The Secret to Keeping your Budget on Track – Women
The Secret to Keeping your Budget on Track
Darlene Arechederra
"Dont find fault; find a remedy." -- Henry Ford
B-u-d-g-e-t. The very word can cause us to tremble in our new boots! But a hard-working soul need not fear -- theres a simple way to win the battle of the budget. Its great fun, and what better time to get started! So whats the secret
*** Build Some Rewards and Fun Into Your Budget! ***
Think this tip is too simple to be effective Consider the last time you blew your budget. You were probably zipping along just fine. Life was great. A month later, you slipped up just a bit. Two months later -- boom! Your budgets blown, big time. How long did it take you to get back on track after that
Think back on your most recent project. Was there a reward waiting for you after completion If not, did you feel as if the project took forever, with no light at the end of the tunnel Your rewards will serve as a mini-light at the end of your tunnel.
How to Set Up Your Goodies List
Heres where the fun starts. Your Goodies List will be your own personal list of rewards, fun, or items youd like to buy or do. Jot down some things that excite you, things you can look forward to. Why Because theres no budget on the earth that will work if you have no motivation to keep going.
How to Use Your Goodies List to Motivate You
For every month or week youre able to stay on track with your budget, reward yourself with one item from your Goodies List. Keep your reward in a range you can easily afford just make sure its enough to motivate you. Try $40 or less for a monthly reward. For weekly, try $10. Even $5 can energize you.
In the past, you might have felt as if you were giving up things to stay on track. Youll find that youre not giving up anything at all. Youre simply targeting the things you really want or need, and rewarding yourself for not making those budget-blowing purchases. Its easy to burn out or feel deprived if theres nothing to show for your hard work.
Affordable Suggestions for Your Goodies List
** Longing to change the colors in your bathroom Try:
A towel to match your new color scheme.
A can of paint
A new shower curtain
A new rug
** Dreaming of taking up writing How about:
A course on writing
A book on writing a best seller
Paper, pens, resources, software for writers
A new writing area in your home
** Yearning for fancy new tires for your hot rod Try:
For each month/week you stay on track, write yourself a check for your reward amount and tuck it into an envelope.
When youve saved up enough to purchase one tire, go shopping! Write one check for the tires, then destroy the other checks. Update your checkbook, making up any small difference.
Buy your tires one at a time as you earn them. If theres a huge discount for buying more than one at a time, simply keep saving your checks until you can buy more than one only do this if you can stay motivated.
** Simply want to feel more secure If money itself will motivate you, consider this:
Write yourself a check as your reward instead. Use it to open a savings account. Name your account, writing the name on the cover of a pocket notebook.
Carry it in your pocket or purse, tracking every deposit you make in this notebook. Keep your balance up to date.
Make it a big deal it is, you know.
So, how motivating is that Keep in mind, your rewards are not just for keeping your budget on track. Use your Goodies List to help you ward off procrastination and keep you energized to complete your projects even those dreaded chores.
Now, tweak your plan until youve got it working for you. Go ahead -- get started today!
About The Author
Darlene Arechederra offers simple, unique strategies to help others move from spending to saving. She believes the trick is to discover which ideas work best for each person - because their money isnt one-size-fits-all. Darlene encourages others to discover their *own* unique strategies for saving money! Sign up today for free newsletter: http://www.RatRaceRemedies.com
Dar@RatRaceRemedies.com
Organize and Decorate Your Home on a Budget with Baskets – Home
Organize and Decorate Your Home on a Budget with Baskets
Karen Fritscher-Porter
Whats an item that can help you organize every room in your home, helps create the appearance that youre a tidy housekeeper even if youre not, and perks up your decorating scheme
Need another hint
It comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and materials and can be found in many local retail stores, including craft stores and discount retailers, and at flea markets and craft shows and well basically its a universal item found all over the world. You probably have one right now in your home.
Its a basket!
So the next time someone gives you one filled with anything from sweets to colognes, dont discard it once youve used whats in it. Once the items are gone, the baskets job has only just begun. Read onward to find out how to use this wonderful item in every room in your house.
For instance, in the kitchen, you can use hanging wall pocket baskets, which have flat backs, to store dry sponges and scrubbers as well as pot holders, oven mitts, dry dish rags and spare kitchen hand towels.
And in your family room or den, you might use a deep, round or cylindrical shaped basket on the coffee table to hold television or other electronic remotes. A basket made of rags will slide without scratching or put a doily underneath. Imagine never losing the television remote again because you have an assigned place to put it in full view--that blends in with your home decor.
And in the bedroom, a wicker hamper with a lid in the closet can store extra pillows and keep them dust-free. If you see openings in the wicker slats or dont like your linens snagging on the inside of the basket, line the hamper with a sheet or large gallon trash bag.
The ideas for using these globally designed and sold products that have been around for decades are infinite. And probably no product is so practical and useful as well as beautiful. And modestly priced too! Baskets are handmade works of art that are functional. Imagine serving drinks on that glorious one-of-a-kind painting you have hanging on the wall. Not! But with baskets you can literally put your most unique artwork into daily usage and daily view.
Baskets come in many sizes, shapes and materials such as willow, rattan, bamboo, rope, palm leaf, wire and rags. And many are adorned with metal garnishes, dried coco flowers, gugo vine handles and more.
Its that variety of qualities that make baskets so easy to organize AND decorate with simultaneously.
And you dont have to take a basket as it comes. Dress up any of your baskets by gluing on your own garnishments. For example, craft stores sell all types of trinkets you can glue on your baskets. Be creative. Try personalizing your baskets with anything from buttons to plastic candy canes to miniature toy figures or mini cloth stockings. You could also buy miniature toys and figurines from typical large discount retailers or smaller dollar stores. What fun to do by yourself or with your children. And when youre done, you can still put that basket to work in an organizational function in your home---only it will have twice the value to you the purchase price plus the priceless sentimental value.
c 2004 Karen Fritscher-Porter
About The Author
Excerpted from the book entitled How to Organize and Decorate with Baskets by Karen Fritscher-Porter. Learn how to get your own copy at http://www.OrganizeWithBaskets.com.
Family Night on a Budget! – Parenting
Family Night on a Budget!
Cyndi Roberts
When you and your family are on a tight budget, sometimes one of the first things to be cut out is money for entertainment.
When our 3 children were small, my husband and I always tried to find fun things to do as a family that didnt make a huge dent in our budget.
One thing we recommend is setting aside one night a week for "Family Fun Night". Turn off the TV and the phone and do something together. It doesnt have to be an expensive outing, but do plan ahead and let the children have some input into your plan.
Here are some ideas for family fun on a budget.
1. Take a walk through your neighborhood. Say hello to everyone you meet, whether you know them or not. Point out to your children some of the beautiful things in nature, maybe the beautiful sunset, someones pretty flowers, the clouds in the sky.
Teaching them to enjoy and appreciate simple things is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your children. When you arrive back home, treat yourselves to homemade ice cream sundaes!
2. A great source of cheap entertainment is your public library. At our library, we can check out family videos and jigsaw puzzles as well as books. Check out a video the whole family can enjoy and pop some popcorn maybe the old-fashioned way-- some children dont even know theres any other kind but microwave popcorn!
3. Have a family picnic in the park. Let the kids help prepare the food--make sandwiches, pack an ice chest, make cookies for dessert. The town we lived in when our children were small, had a nice park with lots of playground equipment. It was a real treat for them.
4. During the school year, we took advantage of entertainment the school had to offer. For example, a couple of times a year, the high school band has a free band concert. The Christmas concert was always our favorite. Some schools have drama clubs that offer plays from time to time. If you live in a college town, you will have access to even more opportunity for free or low-cost concerts and plays.
5. In the summer, set aside one night to make home- made ice cream. Invite grandparents to come over and talk about the "old days". Maybe you would even like to go so far as to make the ice cream with a hand cranked freezer. If your parents dont live close, think about inviting an older couple or person from your neighborhood. They will enjoy it and so will your children!
6. During the winter months, when its impossible to get outdoors, make some hot chocolate and read aloud a classic book, in installments. Research shows that children who are read to from an early age, are better readers themselves.
Im sure you get the idea by now. What you do on family night may not be as important as just doing it! Keep it simple and fun!
--Good character, like good soup, is usually homemade!
About The Author
Cyndi Roberts website, "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" will show you ways to save money everyday. Receive a Free e-course on saving money at the supermarket! To learn more, visit http://www.cynroberts.com
editor@cynroberts.com