Five Secrets to Help You Reach Your Money Goals

Written by Colin Dunbar


Realistic View of Money Goals

Money is a not only a big motivator in our lives, but also a necessary part of it. Therefore, it is perfectly normal to set money goals, especially if we want to advance financially. It may be difficult for you to set, and stick to your money goals. Or you may be one ofrepparttar lucky few who find it easy. Forrepparttar 129448 most of us, it is not easy to set, and keep to our money goals. The real secret is there is no secret to reaching your money goals - it takes a little common sense, with a dash of determination.

This article offers five secrets/hints, which are practical, and when followed, it is possible to reach your money goals. I must stress that these secrets/hints are realistic.

What is your goal with money?

You have dreams and goals, and money is central to practically all your aspirations and goals. Money almost always is central to your achieving any number of goals. A teenager I spoke to some time ago complained that she had a goal, but she wouldn't be able to achieve it. She said it was her goal to travel abroad, but she didn't haverepparttar 129449 money.

I explained that money was in reality her first goal, and that is what she should focus on. She could take on part-time work, save from her allowance, and cut spending. By focusing on her money goals, she would then be able to work towards her bigger goal - that of going abroad.

You may haverepparttar 129450 goal to become financially independent, but that is not inrepparttar 129451 scope of this article.

Whatever your money goals are, you should always follow a strategy to reach them, otherwise it will be extremely difficult, if at all possible. The following are five practical hints to help you reach your money goals.

1. Have a Budget

Please note that this is a realistic discussion onrepparttar 129452 subject of having a budget. There are two aspects in having a budget: income and expenses. A successful budget meansrepparttar 129453 income is more thanrepparttar 129454 expenses. And therefore,repparttar 129455 success of your budget meansrepparttar 129456 control of these two aspects. Having specific goals can go a long way to helping you control these aspects. These can be anything from buying a home entertainment center, clearing credit card debt, going on holiday.

To help with establishing money goals, you could draw up a written "agreement" with your partner, spouse, friend or family member. This can be used to remind each other whenrepparttar 129457 impulsive buying urges surface. The first step in reaching your money goals isrepparttar 129458 control of your finances, and a realistic budget isrepparttar 129459 means to do this.

What do you do if your budget does not balance? There are in reality only two options: decrease expenses, or increase income. Most ofrepparttar 129460 time it is not easy or practical to getrepparttar 129461 former right. It is possible to increase income by making an extra income. This can be done through a variety of means. You could consider turning your hobby into an income generating source. Or you could investigate operating a web business -repparttar 129462 benefit of this is that it can be started with minimal start-up costs.

2. Stay away from debt

Now, wasn't that easy to say? Here it is paramount to have a realistic view. How possible is it really to stay away from debt? Asrepparttar 129463 old saying goes, "everything in moderation" or something along those lines. Getting into debt is one ofrepparttar 129464 easiest things in this world, and for this reason you need to put up your guard against it.

For illustration purposes, I'd like to sharerepparttar 129465 following with you: there is "essential debt" and "luxury debt", andrepparttar 129466 differentiation of these can help keep you out ofrepparttar 129467 debt trap. Your house, vehicle, household appliances, etc. fall inrepparttar 129468 "essential debt" category. Onrepparttar 129469 other end, things like entertainment centers, camcorders, and dress jewellery fall intorepparttar 129470 "luxury debt" category.

9 Fantastic Formulas for a Stress Free Holiday

Written by Julie Hunt


The holidays are officially here. And sorepparttar season for giving begins. Warm loving intentions, thoughtful giving and stocking stuffing take over.

It’s a wonderful time of year, but with allrepparttar 129443 activities, excitement and family obligations taking place atrepparttar 129444 same time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed and even a tad bit gloomy. Here are 9 simple steps to relax, let go and really enjoy a truly happy holiday!

1.Reflect on what an inspiration you are to others. The time you spend,repparttar 129445 love you give andrepparttar 129446 enthusiasm with which you do it all with is what matters most to people close to you. The beautifully wrapped presents and bows are far less important than your loving friendship. You are appreciated and cherished inrepparttar 129447 lives of so many people. Love yourself withrepparttar 129448 same appreciation.

2.Be honest with yourself and don’t stuff your feelings. As you start to feel range of emotions this holiday… whether it is joy or fear… frustration or liberation…Don’t push them away like last season’s Prada bag. Give them a special place. It will be far easier to enjoyrepparttar 129449 holiday if you are honest with yourself and experience allrepparttar 129450 good, bad and normal parts of life. Be as accepting and generous with yourself as you are withrepparttar 129451 people in your life you care aboutrepparttar 129452 most.

3.Show empathy and compassion. Our internal perception is reality. Whenever you show kind hearted compassion, you’ll get it back in return.

4.Be grateful for allrepparttar 129453 wonderful differences, preferences and opinions that you will encounter this holiday. Try to view life from a different perspective. Talk about differences that may come up in a loving way and make a special effort to sit onrepparttar 129454 same side ofrepparttar 129455 table (literally and figuratively). See if you can find it in your heart to love and appreciate Uncle Joe’s crazy quirk that normally sends you throughrepparttar 129456 roof. The joy and peacefulness of understanding another’s perspective while still honoring your own is a feeling to be savored!

5.Get plenty of sleep and squeeze in a few extra minutes to rest and relax. Sleep may seem like an indulgence this time of year, but it is absolutely essential to good health and a positive holiday outlook. Rest, slow-down and catch plenty of zzz’s. Be decadent and treat yourself to 3 -5 minutes a day without any books, junk mail or return calls. Take time to breathe, relax, reflect and introspect. If you’re feeling really sassy lie on your back and spread out inrepparttar 129457 middle ofrepparttar 129458 living floor. Is 3 minutes of your day just for one month too much to ask?

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