My statement to my husband was that our nation is constantly complaining about the amount of debt that WE have accrued, but nobody seems to be doing anything about it.

Yes, we sit around and talk budgets until we’re blue in the face but is anybody really sticking to one?  The key with a budget is that you have to actually abide by what the paper says.

When are we going to change?  When are we going to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?

Well, even if our nation never changes…guess what?  You can!

The key is that you have to change your lifestyle.  You can’t just keep living the way that you are because of comfort of normalcy.  Yes, it is going to be uncomfortable for a few months.  Yes, there may be a little turmoil in your house.  But it is so worth it!

We have to start doing what’s right, not just what has been done in the past.  Quit listening to people that tell you to live your life a certain way.  I can tell you that we have branched off and done our own thing and we’re starting to see some big pay-offs.

So, get out there and start living your life today.  Maybe you don’t have 44 million dollars to work with, but do with what you have.  It doesn’t matter how much money you bring home.  What matters is what you do with that money once it hits your bank account.

Changing your spending habits will cause you to change for the better.  You can be strong enough to say to people “I would love to go out, but simply can’t afford it.”  That takes a whole lot more strength and courage than just doing what everybody else is doing – who by the way probably can’t afford it either.

Learn a lesson from this big, expensive inauguration tonight.  Do more with your money than spend it all in one night.  Invest your money.  Put more into your 401 K.  Match what your company is giving you.

All of this would be way more beneficial than spending millions of dollars to enjoy one night of luxury.

Where do you think these millions would be better vested that will be spent at the Inauguration?

Here is a list I made of things that might help you to get on the path to financial freedom starting now.  Don’t wait!  The more you procrastinate the less likely you are going to ever change your habits.  Feel free to add to my list by leaving a comment below.

• Start Small

Becoming Debt-Free in ’13 doesn’t have to start off with anything big.   Maybe this month you set aside a little money.  Maybe next month you set aside a little more.

You have to remember that your situation is unique.   Your story is not like mine or anybody else on this planet.  It’s your story.  Start out small but in the end know that you’re doing something BIG.

I am sitting down with a friend in two days just to go over a budget.  Seems like a small feat, but it was a HUGE blessing in our life.  The first month we budgeted, we were able to find $1K extra floating around in our paychecks.

What about you?  Where could you start right now to help yourself become debt-free this year?

• Goal:  Save $1,000 immediately!

I know this sounds IMPOSSIBLE, especially when you are living paycheck to paycheck.  Trust me on this one when I say that if you don’t have this money saved when you’re trying to get out of debt that it will be a choice you may regret.

Every year we teach Financial Peace, it never fails that someone’s vehicle breaks down.  Sometimes people come to us with multiple problems all while they’re taking the course and trying to work their way out of debt.  You can call it what you want, but I always say that Satan is on the attack!

He doesn’t want us doing something to better ourselves.  He wants us to stay miserable because that’s what he enjoys the most.  So, quickly save your $1,000 before you begin your debt-free journey.

Need some ideas of how to get money quickly?  Read here….

• Absolutely NO excuses

Don’t keep saying “I can’t get started because….” or “I think I need to wait until another time because…”

Stop making excuses for your poor behavior.  Own up to what you have done and face the facts.  Once you can take an honest look at your situation (which is one of the hardest things to do) then you can say “Look, I’ve made these mistakes and now I need to fix it.”

And yes, YOU, need to fix the problem.  It’s not the government’s fault that you are in debt.  You can’t blame it on your parents.  It’s all you.  The great thing is that now YOU can be the one to make things right.  So, stop making excuses and change your spending habits – TODAY!

• Stay Focused

This seems to be a hard thing to do in our society.  Set your goals and then focus on them.  Don’t let things keep you from meeting your goals.  If you are married, then ask your spouse to be your accountability partner.  If you are single, then search out on your own to find an accountability partner.

An accountability partner will help you to focus on what’s important.  They will remind you that you don’t have the money to eat out or that you really don’t need to spend lots of money on a elaborate shopping trip.

Keep the goal in mind and hone in on that goal until you’ve accomplished it!

I really don’t make New Year’s Resolutions for that very reason.

Instead of doing something that I know I won’t keep up with, I have decided to set goals.  The first goal on our list is to save an emergency fund of at least $10,000.

We currently have nothing left in savings, so we’re pretty much starting at Square 1.  I am okay with this because we have been at this place often.

I don’t let those things get me down or discouraged.  We had hoped to start saving this money last year but instead purchased a USED car, paid for a root canal, paid to have rocks taken out of my son’s nose, and the list goes on and on.

I could sit and mope about the fact that we’re a year late on meeting this goal, but I’m not.  I know that God had a reason and a purpose for everything that happened last year and I was just thankful to have the cash to pay for it all.

So, I can’t wait to get started on our new GOAL.  Especially when I just found out that 2 department heads at my husband’s job were just laid off.  Is it coincidental that God has laid this on our hearts to save money and that I just took a full-time teaching job?  I think not!

What goals are you trying to achieve this year in 2013?  Let this be the year of change!

If you missed out on your free copy, it’s okay.  You can still purchase your very own copy by clicking here. If you would like to save $5, then buy the Kindle edition.  In either form, it’s still an awesome book!

Here’s a description of the book written by Jen McDonough:

Want a real and relevant personal finance book? Living Beyond Rich is your ticket.

Personal finance issues have become an epidemic in our society.

Facts:
* 7 out of 10 Americans today are living paycheck to paycheck.
* Money issues are the number one cause of divorce.
* Our world as a whole is sinking deeper into debt by the day.

Our neighbors, family, and friends around the world are living with pain, fear, & stress over money issues. We once were too, however, our family was able to transform our situation & turn our worst days into our best days.

Our story has gained world-wide media attention and it is one that we love to share. It has given countless of people just like YOU hope & inspiration.

Is this book ONLY for people that are already good at keeping track of personal finances NO!

Living Beyond Rich is for the everyday person next door who thinks winning the lottery is the only way they can become rich. It’s for the person who:
* Is just plain worn out when it comes to dealing with their finances.
* Struggles with separating their self worth from their negative net worth and/or;
* Doesn’t think they can do a budget.

I am an ordinary person who can show you how to live an extraordinary life when it comes to gaining control over your personal finances.

I have already read over half the book and have a hard time putting it down.  Jen’s story is just so real.  It shows that there truly is hope no matter your financial situation!

So, get your copy today.  I can’t think of a better way to spend your Christmas cash!

I received a copy of the book entitled “Reflections” written by Debra Irene.  While reading this book it really made me think of all the people that left a mark in my life.

I especially think about these people around the holidays.  It’s fun to reflect on the good times and sometimes the heart-breaking times in life.

Debra’s book hits on all of the above.

Here’s an excerpt from Debra’s book:

Life is full of choices -

choices that determine our path.  Sometimes we know when we are at a defining moment, a crossroad, and the choice we make will change or set our course.  Much of our life, however, is simply “staying the course” through the good times and the not-so-good times.  If we take time to reflect, we grow to appreciate the individuals who influenced our life when we needed to change and the ones who were there when we were simply living out our life.  In the midst of these times, did we notice a higher power at work as well?

So grab a cup of coffee or a glass of tea; sit by the fire, on a park bench, or in your favorite chair; and reflect with the storyteller as she introduces you to family, friends, and faith.  She will draw you into these true tales throughout her journey marked with laughter and tears.

- Debra Irene, “Reflections”

If you would like to win your very own autographed copy of “Reflections” please leave a comment below telling me what you reflect on during this holiday season.  Maybe you have a special memory or a tradition that you remember every year.  I will choose a winner by December 31st.  

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Presents, gift cards, money, etc.  None of that compares to the joy of knowing that a Savior came to give us eternal life.  Remember that this is all that matters this holiday season.  Nothing compares to the love that Jesus Christ showed us the day that He arrived lying in a manger.

When my husband and I sat down the other night to watch the Heisman presentation I liked what Johnny said at the end of his speech.

He thanked his team.  I love that.  I love a person that is still humble enough to remember that he didn’t get there on his own.  It took his team helping him and preparing him to achieve his goal.  One of the coaches even said that his team will be sure to remind Johnny not to let all of this go to his head.  Ha!

Teamwork is always the key.  I think the same can be applied in almost any situation in life.  I am finding the same is true through financial coaching.

People are not coming to me looking for a buddy to help them spend money.  They are coming to me for help.  They are needing an accountability partner.

They’ve had too many people overlook their situation or not know about their secret life.  Maybe too many people are just being “nice” by not telling the truth – which is not really nice at all.  What they need someone to say is, “You’re in debt up to your eyeballs!  You need help!”

That’s what I love about my job.  I don’t do all the work.  My client doesn’t do all the work.  We work TOGETHER.  That’s the only way we can get the work done.

I come up with the ideas and watch them run with it.  They can bounce questions off me and I will give them an honest answer of what I like or don’t like about their upcoming decision.  But in the end, it’s still their decision.

I can also be a mediator when it comes to couples.  Since I don’t know you, or your spouse, it makes it very easy for me to not pick sides.  This is the way I like it.  I like for all of us to be on the same page, working together to get out of debt as quickly as possible.

So, what about you?  Are you ready to be on the winning team?  If so, then I would love to hear from you.  You can contact me through email or call me at 979-776-5170.  Don’t let your debt tackle you this holiday season!

Unsure if you need a financial coach?  Click here to take a quiz to see where you’re at financially.

Why not start now with setting your financial goals and deciding where you want to be when the New Year gets here.

My thought is that if you do it now then you have something to work towards once 2013 hits.

One of my goals is to focus more time on my business.  I also want to get mind off money.  Yes, you just heard a financial coach say that she wants to stop focusing so much of her time on money.  HA!

I want to remember what’s most important in my life.  Through this time of resigning my teaching position and starting the path towards financial coaching, I feel like I have left God somewhere behind.  I hate that when I get complacent and stop relying on Him.  I think that I have everything under control and don’t feel like I need Him around all the time.

That is so not true!  I want to get back into studying my Bible and joining a Ladies Bible Study.  I also want to plan for time during the day just to talk to Him without any interruptions.

Another change I want to make for the New Year is to make every minute matter with my children.  This was the theme of the district that I just resigned from and it really struck home with me.  Sometimes as teachers we spend so much time with other children that our own children are the ones to suffer.

One reason I resigned was to make this change, but I want to make sure that I don’t put the almighty dollar in front of time spent with my children.  I see too many parents work too hard and then at the end of their day they don’t have anything left to give their children.  I was one of those parents just a few months ago.  Now I feel like I am happier and enjoy my children more since I have started making my job work around my life!

Another change that I want to make is to not put so much focus on money.  We have the hope that our house will be paid off in 6 years since we just refinanced at a 2.75% interest rate.  For some reason, my mind keeps telling me “that’s not good enough”.  I want it paid off faster – like in 2 years.

I have to remember that the timing is just not right.  We are still paying for a child to be in daycare.  I know that once he starts school, that amount will go towards the house and we will be saving so much more with 2 kids in public school.  “So, Lord, please help me remember this.  We are stewards of Your money.  It’s not our money to decide where and how we spend it.”  That’s a prayer that I have to often pray to remind me of who’s in control.

So, what changes are you going to make this holiday season?  I would love to hear what you have to say…

Well, when preparing my thoughts on this blog I woke up this morning to read an excerpt out of “Our Daily Bread – Christmas Edition”.  What I read was actually what I wanted to say.  Here’s what David McCasland had to say on Week One, Monday.

“Michelle Singletary and her husband decided to reduce their Christmas spending.  They made some presents themselves and thought of creative ways to give their time and services to others.

In her newspaper column on personal finance, Michelle summarized her purpose in taking a hard look at her spending:  “Building and maintaining relationships – what really matters over the holidays and throughout the year – are priorities that shouldn’t get crowded out by our conspicuous consumption.”

Deciding to spend less money at Christmas is a personal choice.  But if relationships are high on our list of priorities, we could resolve to give more by giving ourselves away.  Isaiah described the kind of spiritual sacrifice that pleases God as one of serving others.  “If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday” (Isa. 58:10).

Jesus our Savior, whose birth we celebrate, said of Himself, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

As we observe Christmas this year, let’s give more by giving ourselves away.”  – David McCasland

Is your holiday spending out of control?  How could you give more of yourself this year and invest in your relationships?

Obviously, this woman knows absolutely nothing about reading price tags!  She talks about things like wanting a yacht, convertible, decorations bought from Tiffany’s.  OUCH!

I hope that Santa is planning on using coupons.  I don’t see how he could afford her presents without them!

It makes me wonder if he’s going to take away presents from the rest of us just to afford her Christmas list.

I also ponder the thought of Santa bargaining.  Do you think he bought the convertible at full-price or did he tell the car salesman “Sorry, sir…That’s not good enough!”.

When we have taught Financial Peace in the past, Dave Ramsey had an entire video entitled “That’s Not Good Enough” to explain that you don’t have to just buy things at their retail value.  He also talks about the power of using cash. 

I actually had a friend share with me about how she and her husband started walking out of a furniture store because they did not have enough cash in hand for what they were wanting.  The salesman called them back and pretty much begged them to come back inside.  He then somehow magically lowered the price to fit within their budget.

Hallelujah!  It was a miracle.  Not really.  Things like this happen all the time – you just have to be fearless and not afraid to ask:)

So, amongst all my rambling…did you figure out the song?  We’ll see who gets it right, Baby!