Saving animals and establishing humane laws takes money.  Therefore, I’m dedicating every Friday to Fiscal Fitness.

Have you been living like Scrooge lately?  Holding on a bit too tight to what you have been blessed with?  Many times I see people in dire financial straits I see a habit of hoarding.  If you don’t have money coming in, maybe it is because you have been trying to hold on to what you have too hard.If you learn to open your heart, mind and pocket book, you will find that money, like all matter is dynamic. 

If you hold on to what you have because you are afraid nothing else will come your way, you are outside of faithful living.  I realize it is very hard when you don’t have much money to give some away, but at the same time, if you don’t shift your fear based hoarding, you will continue to block energy. 

Take a moment right now and pray.  Ask God what you should give and to whom or what.  Then trust that divine guidance. 

The sad truth is that there is enough abundance in the universe to feed, house, cloth and educate everyone on the planet.  It is only distribution and greed that get in the wayKate’s book, “Anyone Can Make a Million Investing in Real Estate” has many more practical tips on ways to save money and increase earnings.  $10 will buy either an ebook or a paperback copy (while supplies last).  Click here.

Saving animals and establishing humane laws takes money.  Therefore, I’m dedicating every Friday to Fiscal Fitness.

Clutter is often a sign of hoarding and a fear of letting go.  If we hold on to things from our past that we no longer enjoy we are blocking energy to create our new improved selves.  Since dealing with clutter can be physically and emotionally draining you may want to consider the following:Start small.  Set up a routine time each week to tackle clutter.  For example, you may want to set aside 7-8pm Tuesday night. 

Start with your smallest closet.  Remove everything and place back in it only the things you love and use.  Put the other stuff in a box to give away or take to a consignment shop.  (I never recommend having yard sales for two reasons.  First, your keeping your stuff in the house for that someday that may never come.  Then you have to deal with all that crap again.  It is too much work physically and emotionally.)

Hire professional help.  Having someone with you to guide you through the process can be extremely helpful.  They will keep you on track, help you through your emotions and may provide physical assistance or necessary referrals.Once you have cleared a space, you may be shocked to see all the new and good energy that is waiting to enter your life. 

Kate’s book, “Anyone Can Make a Million Investing in Real Estate” has many more practical tips on ways to save money and increase earnings.  $10 will buy either an ebook or a paperback copy (while supplies last).  Click here.

Saving animals and establishing humane laws takes money.  Therefore, I’m dedicating every Friday to Fiscal Fitness.Housing is one of the largest investments for most people. 

Per multi-financial reports, your housing costs should be 30% or less of your income.  This applies whether you rent or own your house.  A person who makes $40,000 should spend no more than approximately $12,000 or $1000 a month on housing.  And, it should include your taxes and insurance.  Sometimes, it’s impossible to find safe, clean housing that meets our budgets because we are living in places that are expensive. 

A few options to consider:

1.       Can you move into a smaller, less expensive place?

2.       Is there another part of town that is close to your work and still enjoyable but a little less expensive?

3.       Can you share housing?

4.       Is there anywhere else in the US you would like to live where either your housing cost will be less (and your income would be the same) or where your housing cost is similar but you will earn more money?

5.       Instead of buying your “dream house” can you buy a livable fixer upper or a duplex where your tenants rent will greatly reduce your mortgage payments.

Kate’s book, “Anyone Can Make a Million Investing in Real Estate” has many more practical tips on ways to save money and increase earnings.  $10 will buy either an ebook or a paperback copy (while supplies last).  Click Here. 

Saving animals and establishing humane laws takes money.  Therefore, I’m dedicating every Friday to Fiscal Fitness.

Many articles coach people how to save money making the assumption that everyone has a good income.  There are many bright, creative, hardworking individuals who make close to minimum wage.  This is not caused by a recession but rather a lack of planning and the ability to implement a good plan.  Your economic needs will vary depending on housing cost in your area but if you make less than $40,000 a year you may want to ask yourself some hard questions. 

1.       Look for ways to make passive income.  Passive income is any money earned through little effort.  I call it sleeping money.  If you invest in the stock market and your portfolio increases, that’s passive income.  If you automate a website to sell products that’s passive income.  If you invest in real estate and spend little to no time managing it, that’s passive income.  Passive income is the only way to substantial wealth.  The good news though, is you can start generating passive income with very little cash.  Consider investing as little as $50/month in a no load mutual fund.

2.       Can I make money following my passion?  If not, what’s the next best thing that will provide substantial income for me?  If you can make a living following your passion, hire a marketing coach so you can increase your earnings.

3.       If you are employed, and you like your job, ask your supervisor what you could do to increase your earnings. 

4.       If you like your full time job but just run short now and then, consider taking on some freelance work or a part-time job.

5.       If you like your work and you can start your own business give it some serious thought.  For example, one massage therapist I knew began her own business.  She was great at marketing and within the first year had enough work to hire a second therapist.  Another massage therapist I knew left to start her own business.  She was a great therapist but hated marketing.  The last time I saw her she was busy work several part time jobs.  She would have been better off staying where she was and increasing her client base.  Kate’s book, “Anyone Can Make a Million Investing in Real Estate” has many more practical tips on ways to save money and increase earnings.  $10 will buy either an ebook or a paperback copy (while supplies last).  Click here.

Saving animals and establishing humane laws takes money.  Therefore, I’m dedicating every Friday to Fiscal Fitness.

Today in an instant everything world I can hear you gasping for breath as I make this suggestion.  However, people who use cash often spend less money than someone who uses a debit or credit card.  Personally, I like to have all income automatically deposted and then once a week I pay myself an allowance.  My allowance covers gas for my car, groceries, pet food, beauty supplies or treatments, meals and beverages out, entertainment and clothing fund.  By allowing myself a certain amount of money each week, I can know easily that I’m staying within a reasonable spending plan.  When I run out of cash I make do until my next allowance.Using this strategy, I also plan splurges like a larger allowance around the Christmas holiday, when I travel, or when I have a surplus and really want something. 

If you are uncomfortable caring cash, you can get travelers checks.  Kate’s book, “Anyone Can Make a Million Investing in Real Estate” has many more practical tips on ways to save money and increase earnings.  $10 will buy either an ebook or a paperback copy (while supplies last).  Click Here. 

Saving animals and establishing humane laws takes money.  Therefore, I’m dedicating every Friday to Fiscal Fitness.Many smart people I know have all their money deposited into their savings account and then once a month they move the amount of money needed for the month into their checking account to pay bills and pay themselves an allowance.  This optimizes interest earnings on savings and encourages saving.  If you leave all overages in your savings account you might build up a nice nest egg.

Kate’s book, “Anyone Can Make a Million Investing in Real Estate” has many more practical tips on ways to save money and increase earnings.  $10 will buy either an ebook or a paperback copy (while supplies last).  Click here.

Saving animals and establishing humane laws takes money.  Therefore, I’m dedicating every Friday to Fiscal Fitness. “Oh my God, where did my money go!”  If you find yourself thinking or saying this, there are two possibilities.  One is that you are compulsively spending money on junk you don’t need.  The other possibility is that you may not be monitoring how much things really cost.  An easy way to monitor this situation is to have a small notepad with you at all times.  Every time you spend any money (even if it’s a penny) you write it down.  At the end of the week tally up your categories, i.e. meals out, gas, coffee, etc.)  You may be shocked to see how much money your spending on little items like coffee and gum.  Track your spending this way for a couple of months.  Reassess what you are spending money on.  Is this the best use of your earnings?Kate’s book, “Anyone Can Make a Million Investing in Real Estate” has many more practical tips on ways to save money and increase earnings.  $10 will buy either an ebook or a paperback copy (while supplies last).  Click here.

Saving animals and establishing humane laws takes money.  Therefore, I’m dedicating every Friday to Fiscal Fitness.Many people in our culture avoid their feelings.  Frivolus spending which can lead to compulsive spending is one of the most acceptable addictions.  Feel bad because your alone, buy some shoes, just broke up, buy a sweater, work stinks, buy a bunch of books or music.  If you feel powerless to stop spending money compulsively get some professional help.  Whether you use food, alcohol, drugs or compulsive spending, addictions and compulsive habits never get better unless you can get help.  Knowing what causing compulsive spending is not enough to make it stop.  You will need to find or create new skills to help you deal with the anxiety or fear that caused you to hurt yourself with reckless spending.

Kate’s book, “Anyone Can Make a Million Investing in Real Estate” has many more practical tips on ways to save money and increase earnings.  $10 will buy either an ebook or a paperback copy (while supplies last).  Click here.

Many of you know I share my heart and home with a rescued Pit Bull named Sabrina.  She is incredible powerful and can easily drag me if I walk her with the wrong equipment.  I’m very fond of dog harnesses for powerful dogs.  If you have a strong dog and use a regular collar, you can damage your dog’s spine by pulling on it’s neck. 

When I walk my dog on her harness, I place her on my left, loop the leash behind my back and rear-end and use my right hand to make corrections.  This allows maximum leverage, keeps my dog next to my leg (if dogs routinely walk in front of you it’s a sign that they think their dominant) and it keeps her safe and she understands exactly where her place is.

Your choice of pet leash should match the power and type of pet you have.  Dog lovers need a leash that is strong enough so that it cannot be broken.  However, you never want a leash that weighs your pet down.  If you have a cat, feret or small (non-terrier) dog, a lightweight web or nylon leash is great.  If your dog is strong, you can still rely on a web leash but it needs to be wider.

I like to use a 30 foot horse lead line with my pit bull when I’m walking near the lake or by fields.  The horse lead line is strong enough that I can always maintain control of my pet while allowing here plenty of space to run, swim and explore.  Obviously, if I’m walking in a city park, street or state park I use a regular 6′ web leash.  I like web leashes because they are relatively inexpensive, work well in rain and snow and remain strong.  The one downfall is if your dog bites the leash, it will quickly loose strength. 

What’s your favorite type of leash?