Welcome back from your holiday break. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves, spent quality time with friends and family, and are looking forward to 2016.
Some of us may have indulged a little too much, in food, drink and shopping but boy was it fun! Is your philosophy on money "Play now and pay later" or "Pay now and play later'?
This year our family tried something new. Rather than shopping for presents as we have traditionally done, we challenged one another to make gifts, buy used, or share experiences. I was so impressed with the ideas that the younger generation came up with. (By younger, I mean the twenty somethings). It was so much fun, far less stressful and we didn't blow our budgets as so many do at this time of year. Overspending really takes the fun out of giving when those credit card bills arrive in January. That is why I am starting the year off with a blog focused on finances. What a great time to commit to curbing our spending. Let's be honest, don't most of us have too much 'stuff' already? We may not make as much money as we'd like but we can all keep more of what we do make. Even those who make a lot of money can end up in debt as their lifestyle surpasses their income and savings. Beware of those little expenses that accumulate over time like the daily lattés and lunches out. I came across an interesting blog on The Daily Worth, a website whose goal is "to help all women see money not as a source of stress and anxiety, but as one of freedom and empowerment." Check out their recent blog Here are seven common ways people habitually mishandle money — and how to stop them. If you can get past the ads, the information is good, especially the part on credit card debt.
As Suzie Orman says "Live within your means, not within your dreams."
Let's start 2016 off on the right foot and stay on track all year!
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous 2016,
Cathie