Monday May 21, 2012
Have you ever suffered from a case of the "I wannas?" I want a new television. I want a new car. I want a new house. I want a new outfit. It seems like every time you turn around there is something new, better and cooler than what you already have. It can be exhausting to keep up with everything, and frustrating when you know that you can't have the thing you want the most right now. The "I Wannas" are dangerous because if they aren't put in check you may end up running up credit card debt and totally blowing your current financial situation.
I've found the best way to deal with these is give myself a little bit of spending money every month. Some months I'm able to put it aside and save it for those months when I find something I really want, like right now. It is important that you have some money set aside to pay for the things you just want. This can be referred to as fun money, blow money, or allowance. No matter what you call it, it is money that you can spend just because you want to. This is a key to having a successful budget, because it gives you a little wiggle room, and stops you from feeling totally deprived, which is a sure way to blow your budget. The key is to stick to the amount you have budgeted each month.
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Thursday May 17, 2012
This weekend the challenge is a check up to see if you are staying on track with the goals you set at the beginning of the year. A lot of people stop focusing on their goals by this time of the year, so it is a great time to review them and make sure that you are working towards the right goals and still making solid progress on your financial situation.
It will not take long to check on your budget and your debt payment plan. You can also make adjustments if you need to so that you have a little extra money for your vacation plans this summer. You should always strive to live within your means and not fall back on credit card debt to cover any of your expenses. You can make it through the summer if you stay focused. This weekend is time to make sure you are still focused on the bigger picture.
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Monday May 14, 2012
The countdown to summer has officially begun at my house, and with only eighteen days left until school is out, we have a lot of activities to plan and things to do. Even when I don't officially have a stretch of three months off I love summer. The lazy days, the heat and the chance to slow down a bit. But the best part is summer vacation at the beach or camping in the mountains. If you haven't started planning your summer yet, it's definitely time to start.
Summer plans do not have to be expensive. There are ways you can save money so that you can do the things you want to the most. Make this a great summer by sticking to your vacation budget and making a commitment to to not go into debt, while you still do the things you enjoy the most. Some of the most memorable things you do will not cost much money.
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Thursday May 10, 2012
This weekend your challenge is to update your resume. It is important that you take the time to do this a few times a year. Updating your resume as you go makes it easier to include all of the skills you have acquired and the honors you have won. If you are not already on LinkedIn, you should set up your profile this weekend as well. This is an important challenge to complete even if you are not currently looking for another job.
Keeping an up-to-date resume means that you are prepared if your dream job opens suddenly or if you find yourself looking for work without a lot of thought. It also allows you to see where you need to improve your skill set and determine how to get additional training so that when you are ready to look for new work, you will be qualified for the next job you want to have. Take the time this weekend to update your resume.
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