Money Clarity – ecourse Main Page

Step 4 – did anyone have a hard time getting really real about what is actually currently being spent? …We always spend way more on groceries than I wish we did. Sometimes it’s hard to break things up by month but that’s what I did for mine. Example – health category- there are many things that are just bought once or twice a year like vitamins, or an unexpected doctor visit.

What I have found works best for us is that I try to figure out what I spend all year on those things (I’ve been tracking our spending for years so this may have been a little easier for me to look back through past years, but don’t get discouraged if you don’t track currently.), then divide by 12 and set that aside each month. That way when it’s time to get one of those items it doesn’t completely catch us off guard. You could do this in a savings acct or in cash in a designated envelope put safely somewhere.

Another area I swear by doing this in.. I put aside a certain amount of cash each month for dates. Often we will go have coffee or something cheap a couple times a month but then that amount builds up over time and it’s waiting there giving us permission and also making sure we devote that to us instead of the kids or a million other things that would absorb that money.

So I had an epiphany of sorts while doing this and putting it into action this week. I shared my excitement over the fun things like a vacation. But the other 2 top priorities for me right now are putting aside some more money in savings just for peace of mind (and knowing we’re driving 2 older cars that will need to be replaced at some point). The other is Sky’s college fund.

So for me I realize that I connect more emotionally to the vacation one. That one makes me excited to save every penny and i can visualize taking in new sights… the other 2 goals… admittedly are more “shoulds” I know we need to do them but they don’t get me out of bed in the morning.

So, we already have a bit automatically deducted each month into a college savings account. Well, I’m going to start doing that each month with savings as well. That way I don’t debate myself about it and it just gets done without me even thinking about it. Then it’s truthfully even more of a amotivation for me to use the remaining money wisely so that I still am able to put some away for an anniversary trip.

We all know our personality styles, some of us will have no problem being disciplined, others will need to outsmart themselves like I’m having to do with savings…

This really can apply to any income level. It may be that you need to put more away for retirement… others may need to make sure there is food on the table and the lights stay on. All of us have areas where we are more vulnerable to overspending. It may be an expensive piece of jewelry for someone or an expensive purse… another person it may be overspending on the kids halloween costumes instead of buying used ones this year. both are valid and again.. no shame in either place. Do the best with what you have and where you are.