CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE RIGHT

Christmas is only two weeks away and there are those that still have not gotten any shopping done! Thank goodness for online shopping which can usually have last minute items shipped to you right before Christmas for an extra fee. The malls roll out the red carpet for last minute sales by having the stores open as early as 6 am. This is all well and good yet how will you shop for Christmas and make your budget stand up to the temptations of overspending?

First of all, holiday shopping does not have to be a chore. Sit down, write out a realistic budget and truly analyze what you will spend period. No excuses because you need to know where every dollar is going. Be sure to spend cash only and leave the credit cards at home.

Secondly, be sure to spend with the right emotions. This is so important because most people spend because of guilt and sometimes validation. To go further, when spending because of guilt it is when you buy something for someone you truly do not like (a relative, a co-worker) just because of the season. The guilt has to be gone because it is not your true you and you will beat yourself up another year for doing it. As for validation, some people spend to be liked and in hopes of getting something real nice. No! This goes along with the guilt trip. Some people will spend on who they want and you may not be one of them. So if you insist upon giving, do not be surprised if the favor is not returned. Just make a mental note to not include them on your next year's list.

Third, when shopping, the temptation from sales people and seeing beautiful displays will beckon unto you. Step away from the displays and graciously, yet firmly say "No thank you" to the sales people. You see, they are trying to meet their quota of sales for the year. You, on the other hand want to stick to your budget and remain sane.

Fourth, as for any children involved, please do not overload them with stuff they will only play with a little and have it sitting in a corner (for instance, toys and games). Once the newness of the gifts wear off, you will wonder what lead you to spend so much money. Also, do not allow their whining (the neighbor's kid got lots of stuff) to sway you, YOU are the parents, period.

Lastly, you will be proud of yourself for sticking to your budget and not having to use your credit cards (because you will pay them off asap and cut the cards...js).  Your Christmas will even be merrier as well as frugal.

To all of you, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and as always...

Stay Frugal and Proud!

Dot

ARTICLES AND SOURCES

Cutting Costs? Christmas Cheats For Frugal Gifts | Organized Christmas

5 Frugal Tips to Save on Your Christmas Shopping - Inspiring Savings

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:

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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

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

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!💓