First Things First

I've been working full time for exactly 4 months now! If getting adjusted to the "real world" of working 40 hours a week was not enough, I had to get used to getting paid only once per month. In all of my previous work experiences I've been lucky enough to get paid weekly, so needless to say it was an adjustment from having a frequent source of income to working weeks at a time for (what felt like) nothing. Now I never thought I would say it, but I'm starting to see the bright side of my monthly pay schedule.  All of my bills are due at the beginning of the month, so I'm never worried about missing a payment. With all of my necessities out of the way early in the month, I spend the remainder of the month adjusting my activities/expenses to make sure I can stay in budget (assuming there is no emergency).  I just started having a percentage of my paycheck deposited into a savings account so now I'm able to save money upfront instead of scrambling to take what's left over at the end of the month to the bank...It's much easier for me to treat my savings as a bill that has to be paid.  Also, despite my bills and savings taken out of my paycheck at the beginning of the month, the amount left over is still a pretty nice amount due to the larger monthly checks.  Psychologically, I like seeing the bigger monthly paychecks...it makes it seem as if my money lasts longer, unlike the "revolving door" effect that comes with weekly pay.  All in all, this pay schedule allows me to take care of what's important, and surprisingly helps me to be a better budgeter (tongue twister!).  Imagine that!

Fun & Budget Friendly Idea Generator

One of my goals is to have a "no-spend" weekend each month.  Needless to say, I've had to become creative in finding ways to manage my time without wrecking my budget.  To make things easier, I've created a simple generator with 50 low cost activities that anyone can do.  It's easy to use, and if you are indecisive like me, it will select one idea for you with just the touch of a button! Your idea of fun may be different from mine, so feel free to add your own ideas to the generator.  Download by clicking HERE or selecting the link under my "Helpful Tools & Downloads" page.

Let me know what you think!

What "The Apprentice" taught me about money management

This week I caught the premiere episode of the new season of The Apprentice.  The show was an absolute thrill ride! I think I'm going to try to watch this season regularly...I especially like how this season is focusing on second chances for people who have been struggling due to the economy.   From hearing the personal stories of the contestants and watching the struggles of the team challenge, I found some life lessons and inspiration for my financial journey.  Here's what I learned:

Disappearing Acts

It's the day after payday.  Do you know where your money is?

$5 at the corner store.  A quick dollar menu lunch from McDonald's.  The daily Starbucks latte.  These little purchases may not seem like much, but that's the problem.  It takes a few of these before you are able to really notice a big dent in your account,  so it's easy to justify making these purchases everyday.  By the end of the month, you may have spent $100 or more than you planned!

The More You Know...

I am no longer in school, so I am completely in charge of what I choose to read and study for the first time in years. I wholeheartedly believe in personal development and being a lifelong learner, so I am committed to gathering all the information I can to help me improve my finances. I want to share with you all some of the resources that I’m using to bring me closer to achieving my goals.