Serve One Another in Love Column

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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

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