THAT INFAMOUS 'B' WORD: BUDGET

I did a blog a few months ago entitled: A BUDGET? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! about budgeting and the importance of it. Today, I will go into this subject even more because a lot of people make budgeting so hard. Budgeting requires sacrifice yet not the kind of sacrifices which cause you to starve yourself, dress in rags or walk 100 miles to work (an extreme, but you get the point). Budgeting helps you to not only see where your money is going but how to see whether this expense is necessary and needs to be deleted from the budget. 

According to Practical Money Skills.com, building an annual or monthly budget comprises of the following:

• Fixed expenses are expenses that stay the same from month to month, such as rent payments.
• Flexible expenses are expenses that change from month to month, such as how much you spend on utilities.
• Total expenses are the combined amount of your fixed and flexible expenses.
• Total monthly income is the income from your job or other resources including investment dividends, pensions, Social Security benefits, rental income and more.
• Disposable income is the money you have left over after you subtract your income taxes from your income

They emphasize to create your monthly budget using this basic Budget Worksheet. If you find you are not able to stick to your budget, it may mean you are spending beyond your means or that your budget is not flexible enough. Take the time to review and readjust your budget monthly until you find a plan that works for you.

You truly have to be serious and disciplined when you budget because you will not only be in control of your money and feel empowered. Budgeting does not have to be a serious subject, just a matter of focus, discipline and being focused on having a great money future. Until next time...

Stay Frugal and Proud,

Dot

More Articles and Sources:

PRACTICAL MONEY SKILLS

WHAT IS BUDGETING?

START BUDGETING

HOW TO SAVE EFFECTIVELY

(Courtesy of SexyMoneyNow)

You are at a quandry as to how will you ever save any form of money. Seriously you say to yourself, how in the world would anyone save in this economy and blah, blah, blah. STOP right there and get a grip! Despite any economy (i.e., The Depression, 1929) money was saved despite the goings on. You can do this even in this economy and many people are doing it. It takes commitment and discipline to do it. Cancel the excuses of not having enough or getting into discussions with naysayers because they are not on the path you want to be on. 

Start today and use the savings sheet above to be on your way to savings. Once you get into the habit of saving, those dollars will be a blessing to you. Let me know your start and keep me posted on how you are coming along. I am with you on this also. As always...

Stay Frugal and Proud
Dot

More Articles and Sources:

*SAVINGS GOALS

*SAVINGS GOALS FOR THE AGES

*SET A GOAL: WHAT TO SAVE FOR

MONEY IS GOOD

Courtesy of Lenny Credit

As you work your way to another level, lets remember something while we are bettering our money life: MONEY IS GOOD! Place note cards around your house with this statement, affirm it all day and when others say contrary, remind yourself that MONEY IS GOOD. This part of your money work is very important because as you continue to believe that money is good, you will attract experiences that will confirm your belief. 

I know that you have heard directly or indirectly that money is the root of all evil. This is one of the most misquoted words in the bible. It is the love of money above your God (Spirit, etc.) that is considered evil. No wonder a lot of people would do whatever it takes to get rid of the money; yet on the other hand once that money is gone, moaning and groaning about not having any starts. 

Each week, I want to help you to heal the inner that keeps money at bay from you by posting these messages. No matter how much money you receive, if your inner is not matching your outer, the money becomes elusive. So it is very important to take each post I write and be very serious with it because we have to make peace with our past money situations. 

You must surround yourself with those who can help you to become a better money steward. Those you have been filling your head with negativity involving money need to be let go in peace. These people can keep you from attracting the abundance and prosperity. Forgive yourself for your money beliefs and please do not beat yourself up for having them. If you knew better of course you will do better. 

Question each and every belief around money and turn them around with an answer. Those answers will help you to take control of changing your thinking, then change your life. Congratulate yourself on every positive action you take involving money such as building your savings account, sacrificing those weekend hangouts for putting your money away for a business venture. You get the jest. Get professional help if needed and this is not a negative thing because you want a better life. 

Remember, MONEY IS GOOD and until next time....

Be Frugal and Proud,

Dot

More Articles and Sources

*Financial Independence: Why Money Is Good

*Money is Good

*I Love Money, Money Is Good - Hypnotherapy - YouTube

INVEST WITH WHAT?

Courtesy of pinterest

We want to be able to live on our earnings for a long time. The longevity rate is higher (some folks are living in their 100's comfortably!). We want our monies to stretch beyond our retirement and live our best lives. How can this be done when even though we have savings, the rate is not very good. Lots of people can have numerous channels of residual income and some can dry up in an instant! There is concern about being healthy and staying that way. So what is one to do to make those dollars s-t-r-e-t-c-h? Invest!

Dot, I barely have a thousand dollars in the bank so how in the yell can I invest? Those people who invest had tons of money and I am still in the process of building my coins and paper. What I am suppose to do? Why not start with little and build?! I can hear the groans, doubts, questions and outright complaints. Seriously, if you click on the link below and read the information carefully, I assure you , you will get started and be on your way to building a nice portfolio for you!

STASH IT AWAY!

Courtesy of Jhunjhunwalas - WordPress.com

I learned about the stock market long ago when one had to have lots of money to invest. I retained that information and over the years I learned of companies that accepted small investments. I saved what I had and began to invest; of course it was small but how do you think an oak tree grew? From a small acorn! I now own some interest in Nike (I was a fan long ago, I was glad I could invest now!), as well as other companies and steady building!

So click on the link above, read, and even ask questions if you need to. Please do not delay in building your wealth as a frugal person (lots have, why not you?). Under no circumstances must those naysayers be a part of your decision making. I have learned that those who have done it and succeeded are the ones you seek advice from. Period.

Until next post always stay....

Frugal and Proud!

Dot

More Articles:

*How Anne Scheiber Made $22 Million From Her Apartment

*Jack MacDonald Secretly Built a $188 Million Fortune Investing in Stocks

*What We Can Learn From Secret Millionaires

THE ENVELOPES PLEASE!

Courtesy of moneycrashers.com

The money envelope system is one which monies are allocated in separate labeled envelopes. It is the second step after writing out a detailed budget. The third and last step is by allocating amounts to these envelopes, you can see and feel the money to be spent. Once the monies are spent for that budget period, you must wait until the next budget period to repeat the process. 

As you can see in the picture above, each envelope is labeled for what is to be spent on. I feel this is a very good system because you know that each expense is taken care of easily. In some cases, there have been people who have had monies left over which is a great thing! They immediately place that money into a jar for having money in the house or carry the amount over to the next budget. Even in some cases, spending money has an envelope as well so that the budget stays on track and no monies are taken away from it.

The envelope system is not for those who are not into details but for those who are serious about where every single dollar goes. If you use the envelope system, let me know how you are doing with it by commenting below. Until next time....

Stay Frugal and Proud,

Dot

Articles

Dave Ramsey.com

The Ultimate Guide to the Cash Envelope System

Budgeting with cash: How to make the envelope method work in 2018

SAVE THOSE COINS!

Saving coins has been done since the beginning of coins being used for currency. You can probably remember your parents saving their leftover change in a mayonnaise jar until it was full. They counted their change then deposited it in their savings account. This practice kept going throughout their retirement and beyond. Once their balance added up, it was amazing how much money was accumulated through those years. Today, this same practice is done by hundreds of thousands of people.

Many may discount that small change would not add up to much. With consistence and discipline, you can accumulate a lot of money to use to:

*Pay off debts

*Invest in the stock market

*Buy that item you feasted your eyes on

*Save to have money for emergencies

You can use a mayonnaise jar or water jug; here are examples below:

The one on the left is the basic water jug used in water coolers and the one on the right (courtesy of amazon.com) adds up the change as you place it in. A piggy bank is fine as well. Start with pennies first, then move to the silver. Please do not fuss about starting the process and find it beneath them because that change changes into paper (dollar$).

Please leave your comments and share. Until the next post....

Stay Frugal and Proud

Dot

More articles:

Don't laugh, the piggy bank strategy works-USA Today

An Introduction to Saving Money

5 Clever Ways to Trick Yourself Into Saving Money

GIVING

Courtesy of givewp.com

Giving is very important in our frugal journey. As you give, you will receive, sometimes in ways that can astound. By it being so simple, most people will find it difficult. They complain of not having anything to give or questioning its purpose. According to the website, Babble.com , "it feels good to give. Giving back should be an altruistic, selfless notion, but the truth is that giving back is good for both the giver and the recipient. Studies even prove that there are amazing benefits to giving, whether you are taking on a regular volunteer position, donating money, or simply doing a random act of kindness."

In the case of giving of your money, giving is a way of leaving generational wealth for your kids as well as foundations for those causes that mean the world to you. You can set it up in your budget for specific amounts to give weekly or monthly. 

Consider the act of giving as you grow your wealth through frugality. The above-mentioned benefits as well as a tax deduction can help and don't we all want to pay lower taxes?

For more on the benefits of giving, visit the website above. Be sure to comment below and share.

Always be Frugal and Proud,

Dot😚

Other links on giving:

Tendr

Donors Choose

Give Well

AS YOU CHANGE YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION, THIS HAPPENS!

You and your family make a decision to change your financial situation for the better. Not just subtle changes but serious changes such as doing family night at home instead of going out, deciding on using cash for the anniversary trip instead of credit cards (which you cut up and pay off), going to the grocer whose prices are much cheaper than the local store you used to go to. You also put off buying a new car because the old one runs good with minor maintenance and thrift stores have become your best friend. So as these positive changes happen and you become accepting and pleased with them, why does the peanut gallery of public opinion steps in?

You know those folks like "well-meaning friends", neighbors and yes relatives. They wonder if you have lost your mind because the person they knew would not dare penny pinch, subject their kids to thrift store clothes or miss nights out at the dinner hour. These meddlers offer charity such as money, food and advice...bad advice. You feel like using choice words but you are classier than that and tell them to stay in their lane (in other words butt out!). 

When one makes decisions to change their lives, they hit nerves in other people. Whether that decision be changing their diet for the better, changing jobs or even stepping up their financial game, the apple cart gets shook. This is because you are doing something beneficial and healthy for you and your loved ones and unfortunately, those others are not. You remind them of what they could be doing and refuse to do. Raw emotions such as criticism and blaming come lashing at you. Through it all, you stay firm and keep going because you have grown sick and tired of being sick and tired. You want financial solvency and peace of mind for a change.

Let those naysayers rant like a 2 year old not getting another cookie, trust me, they will get over it. In the meantime, you focus on your goals, do all you can to improve and get some new people in your life that understand your situation. You will be better off for it.

Stay Frugal and Proud,😍

Dot

THE JOURNEY TO SAVING...FINALLY!

Courtesy of familyfriendlysearch.com

Oh boy, beginning a discipline with saving money. I was never taught saving growing up because in one ear it was "can't afford it" and in the other ear, "I'm broke". This coming from my parents at the time and continued throughout my teens and adulthood. Unfortunately, I carried these beliefs even after having a child. Even if I attempted to save at the local bank, I felt at the time that I could not and used the money as fast as I saved it. 

After a series of "events" which included homelessness, I had to get a clue and I mean a serious clue. No matter how much one has good intentions, we must set forth actions that show that ones' intentions are good period. I began a journey of learning what was going on in my belief system to cause me to have episodes with money. I had to do a time machine of my life and found out that growing up and listening to well-meaning people like family and others was something I had to heal. It took discipline and time yet I was ready to do it. 

As years went by, I got a clue about money yet as the layers peeled back, the dominant thought was FEAR! It was the thing that held me frozen. As I changed my beliefs, things began to change but I had one foot on the brake and on the gas. FEAR was the culprit. I then began to dig deeper and questioned those fears and am now healing them.

This morning, I looked into my savings account, yes a savings account and found money in it. I felt relief instead of fear and look forward to more. All it took was changes within and go beyond my fears, doubts and worries. On my journey of frugality, healing helps a hell of a lot because you can be frugal as well as abundant.

Please share your thoughts in the comments and always be frugal and proud!

Dot

A BUDGET? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

Lots of us know people who make more money than we do yet when it comes to taking care of the necessities of life, they seem to run short. We see celebrities and other personalities in the media who have made lots of money, then in a few years file for bankruptcy while crying broke. This baffles us and we wonder how in the hell did they get themselves in that hole. What those two scenarios have in common is this: they did not have a money plan or budget as it is generally called. 

I can hear those moans and groans about the 'b' word but it is very important to have one. By having a detailed budget whether done weekly or monthly, you can see where every dime of your money is going. This should be very empowering because you know what is spent on what and the priorities you have when spending.

A budget does not restrict you to not spend but helps keep your bills and other expenses on track. You can not continue to spend and spend with reckless abandon then expect to know how much you make. Before you know it, all of your money is gone and you scratch your head wondering where it went. 

I personally did not grow up with this money mindset and had to learn it on my own, the hard way. No bankruptcies just downright broke. Once I changed my mindset I set out to change my life in the money area.

There are lots of books about budgeting; google budgeting to get started. You won't regret your decision and as always...

Be Frugal and Proud,

Dot

FRUGAL LIVING BABY STEPS

Courtesy of premeditatedleftovers.com

As you begin your frugal journey, it may seem confusing to some of you how to begin. I will share some tips on how to use baby steps in building your frugal life:

1.) Acknowledge that your former life of debt living did not work for you and you want another life. By doing this, you are not beating yourself up but realizing that you want to change.

2.) Budget! It is so important to know where your dollars go. Never mind if a budget seems binding but did you know where your money went before? Get started!

3.) Gather all of your debt, and I mean ALL of it; from the smallest to the largest. Put the information in a big spiral notebook (the ones with dividers in them for envelopes and receipts) by columns: Date-Transaction-Account Number-Balance-Notes. Start working on paying your debts.

4.)  Get a big water jug (the ones that you see at water coolers at businesses; you can also get a small one at the local store: Walmart, Kroger, etc). Start saving your change in it (whether it is pennies or silver) just do it! Every time change is accumulated, put it in the jug and watch it grow!

5.) Shopping for food does not have to be hard. Make a shopping list and stick to it. You can even earn cash back on brands you love without sacrificing taste.  Checkout 51 can help! Clip coupons from your favorite stores and use them! Plan your meals for each week so it will keep your spending on track.

6.) PURGE! This means clothes, household items and those things you no longer use or want. Take those things and have a yard sale or sell on Craigslist or Ebay. Use the proceeds towards your debt and saving. 

7.) Make a list of 'my whys' for wanting financial freedom. It could be to have generational wealthy or to travel without limits. The list is for you and must resonate within you. Post it where you can see it daily.

8.) Affirmations are a good way to be on track. They must be present tense and spoken three times a day. Here are some I use:

"I am now financially free. I now live in abundance."

"I am open to receive wealth in many ways."

"My income is constantly increasing. I prosper wherever I turn.'

9.) Forgive yourself for the debts and unwise spending, it is the past and it is up to you to heal it. Use these steps daily, not sometimes and know that you will succeed. Never mind what your 'friends' say, are they out of debt? Only speak with those who are winning because you are done with losing.

For more information, go to Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps.

Be frugal and proud!

Dot

FRUGAL TIPS FOR TODAY

Courtesy of thefrugalcanadian.com

Here are four frugal living tips courtesy of The Wallet Moth that you can use in your journey of frugality:

1. Use Up Your Leftovers

Christmas is undoubtedly one time of year where leftovers are aplenty, and many of us can be guilty of throwing some of those goods away rather than using them all up in time.

If you find yourself throwing away a lot of uneaten food, make using up your leftovers a habit to start this year. A few great ways to ensure you always have the correct amounts of food to eat each week include:

• Plan out your food shops
• Buy a durable set of tuppaware to store your leftovers safely
• Portion out extras and store them in your fridge
• Make use of your freezer! If you have leftovers that won’t be eaten in time, package and label them and keep in the freezer for another week instead of throwing out.

2. Take Packed Lunches (and Breakfasts…and Dinners!)

Spending $5 a day on a tasty lunch might not feel like a big expense, but if you do that 5 times a day every week, you’re looking at spending upwards of $1,200 a year on food that could easily be made at home for far less money.

Cooking your own meals is not only cheaper, it can also be much healthier as you know exactly what is going into your meals.

Check out my post on 10 meal-prep meals perfect for packed lunches for some inspiration!

3. Avoid All Late Fees

Late fees are a totally avoidable expense, and that’s why this habit is so essential to start this year.

Set a reminder a few days before your bills are due to be paid, and make sure that you have budgeted enough to be able to pay these bills when they’re due.

A late fee of a few pounds each month might not seem like too much, but again, those fees really rack up if you take a look at the bigger picture over a year.

4.  A Tidy Home

A tidy home means a tidy mind, so staying on top of your cleaning around the home is a great way to keep the calm, minimal atmosphere you want to create for a more frugal lifestyle. 

You may be a natural neat freak, or you may be like me and need a little reminder each day to fold your clothes and not slam them into your wardrobe (heh, it’s not just me – right?!). Either way, I’ve really found that keeping my environment clean and tidy goes a long way to cleaning up the rest of my act – including my spending.

Simple things like keeping on top of the washing up, giving your room a tidy each day, and keeping floors and surfaces free of dust are all easy habits to build.

Got other tips? Please leave your comments below. Be frugal and proud!

Dot

YES I AM FRUGAL, SO WHAT?!

Courtesy of daveramsey.com

There will be those "well meaning" folks that will tell you that you can not take money with you when you pass away. There will be those who will call you cheap, tight-assed or stingy (frugal people are not these things) because you are not spending thousands of dollars on trips that they put on their credit cards (you would rather save for it). Those brunch dates with that circle you used to hang with has gotten smaller (you are not longer joining them, you'd rather cook that brunch at home). Or what about going to the outlet mall near you and rack up because you chose to pay 50 to 75% off (because you choose to not pay retail). This is the life of a frugal person and they do not care what you think....period.

When you are on the path of being frugal after being so broke that a penny seems like a million dollars you change your mindset quick. Those old demons of spending may come up but you tell it "get behind me assholes" (oops...sorry). You have grown tired of the layoffs and not having that cushion to help you through as you file unemployment. You had to learn the hard way because you grew up without the tools to help you become financially solvent. You pretty much had to learn to ride the bike and fall until you got it. 

Making changes in your mind to be a better money manager can be a challenge but sticking to it will cause it to work. This is part of my story and in many posts, I will share more because it was time to become transparent. Thanks for reading. Be frugal and proud!

Dot

WELCOME TO FRUGAL AND PROUD!

I am so glad that you are here! This idea came to me as I was resting...yeah relaxing (entrepreneurs do rest 😊). I wanted to share my thoughts and actions on being a frugalista (frugalistos for guys) and learn from others in the process.

Please share with your fellow folks on the path to long term frugality and even those who want to go on the path and need help.

Posting will be once a week and more, so please utilize these ideas and please share in the comments. In the meantime, please read the former posts that can help you with money.

Be frugal and proud!

Dot

BROKE? FIX IT YOURSELF:BE WEALTHY

By: Carina MacInnes

If you're reading this right now you probably have been broke, are broke, or know someone who is struggling with being broke.  The pain and suffering of being in this state is truly awful.  Being broke causes thoughts of despair, feelings of failure, desperation, struggle, lack and need.  Being broke prevents us from reaching our potential, from living our lives freely.  Being broke prevents us from being wealthy.

How is this possible?  Like attracts like.  Being broke attracts more experiences of being broke.  It is a vicious cycle, once that can very easily be transformed once we understand the fundamental laws of how our mind and spirit interact with the universe.

It is your underlying state of BEING, in this case, being broke, that creates the resultant thoughts and feelings in your mind.  As a package, this whole message is broadcast to the universe, which in return gives you more of the same:  experiences of being broke.

One of the laws of manifestation is that we must BE before we can DO, and DO before we can HAVE.  Of course modern society has twisted this all around.  Being broke is a powerful message we are sending to the universe and ourselves.  We are in a state of BEING, and it is broke.  This will inform our actions to act in ways to continue to be broke, and we will continue to have this condition of being broke in our lives.

Your life experience is an outer reflection of your inner reality.  All the thoughts and feelings you hold, consciously and unconsciously, are what create the experience that is your life.  Your past created your present, and your present is creating your future.

It can be hard to understand that we are responsible for what we experience.  I remember being unhappy, and then experiencing events that I perceived as causing me to be unhappy.  Then I would say to myself, I am unhappy because of this...  no wonder I am unhappy.  I was trapped in my own vicious cycle and had no idea it was me who was responsible for my experiences of unhappiness. 

To break the cycle I first needed to know what was broken in order to fix it.  It was the message I was sending out.  I found there was a very simple way to fix it.

If I notice one day that I am unhappy, and understand that BEING unhappy is the cause of my continuing experience of unhappiness, it is that day that I can choose to change.  All I need to do to break the cycle is:  choose to be happy.  It doesn't take anything from outside myself to be happy.  All I have to do is gain awareness, pause, and pull up from within myself the state of being happy, replacing the unhappiness.  We all have this capacity.

Choosing is an exercise of free will.  You can choose BE happy, healthy, wealthy, whatever you desire.  Take a moment and just BE happy.  It is possible for anyone to do and a very powerful exercise once you have done it and understood it.  If you are being happy, you will do things that make you happy, and you will attract happy experiences into your life.  Being happy is the first step towards living a happy life.  It seems almost like a riddle, but understanding it unravels the secrets of life.

If you find yourself broke, look within.  You'll find you feel broke, and are in a powerful state of BEING.  The awareness of this gives you the choice.  You can choose your state of being.  Imagine what it is like to feel wealthy.  Take that feeling and hold it, you are now BEING wealthy.  This is how to break the vicious cycle of being broke.  By BEING wealthy, you are now transforming the signals you are broadcasting.  You are emanating wealth and the laws of cause and effect have no choice but to bring to you what you already are.  Now your actions will begin to bring to you the wealth you feel inside.

By being conscious of your states of being, you can choose to change them.  The positive results will return to you without fail, following the natural laws of the universe.

Author Bio
Carina MacInnes is an author and entrepreneur who is giving away a free e-course with  wealth secrets by her favorite mentor. Receive it now: milliondollarsecret@robotreply.com She offers a powerful way to increase both health and wealth in your life.  See her site here: imagineacai.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

BEING SMARTER FINANCIALLY IN 2018

Lots of people have made creating smarter financial goals as a priority to work on for 2018. Trouble is, for those who have been taking the bull by the horns regarding spending, fear seems to grip them. Where does one begin when it comes to being financially smarter this year, so that it can carry for years to come? I did some research because I am working on this goal myself and what better way to share my tips with you to get you started:

1.) Write your financial picture down- this means your earnings, assets and debt (every person or company you owe, leave no stone unturned). Afterwards, read over what is before you because you can not take action unless you know where you stand. The information  may make some of you cringe, get mad or just sigh. Let this go because you were brave enough to face it and to do something about it.

2.) Set up a budget plan-  that word budget scares a lot of folks because the first thought that may come up is deprivation. If you budget wisely and with a great attitude, you can feel really good about it and come out ahead. Click BETTER BUDGETING FOR 2018 for more information

3.) Create a money jars system- this system was introduced to me through T. Harv Eker's book, "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind". It does not matter the amount you start with, it is the habit of doing it daily. You will be surprised how your money will build just from starting with little.  For more information click here MONEY JARS SYSTEM.

4.) Pay yourself FIRST-  you are the most important product and you must get paid not only from your job or business but to yourself. Get an automatic savings plan at work or have your bank deduct a specific amount from your business account that can go into your own personal savings account.

5.) Prioritize your spending- Do you really need another pair of shoes or dress? That money can help pay off your student loan or credit cards. This is what prioritizing is all about. It may seem tempting yet you will feel really good when you are debt free and your savings grows.

These tips are just a few that can help get you started on your way to financial freedom. For other tips, please go to Instagram and follow these savvy financial folks:

@citygirlsavings

@financialista

@spiritualmoneyhealing

@cjthemoneyguru

Tell them @prosperous1__ sent you and I congratulate you on reading and taking your financial picture seriously. Please comment below and I support you!💓