Reaching Impossible Financial Goals in Time

Setting financial goals can often seem daunting.  Saving for Christmas shopping or next years' vacation can be a difficult task and takes a little time, under a year, to accomplish.  Larger financial goals, like saving cash for a new car, paying off a home mortgage or investing for retirement, can often seem impossible.  But truth is, they are reachable goals, they just take longer.

By believing that what seemed impossible was most likely possible, we have been able to pay cash for our last three cars and pay off our home mortgage several years early.  It took time, perseverance, sacrifice, planning and a lot of clipped coupons, but the impossible became possible.

I have read that "nothing is impossible unless you believe it to be so."  This is not true in all areas of life, but when it comes to financial goals we often miss out because we believe them to be impossible.  If we would only believe, and fight our way to the finish line, we can reach many financial goals.

So remember the words of Fridtjof Nansen the next time you feel defeated by a financial goal before you get started; "The difficult is what takes a little time.  The impossible is what takes a little longer." Time is on your side, take it one day and one dollar at a time, and in time, you will reach your goal.

Thrift Takes Creativity ~ Words of Wisdom

When G. K. Chesterton originally wrote, "Thrift is poetic because it is creative; waste is unpoetic because it is waste," it was in the context of upcycling trash--using everything you can.  Upcycling does take creativity.  Being thrifty with a budget also takes a creative thought process.

I often say, "we need to get creative to lower our utility bills," or some other area of our budget.  When it comes to groceries a creative menu can go a long way in reducing weekly grocery budget. The use of sales, printable coupons and money saving apps for grocery shopping [like Ibotta and SavingStar] takes creativity in combining the three to create a perfect deal.

So the next time you want to work on saving money,  let your imagination run wild and see how creative thrift can be poetic.

Pinch the Pennies and the Dollars Will Follow ~ Words of Wisdom

Whether we want to save for a rainy day, an emergency fund, a special trip or just need to stretch the dollars in our budget, we must watch the pennies.  It's the little leaks in our plans that can sink them, and if we watch those pennies we will automatically watch the dollars.  So the next time you are evaluating a financial goal you have be sure to "take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves."

Spending Cash is Like Dandelion Seeds Blowing in the Wind

I was looking at images of dandelions the other day and saw one in seed stage with dozens of seeds blowing off in the wind.  Memories of childhood immediately flooded my mind--I loved to blow the seeds off the dandelion heads.  But then my mind switched back to real time and I could see the seeds as dollars in my budget blowing away quickly thru spending.

It is as easy to empty a wallet as it is to blow the seeds off of a dandelion; and the pleasure is often as short lived.  Once those dollars are spent it is impossible to gather them back into my wallet, just like the dandelion seeds blowing in the wind can never be put back on the dandelion seed head.  I believe I will never see another dandelion without being reminded to guard my budget from the "wind" of my spending.

Images from ClipArts.co.

Finish the Journey By Taking the First Step ~ Words of Wisdom

A more accurate translation would be "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet," which reminds me I am standing on the starting line of my goal and it's up to me alone to start the journey.  This proverb has helped me reach many a goal in my life, from money to health to organization.  Tho the journey ahead seems impossibly long, when I take that first step the end seems much closer and doable.

In the financial realm I think of it as "A journey of a thousand dollars begins with a single dollar."  Whether I am longing for a new outfit or a new car, I need to begin where I am standing by cutting expenses and tucking away that first dollar.  And by staying on track and putting one foot, or one dollar, in front of the other I can reach my financial goal.

So the next time you have a financial goal, remember a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and take that first step.  Then with one step dollar at a time you will reach your journey's end.

Don't Spend Money to Impress Others ~ Words of Wisdom

This quote by Will Rogers is a great reminder to think before we spend.  It is wise to set reasons why spending money is okay, such as it is a purchase necessary for life, a gift for a loved one, etc.  Then we ask ourselves, "Why am I spending money on this purchase?"  If the answer is not on our "reasons for spending list" we need to think twice before making the purchase.  Do you have ways to decide if a purchase is in line with your goals?

Stop Dreaming: Wake Up and Work ~ Words of Wisdom

Earning and saving money doesn't come by accident.  If all we do is dream of having savings, it will be just that, a dream.  To become a reality we must "stay up and work for it."  The harder we work, the sooner we will reach our goal.

Sometimes it just takes that first step to get us moving, like saving our loose change.  Then it often seems to snowball and our goal is met and surpassed.  So next time you are dreaming about having more savings or spending cash, wake up and start working towards your goal.

Watch for Budget Leaks ~ Words of Wisdom

Little expenses can ruin savings goals.  Getting in the habit of spending earnings on snacks, hobbies, entertainment, collections or any passion or desire we have can drain a budget and stop any effort at savings.  The only way to reach savings goals for the future is to deny ourselves something today.

I borrowed a book from the library years ago called The Millionaire Next Door.  I remember the author shared how stopping for a $5 fancy cup of coffee each morning verses drinking the free coffee at work or carrying your own from home, would make tens of thousands of dollars of difference in a retirement account.  Just simple savings without interest would come to $1250 a year (5 days x $5 x 50 weeks).  In just ten years

Inch by Inch ~ Words of Wisdom

One of my favorite sayings is "By the inch it's a cinch, by the yard it is hard."  It has helped me thru many a goal as it reminds me to break it down into manageable steps and it will be much easier.

I have also found it true when it comes to earning and saving money.  Two personal experiences are earning extra cash thru Swagbucks and paying off our home mortgage early.

Earning a Little Extra Cash Inch by Inch

Swagbucks is an online earning site that rewards members points called SB for different activities.  By the hour it is a horrible income, but by spending some spare time and working on it while I do other things (like typing this post, folding laundry, working in the kitchen, eating meals) It's a Cinch to earn $25 to $50 extra dollars each

A Penny Earned ~ Words of Wisdom

The saying "A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned" is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, but earlier versions are recorded.  Regardless of who first "coined" the thought, it is sound wisdom.  The best way to have more cash is to not spend all that you earn.

A simple and painless way to start saving is by throwing all of the change you receive in a jar.  When it is full put it into a savings account.  When it adds up to enough, invest it in a higher interest earning account.  You'll be surprised how quickly it grows and you'll have savings for a rainy day, a safety net for emergencies or an addition to your retirement account. Tip:  to help it grow even faster, the day you take it to