Serve One Another in Love Column

By -
Hi there --
I am posting my weekly column for the Serve One Another in Love blog on here, so I can link it to their facebook page as they are having issues and not able to update their site. I just don't want to leave anyone hanging from the last challenge
=)

Last week, I asked you to track your expenses. Just one week of writing down everything that you spent money on.

 
This does two different things for you:
  1. Make you more cautious of what you spend before it leaves your hand.
  2. Make you see where you are really putting your money.
If you take your weekly list, and multiply it by 4, you get a picture of what your monthly habits could be.
  • That $4 McDonald's breakfast, twice a week, ads up to $32 a month.
  • That daily $3 gourmet coffee ads up to $60 a month.
  • That $5 pack of cigarettes ads up to $50 a month, if a pack lasts you 3 days.
Those are simple examples of things you wanted, but didn't NEED.

 
Did you find yourself thinking twice before you spent any money this week?
When you are concentrating on keeping a record, it tends to make you more conscious of your choices, the same reason that the weight loss programs all have you keep a food log.

 
Now, how could you save on those things on my simple sample list?
  • A $4 box of cereal will get you 4-6 breakfasts (but we would never pay full price for a box!)
  • Making coffee at home could cost you $20 a month, after you buy your own beans and make it at home. Throw a little vanilla extract or cinnamon over the grounds before you brew to make it "gourmet".
  • Seriously, quit smoking. That $50 is a drop in the bucket compared to the real cost to your health!
You now have a peek into where you money is going. It's time to work on a budget!
  • How much money do you bring in a month?
  • Now subtract the list of the items you HAVE to spend money on (rent, utilities, insurance, etc).
  • This lets you know what you have left to spend a month (not that you have to spend it all)!
Next week, we are going to start working on how to spend that money better, by creating a system to help start getting you organized!

 
Until then, keep tracking your expenses. Get a full view by continuing to journal it for the entire month.

 
Blessings ~
Dannelle

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cookie Recipe #21 - Butter Rich Spritz

By -
Image
Cookie Exchange Parties are SO MUCH FUN - for a few simple reasons:You get together with your friends You make only ONE kind of cookie and finish your holiday baking, after swapping out You get new recipes You often have snacks or games! That being said, I do one every year - in December, about 2 weeks before Christmas. (You can read about it HERE or see a TV segment I did on it http://youtu.be/-iUR7GlAiQw ). I thought it would be fun to have a collection of 30 fun recipes to try - one a day in November - so you can be prepared for that holiday baking! Today's recipe idea comes from Book Cooking. net Ingredients 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar 2 egg yolks 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Sift together the flour and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the egg yolks,...
Read more

Chili Dog Casserole

By -
Image
I know this sounds strange -- and yummy at the same time, LOL You need to know the family history to "get it". We are part German, part English, part Irish and part Tennessee Hillbilly. Seriously. Did you ever see that black and white movie of Gary Cooper's called Sergeant York? Yes, my family comes from the Dyer/Yorks -- same family. Some of the "family recipes" are too far out there for even me to try... But this is a pot luck favorite. SUPER Easy and SUPER Easy to make healthier. We choose the middle of the road option, LOL You need:  1 package hot dog buns (8 ct) 1 package hot dogs 2 cups chili (or 1 can) 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese "fixins" That's it! You could do gluten free or whole grain wheat buns, turkey or tofu dogs, vegetarian chili, vegan or light cheese, you get the drift. We do white buns, cut them up and place in the 9x13 pan, like you see here: Then you dice up the hot dogs ...
Read more

Forget The Resolutions Giveaway Hop!

By -
Image
Forget The Resolutions Giveaway Hop January 21 - 26, 2012 Hosted by Planet Weidknecht and Going Crazy!!Wanna Go?? It's been three weeks since you've made all those resolutions.It's said that it takes 21 days to make a new habit, so you've probably already broken your New Year's Resolutions. I say - FORGET THE RESOLUTIONS ! Let's have a giveaway hop instead! The Forget The Resolutions Giveaway Hop runs from January 21 @ 12:01 a.m. EST to January 26 @ 11:59 p.m. EST. Each blogger is hosting their own giveaway of at least $20.00. After you enter my giveaway, be sure to visit the other blogs and enter theirs too!
Read more