Facing our finances isn’t always easy. In fact, many people don’t even worry about them until they become a problem. These postings are designed to help us keep a balanced look at where we are and where we want to be.

Where is it all going?

It’s Friday which means Payday for many people. So, do you know where your paycheck is? Do you know where it is going?

It is easy to fall in to a Friday mentality. I have two kids who are having birthdays in the next 6 weeks. One is on a Friday, another is on a Saturday. Both fall on the weekend of Paydays.

Does that mean that I can spend more because of where their birthdays land on the calendar?

No.

The other bills don’t disappear in celebration of my kids’ birthday any more than they disappear for my birthday or “Just because I want them to”. The reality is we have to get beyond a “Feast or Famine” view of our finances.

Consider what your attitude is toward money. Do you expect that things will be better in a few months? If so, what are you basing that on? Are you making changes to build yourself up so you can be sure there will be extra money when you need it?

What are some of the positive changes you are making to improve your financial future?
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Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Today’s Christian, Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal, and the Afictionado E-zine. Tenacious in her approach not only to create a great story, but also to mentor other writers, Tiffany can always be found in the presence of a book or laptop. A former world traveler who is fluent in three languages, she strives to reach those who are hurting around her.     She enjoys helping others build a strong business and writes a daily marketing blog for writers called the Writing Career Coach and a common-sense money management site, TheBalancedLife.com. Tiffany lives outside Toledo, OH with her husband, a recent cancer survivor, and their four girls.

Balance, Not Deprivation is a section designed for any person. It is about recognizing the danger of being TOO much of a saver. Wow, did I just say that? Yes. As a former tightwad I recognize that aggressive saving isn’t about fiscal responsibility, it’s about fear. This section is about how to enjoy small indulgences for a reasonable price.

What is your spending trigger?

A spending trigger is something that causes you to suddenly want to spend. For me it is the first warm day of Spring. Finally the sun is out; it is warm; the windows in my car are down [or if not, at least the vent is blowing in cold air instead of hot]. Everything feels great. I suddenly get the urge to go buy steaks, charcoal, and desserts.

Another spending trigger is when I’m all alone. Everyone once in a while all 4 girls are gone, my husband is out of town and I’m working all day at the house. I feel like going to the grocery and grabbing a few treats and making a nice dinner for one.

Those may not be your impulses. You might enjoy getting to the mall in the middle of winter. Maybe Fridays make you want to go to a restaurant. Whatever your spending trigger is, recognizing it can help you keep your budget in balance.

If yours is a weekly trigger you need to work it in to your budget [or simply ignore the impulse]. If you have the occasional trigger do what I do, spend the coin jar.  Use some kind of large jar [the bigger the better] and toss all your pocket change in it. If you can part with a dollar bill or two, put that in there as well. Then, when the impulse hits, dump your coins in to one of those Coinstar machines at the grocery and use the money to do something fun.

The key to saving money isn’t about NOT doing things all the time, is is about planning for those things so that you have the money waiting for you when the time comes.

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Bio
Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Today’s Christian, Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal, and the Afictionado E-zine. Tenacious in her approach not only to create a great story, but also to mentor other writers, Tiffany can always be found in the presence of a book or laptop. A former world traveler who is fluent in three languages, she strives to reach those who are hurting around her.     She enjoys helping others build a strong business and writes a daily marketing blog for writers called the Writing Career Coach and a common-sense money management site, TheBalancedLife.com. Tiffany lives outside Toledo, OH with her husband, a recent cancer survivor, and their four girls.

Money Saving Ideas is a section designed for any person, no matter their current financial sitation. This section has a variety of tips on saving money in different areas. If is for people who want to save money, or NEED to.
Decide your weekly meals ahead.

It never ceases to amaze me the way my food budget creeps up every time I decide it isn’t necessary to plan our dinners before going grocery shopping. Why is this? Well, I have a few theories.
1.    I always realize that I forgot to get a main ingredient. That means I have to zip to the grocery to buy a can of tomatoes. Of course, while I’m there I need to pick up 7 other things…and a 99cent movie from the self-serve kiosk. So that silly can of tomatoes just cost me $15.
2.    The next reason it costs me more is I spent thirty minutes each night figuring out what to make. While I’m trying to see what ingredients I ACTUALLY have the kids are devouring every snack known to man. No wonder I go through pretzels and apples so fast.
3.    And on time, they say time is money so how much time am I wasting every day trying to figure out meals?
4.    It cuts down impulse buying. Instead of getting everything you MIGHT need at the grocery, I’m only buying the things I know I WILL need. That alone can cut many food budgets! It cut ours in HALF!
I’m sure I’ll come up with more another day. This is just what I have so far. Think I’d love to hear from some of you on ways you’ve saved money on groceries. I’ll share them with the readers. You’ll be famous.

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Bio
Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Today’s Christian, Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal, and the Afictionado E-zine. Tenacious in her approach not only to create a great story, but also to mentor other writers, Tiffany can always be found in the presence of a book or laptop. A former world traveler who is fluent in three languages, she strives to reach those who are hurting around her.     She enjoys helping others build a strong business and writes a daily marketing blog for writers called the Writing Career Coach and a common-sense money management site, TheBalancedLife.com. Tiffany lives outside Toledo, OH with her husband, a recent cancer survivor, and their four girls.

Facing our finances isn’t always easy. In fact, many people don’t even worry about them until they become a problem. These postings are designed to help us keep a balanced look at where we are and where we want to be.

When facing uncertain times it is easy to get caught up in panic or extremes. When we are panicked we make rash decisions. When we’re in a hurry we may not choose the thing that will be in our best interest in the long run. Think of a kid who interrupts mom every time she gets a phone call. They know that whatever they ask for mom will say yes to get them to leave her alone.

Your financial lack, or potential financial lack, does the same thing. It keeps bombarding your thoughts with fear and promises of complete destruction.

We need to step back and deterimine where we are, what changes need to be made and then begin to work the plan. This cool headed approach will save the bulimic binge/purge cycle that epitomizes many financial plans.

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Bio
Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Today’s Christian, Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal, and the Afictionado E-zine. Tenacious in her approach not only to create a great story, but also to mentor other writers, Tiffany can always be found in the presence of a book or laptop. A former world traveler who is fluent in three languages, she strives to reach those who are hurting around her.     She enjoys helping others build a strong business and writes a daily marketing blog for writers called the Writing Career Coach and a common-sense money management site, TheBalancedLife.com. Tiffany lives outside Toledo, OH with her husband, a recent cancer survivor, and their four girls.