MORE MONTH THAN MONEY

My budget loves February because it is a short month! Those longer months can be a struggle when you end up having too much month left at the end of the money. But the good news is you don’t have to stay seated on this struggle bus each month. You can build margin with your money! 

1 -Make a budget.
If you don’t have a plan for your money, you need one now. Having a budget doesn’t limit your money, it helps you make the most of your money. This monthly plan helps you decide ahead of time where you will put every dollar to work. Knowing where your money is going helps you spend less and save more.  

2 - Build an emergency fund.
An emergency fund is money you put back to cover any of life’s unexpected expenses. We all know life is going to happen… a car breaks down, a kid needs to go to the doctor, or your job cuts your hours. This emergency fund helps you handle the surprises life throws your way. 

If you are working to pay off debt, we recommend a $1,000 starter emergency fund.
If you are debt free, we recommend having 3-6 months of expenses in your emergency fund.

Your grandmother probably called her emergency fund a rainy day fund, and with good reason! It’s going to rain. And sometimes, it’ll flood. With an emergency fund, you’ll be ready. 

3 - Cut out unnecessary expenses.
Having a plan helps you determine your wants vs. your needs. Getting your morning coffee in the drive-thru may seem like a need, but there is a cheaper way to start your morning off right. Having Netflix may be convenient, but there are moves you can check out of your local library for free. 

I know going to games and watching movies and eating out is good and fun to do, but they’re not necessary. Get rid of those unnecessary subscriptions. Amanda and I just cut a bunch of our unnecessary expenses last month and saved ourselves over $800 for the year!

These are 3 ways to have more money than month. Contact me to get more help on reaching your financial goals. 

SUPER SAVINGS!

There are 3 reasons why you should save money:

1) For Emergencies. 

(Because we all have that friend named Murphy.) 

2) For Purchases. 

(Because we all like to eat and drive places.) 

3) For Retirement. 

(Because we all want to stop working at some point.) 

Purchases and retirement are fun! But we cannot do any of that until we cover the basics. This is why you need an emergency fund - savings that you never use except in an emergency. 

(And going to Taco Bell is not an emergency... most of the time. It's usually after eating at Taco Bell that you have an emergency. But that's a totally different discussion.) 

If you would like to save more money, here are some ways you can be a SUPER SAVER… 

1 - Set up automatic savings through your bank.
Have whatever amount you can afford transferred automatically to your savings account. Out of sight, out of mind. 

2 - Pay yourself first.
Pretend your savings is a monthly bill with the same importance as your mortgage. Make that “payment” to yourself no matter what.

3 - Stop giving Uncle Sam an interest free loan every year.
I know we love to get that tax refund check, but if you would withhold less on your taxes, you can put the difference in your savings.

4 - Put half of any pay raise in the bank.
You won’t miss that amount because your paycheck will still increase. Score! 

I saw a report that said 1 in 5 Americans have no retirement savings. Please DO NOT be one of them. I love being able to help my friends set and meet their savings goals. I believe with God’s guidance and wisdom, we can all be SUPER SAVERS!  

“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”

(Proverbs 21:20 NIV)