That Is The Question!
I have not announced this here on EOD yet, but thought that today would be the best time to do so. Alana and I are having another baby, due to arrive on October 26th to be exact. I am very excited about this and today we find out whether we are having a boy or a girl. I LOVE BEING A DAD, it is the best gift EVER! What Do I Hope We Are Having? Honestly it really doesn’t matter to me. Either way I will be excited just the same. I do hope that my wife is able to have the little girl she has always wanted, but she has even said either way, she will be pleased. So if we had to say one way or the other, we would both say we want a girl next. So at 10a.m. this morning we shall find out!!
I Have To Slow My Blog Roll
Well, some of you may have noticed that last week, I didn’t post as much. In fact I only really posted one, had a video post, and offered you a guest post. I kind of figured it was going to happen, but I wanted to ride the wave as long as I could. I did, and it was fun! Real fun! In the process I got behind on some other things in my life and now it is time to step back up to the plate to take care of them.
Things I need to do:
- finish remodeling the upstairs – my in-laws have been kind enough to help us remodel our house, as their gift to us…and I need to get on it, so it can be done!
- work on organizing my time – I have to learn how to manage my time in a way that will allow me to maximize my efforts. I want to accomplish A LOT each day, so this is a MUST!
- hitting the gym – I really need to focus on this so that I can be around a long time to watch my beautiful children grow. This is probably one of my hardest to stick to goals, but it must become a lifestyle change and a priority. Now is as good a time as any!
- find a another full-time job – As you know, I work for tips. Tips have not been great lately, so instead of wait around for the economy to get better, I have decided to move on. I am looking for full-time employment and I plan to keep my delivery job part-time to bring in extra money. I am also considering doing some pressure washing on the side over the summer.
- prepare for my speaking engagement – In September I have been asked to speak at Sweet Briar College, for one hour, and this requires some preparation. (I will be talking about budgeting, savings, buying a home, and managing/avoiding student loans.) I have a few things I have to submit before July 7th, and really need to start working on my message and delivery as well. This is my chance to really dig my heels in and spread my message to even more people.
- focus on my public speaking class – It goes without saying that this class will help me with the above goal. The more I put into it the more I will get out of it. I actually have to deliver an Impromptu speech to my class this evening. We were given some freedom to choose our topic, and I have chosen to discuss why I hate debt so much. SURPRISED? Another thing about this class is that it will make me a better writer as well. I have already learned so much about writing, and truthfully that is the reason I decided not to publish the first installment of my new series. I want to make it better so it helps you the most.
- stabilizing my sleep habits – this area of my life probably causes me more problems than any other area. I would say that if I could get this one area stabilized, it would help me get better in all of the others. I DO NOT sleep! I have done a sleep study and got nothing from it. Sometimes I will just lie in bed, tortured by my burning eyes and intense desire to sleep, but can’t fall asleep to save my life! I need to put myself on a strict sleep regiment, requiring me to wake up and go to sleep at the same times every single day. I also plan to visit my doctor.
- KILL OUR REMAINING DEBT – This is something that in order for me to knock it out, I need to become intensely focused on KILLING it! It needs to be gone! It has hung around for too long! It is what is keeping me from starting my financial coaching business and experiencing financial peace for my family. Working more, is the short term solution, and is necessary at this point in time. With sacrifice comes rewards!
I love writing for this blog! I could spend everyday doing it, but the truth is I do not get paid for writing this blog. One day I hope to make enough money to justify spending so much time on EOD. I want to make this site the go-to-place for people trying to get out of debt, not just a place for people to come and read a bunch of filler articles so that I can say I write full time. I want to give you quality at it’s best, and it is something I am working on.
I am collaborating with one of my readers to eventually publish the EOD Deluxe Budget Version 3.0 with lots of new features to make your life easier. I am also trying to meet up with a friend of mine to help me with the look I desire for EOD. I really need to pump out that series that I started and I want it to be off the hook! I also have a few guest posts that I really need to write as well. I have a debt free interview coming soon as well from a twitter friend of mine. Stay on the look out, things will be happening, just at a slower rate with an interest on quality instead of quantity.
I hope that switching back to writing part-time does not mean that I will lose any of you. I truly enjoy that you have decided that what I have done here is valuable to you, and my only goal is to make it better and more valuable. After all I do not write for myself, I write for YOU! I also do not want this to sound as though I want the ideas or questions to stop coming. Those are often where I get my best articles from, so thanks, and keep them coming!! I am going to try and publish 2 to 3 articles a week, and if I have time for more, or am feeling so inspired, you will get more.
What About This Week?
I will probably be a little light this week as well, so that I can play catch up. I do have a guest post I plan to post as well as a follow up by me concerning that guest post.
Now it is time for me to just do it. I talk all the time on this blog about taking control of your own problems, by resolving to fix them yourself. Instead of complaining that I just don’t have enough time in the day, or that I am not making enough money, or that my debt just won’t go away, or complaining about my weight, I am taking control. I CAN MAKE THESE GOALS HAPPEN, and I will!
What do you think? Is my decision a deal breaker for you, the subscriber? What do you think of my goals, and can you give me any advice that will be valuable to me in achieving those goals? I want to know!
- DOWNLOAD THIS BUDGET – I created this budget to give people the tools needed to budget effectively. Budgeting is very important and I have received many emails about how it has helped people with the process. Give it a try and see what you think!
- FOLLOW THESE 7 EASY STEPS TO BUDGETING – Proven methods to help you beat the budgeting blues. So many people, including myself, have started a budget and before the month ends the budget is busted. It kills your motivation and desire to budget, and before you know it you are right back to your old ways. This post will keep that from happening to you.
- LEARN TO SAVE – This is too important to ignore!! I know what keeps you from saving money but do you?
- UNLOCK YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL – In my opinion there is nothing that keeps someone from prosperity as much as not taking responsibility for their own life and problems. You must take action if you want to change your situation. Waiting for someone else to prime the engine will keep you right where you are.
- INVEST FEARLESSLY – Fear is our worst enemy, even worse than debt! When you are scared you make decisions on the fly and panic causes you to rush those decisions. If you have planned well for your future then you are probably enjoying the low prices. If you have not planned then you better get ready for the next BIG SALE!
- TEACH YOUR CHILDREN SOUND FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES – Don’t rely on our misguided school system to teach your kids about money because they WON’T. Step up to the plate and prepare your children for the life they will be pushed into once they become an adult. If they are not aware of what is smart and what is not, they will be enslaved by credit card companies camped out at their college campus.
- DON’T BE AFRAID TO RENT – So many people buy a house before they can truly afford it. We did it too so don’t take this personal, that’s why we had to use “creative financing” to purchase both of our homes. Just because you can afford the payment doesn’t mean you can afford the house. When life happens it doesn’t care if you have savings, can pay your mortgage, or got an unwanted pay cut.
- RECESSION PROOF YOUR LIFE – It’s really pretty simple. If you plan for the future then a recession doesn’t really have much of an impact. The key is using your greatest wealth building tool.
- GIVE YOURSELF A RAISE – Do you barely make it through each month by the skin of your teeth? Wonder where you can get that raise you have been looking for? I bet I can find you that raise!!
- ADJUST YOUR PRIORITIES – You are where you are today because of the decisions you made yesterday. Your priorities can be found by following where your money is spent. Is there something that you feel you deserve? (Like Health Care?) If your priorities were different could you afford that something?
- GIVE YOUR TEENAGERS AN ADVANTAGE – Teenagers and young adults are often pressured into something they don’t want to do simply because society, and probably their parents, tell them that they should. They pick a job based on the salary instead of their strengths. To top it off they go into debt to get that diploma and spend most of their adult life paying off the master for something they don’t even enjoy doing. (Intended for teenagers but helpful for most adults)
Did any of these articles help you? Subscribe & leave your comment below…
As it stands now this is not a political blog, and I want to keep it that way. However, with the upcoming election, coupled with recent events (bailout, mortgage crisis) and the state of our economy, I feel it is important to address this issue. It seems that so many people are putting all of their faith into electing a President that they feel will fly down from the sky with his Presidential cape and leotards to save the day. Why is that? Do people really believe that Washington is going to come to the rescue? Do you really think that is where the answers are going to be found?
If so, I’ve got news for you. It’s not true. Regardless of who gets elected in November, you are still going to have debt. If the Economy was booming you would still have debt. If the Economy is horrible, yep you guessed it, your financial situation is still the same. Your debt is the problem, not Washington. Until you get your financial situation under control nothing is going to make your life any easier when it comes to your finances. Maybe it is time you sit back and reflect upon your decisions and ask yourself a few questions.
- Do I have a budget?
- Is there anything that I can cut from my expenses each month?
- Do I have adequate savings?
- Do I rely on my Credit Cards during an Emergency?
- If I lost my job today, would I be okay?
- Are my priorities truly in order?
- If something were to happen to me (God forbid), would my family be okay?
- Is debt the center of my finances?
- CAN I DO BETTER WITH MY MONEY?
Let’s break it down shall we. If you had a budget, cut your expenses to necessities, had adequate savings, didn’t rely on your credit cards to bail you out, knew what your priorities really were, and didn’t consider debt to be your savior – the state of the economy wouldn’t put such a strain on your wallet, would it? You would not only feel safe and prepared, you would be able to use your income to make your financial situation EVEN better! Think about it! A recession is like a BIG sale and the perfect time to invest wisely.
According to a recent report on consumer debt released by the Federal Reserve, this country owes an out-of-control 2.5 Trillion dollars. This is INSANE! Here’s some context for you.
Unbelievable right? Now add another trillion and a half and recalculate. This crisis is huge, and until Americans start to realize how dumb debt really is, I am afraid we have more troubling times ahead. My point is this. Don’t wait on Washington to fix what you yourself can fix RIGHT NOW! Don’t believe for one second that any person elected into office is going to make your life complete. Step up to the plate and fix your own economy. Stop borrowing money, put yourself on a budget, spend less than you make and save as much as you can along the way. If you are not doing these things then you have no right to complain about living paycheck to paycheck.
There is NO EXCUSE as to why we in America shouldn’t be able to achieve wealth. After looking at the “Ben & Arthur Invests” example that illustrates compound interest perfectly, I am convinced that those that do not acquire wealth in this country really don’t want it unless it is given to them by those that do. Look at the chart for yourself; am I wrong? If you think so, I would absolutely love to hear from you…leave your comments below.
America has no use for Piggy Banks anymore!
America is in the RED!
With a negative savings rate, America is in DESPERATE need of a Total Money Makeover. What will it take? When will people finally understand why saving money is too important to ignore? America needs new priorities, like yesterday! As one of the very many bloggers who blog about money and personal finance, it is my duty to help spread the word. How much do YOU have saved up?
What in the world is keeping us from doing what we know we should?
Is your savings account overflowing with riches? I didn’t think so? Lucky for you, there are answers. Based on our own experience and that of those around us, payments are the biggest hindrance to why Americans don’t save. After all, our payments are often times our entire paycheck. We (society) have payments for credit cards, student loans, furniture, electronics, cars, Christmas, cable television, internet, and some have taken loans out on their pets. All of these payments are the reason we can not save money.
Who is to blame? The company you work for? The school you went to? The Government? Rich people? Prepare yourself for what I am about to say. The answer is none of the above, it is YOU. You have subscribed to normal and you may have not even known it. Society is not a very good example of how we should be saving our money. Society has forgotten what the word priority means. A priority is defined as something highest or higher in importance. Society says that it is more important to impress others. I say that impressing others by going into debt, is a bad priority. Impress them by not living paycheck to paycheck. Impress them with contentment and Financial Peace! Rearrange your priorities if you want to win with money.
A credit card is NOT an Emergency Fund!
Anything that hurts you more than it helps you should not be used as an Emergency Fund. An Emergency Fund is supposed to cushion emergencies not create them. If you continue to use credit cards for emergencies, you will continue to live paycheck to paycheck. Credit cards are not our friends! They only encourage us to spend money that isn’t ours, and they trick us into believing that the interest we pay for the privilege to do so is worth it in the end. Is it? How well are the credit card companies doing? How well are you doing? I think the answer is obvious, don’t you?
Blame the evil rich people!
Dave Ramsey has a very good example of why hating a rich person because they are rich is completely wrong. As if just the fact that someone has lots of money makes them evil. Money is not good or bad, it is AMORAL. It’s the person who handles the money that is either good or bad. Money can be used for good and evil, by rich people as well as poor people. How about using it for good to combat evil? If we all were doing better off financially, wouldn’t we be in a better position to really help those in need? Instead we are conned into believing that the Government can do it for us. We continue to do poorly with our money and then expect an inept Government to bail us out. By the way, doesn’t the Government need a Total Money Makeover? Not to mention a new rule that says to be a Government representative one must complete Financial Peace University training? Dave Ramsey for President?
I’m sure you know who Murphy is!
Murphy is that law that says if it can happen it will. When you are unprepared Murphy will stop by and completely sabotage your life. Just when things seem to be going smoothly, he will come in and destroy your hope. Without an Emergency Fund you are more susceptible to emergencies! When anything happens that you are not prepared for it is an emergency every time. When you are prepared, Murphy stops by because that’s just life, but he doesn’t have the same impact as he once did. Prepare yourself today and tell Murphy to get lost. Having an Emergency Fund is a pretty good way to eliminate some stress too!
What would it be like to have an Emergency Fund?
Day Dream with me for a moment. You have been introduced to a Total Money Makeover and you are prepared. For the first time in your life you have NO DEBT, and you have saved up 3/6 months of expenses. (See diligence does pay off) All of a sudden you hear a crackling sound coming from somewhere in your house. You soon realize that the crackling was not popcorn and has quickly turned into a swooshing sound. Is it raining? Well, in a sense. Your pipes have busted and you just know it is going to cost thousands of dollars to fix it. Your basement is flooded and this is an emergency. What do you do? You calmly walk over to the phone, call a plumber and a clean up crew, and then you grab your checkbook and write a check for the total. No scratching and clawing your way to the next dollar! No borrowing money from family! You didn’t have to pay someone 18% to solve your problem! Instead, you were prepared. Doesn’t it feel GREAT? Congratulations! (A rainy day fund really does work, especially when it rains!)
Now wake up and go make it happen! Prepare yourself for “unexpected” events by having an EMERGENCY FUND!! Financial Peace feels way better than your current method. Give it a try!
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