yourself. There are so many different things that motivates us and makes us happy so choosing just one may be the hard. So do you know what I think? Don't choose!
It's not like you can only have one serving of your favorite food in a buffet and that's it! Find several things that motivate you and keep you happy. Just try it piece by piece and see what works and fits.
10. What Really Makes You Tick?
So... What really makes you tick?
You can be just about anything you always wanted to be, but to realize that attaining something that may seem very difficult is already giving up before you even start that journey. Always remember, that self-improvement is not just about the physical or philosophical change you have to undergo, but it's something that you really want and therefore must constantly work on.
To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!
Pam Lawhorne
Pam Lawhorne is a serial entrepreneur, small business expert and creative marketing consultant, who provides advice, guidance, and encouragement to aspiring CEO's around the nation in her popular seminars and publications. She is the Chief Empowerment Officer of Empower U, Incorporated, a training and consulting firm that specializes in interactive workshops, seminars and coaching programs.
Ms. Lawhorne is the author of “From Minimum Wage To Getting Paid! - How To Become A Successful Entrepreneur With No Money, Education Or Experience!" and she is also a syndicated columnist who writes articles on empowerment, entrepreneurship, personal development, creative marketing and real estate investing. Her articles appear nationally in newspapers, magazines, and on numerous business websites and on-line publications. For additional information please visit her website: www.PamLawhorne.com.
The above article is copyright 2003-2008 by Pam Lawhorne. Permission to repost is freely granted so long as the text is not altered in any way, and the copyright and links are included.
Be! All that you can be... but in this case it's not just in the Army. We're also talking about in life!
Are you like me, somewhat contented with your life and the way things are, but on the other hand you still aspire for something deeper and more meaningful. But your problem is real life has gotten in your way and "blocked" your focus?
Well we all have problems... that's part of life but honestly it shouldn't even bother or hinder us in becoming all that we can and ought to be.
When we were children we had great aspirations, and even thought we're now adults, those same feelings should continue to live within us. All we need to do is hold on to the dream...
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. What Do I Really Want?
This is the million dollar question! There may be so many things that you want to do with your life but so little time to even try to focus on achieving it during the day.
Start small and find something that you are good at. This can help realize that small step towards improvement work and will ultimately get you towards your final destination. Diligence is the key to know that what you want is worth it.
2. Should I Really Change?
In today's generation we've taken things to a whole different level when it comes to redefining 'self'. After raising one teenager, dealing with raising my 2nd teenager, and helping to raise a ton of nieces and nephews; I've learned that there are far worse things that they could have had or done then acne or told the occasional fib. Understand what I mean?
So how does that fit into your lifestyle? If history has taught us one thing, it's to reflect back on the life that we have already gone through.
Look at what you've been through then ask yourself if you're really that bad off or if change is still necessary. Sometimes we compare ourselves to others when in reality all we really need to do is compare ourselves to our former selves.
3. What's The Bright Side In All Of This?
With so much happening around us all the time we fail to remember that there's always light at the end of the tunnel. What I mean is that regardless of what is going on in our lives we should still be able to see the situation as something positive without worrying what others will think and undergoing scrutiny. The bottom line is life is what you make of it... bad or good.
4. Am I Comfortable With What I'm Doing?
This is a tough question but one that you seriously need to ask yourself. Are you complacent and if so do you wish for more? We all see ourselves as someone unique, yet we seldom act on it. Challenge yourself to do something new or exciting. Variety brings in very interesting and exciting questions to be experimented with and it could force you out of your comfort zone.
5. Have I Done Enough For Myself?
Well have you or is there more left to do? Discontentment in every aspect can be dangerous in large doses, but in small amounts you'll be able to see and do stuff you could never imagine doing.
6. Am I Happy At Where I Am Today?
It's an unfair question so let it be an answer! If you already love being a good and loving mom or dad to your kids, then take it up a notch! Your kids will love you forever. The same goes with everyday life and everything else you do! You just need to apply it!
7. Am I Appealing To The Opposite Sex?
So maybe I don't have an answer to this one, but that doesn't mean I can't take a stab at it. Whether you shape-up, change the way you wear your clothes or hair, or even your attitude towards people, you should always remember it will always be for your own benefit. Believe it or not, what will make you the most appealing in the end is your self-confidence.
8. How Much Could I Have?
I suppose in this case there is no such things on having things too much or too little, but it's more on how badly you really need it. I'd like to have lots of money, no denying that, but the question is that how much are you willing to work for it? This is a simple question of supply and demand. You want to supply yourself with a certain lifestyle so are you willing to meet your demands?
9. What Motivates Me?
What motivates you? It's an answer you have to find out for yourself. There are so many different things that motivates us and makes us happy so choosing just one may be the hard. So do you know what I think? Don't choose!
It's not like you can only have one serving of your favorite food in a buffet and that's it! Find several things that motivate you and keep you happy. Just try it piece by piece and see what works and fits.
10. What Really Makes You Tick?
So... What really makes you tick?
You can be just about anything you always wanted to be, but to realize that attaining something that may seem very difficult is already giving up before you even start that journey. Always remember, that self-improvement is not just about the physical or philosophical change you have to undergo, but it's something that you really want and therefore must constantly work on.
To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!
Pam Lawhorne
Pam Lawhorne is a serial entrepreneur, small business expert and creative marketing consultant, who provides advice, guidance, and encouragement to aspiring CEO's around the nation in her popular seminars and publications. She is the Chief Empowerment Officer of Empower U, Incorporated, a training and consulting firm that specializes in interactive workshops, seminars and coaching programs.
Ms. Lawhorne is the author of “From Minimum Wage To Getting Paid! - How To Become A Successful Entrepreneur With No Money, Education Or Experience!" and she is also a syndicated columnist who writes articles on empowerment, entrepreneurship, personal development, creative marketing and real estate investing. Her articles appear nationally in newspapers, magazines, and on numerous business websites and on-line publications. For additional information please visit her website: www.PamLawhorne.com.
The above article is copyright 2003-2008 by Pam Lawhorne. Permission to repost is freely granted so long as the text is not altered in any way, and the copyright and links are included.
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