The 2014 Money Saving Challenge

 MONEY - SAVING - CHALLENGE!
  How long does it take to form or change a habit?  I have no idea - I just wish that there was a magic wand or potion that could make me instantly develop good habits.  I would drink a language cocktail so that I could speak Spanish fluently, and a double exercise cocktail so that I could have a beautiful flat stomach. 

  Since there are no magic potions it will be necessary for us to take a leap of faith and depend on ourselves.  I need volunteers to participate in the challenge (I am looking for my Miller Homes family from New Jersey to participate!) 

     If you are interested in forming a habit of saving money - then take the challenge.  Leave a message in the comment section.  If we share DNA I am also looking for you to take the savings challenge.  If we are of the same gender "ladies" then I am looking for you to take the challenge. I am calling all men - I challenge you to take the savings challenge.       

     What will we have to show for our lives if we never keep a portion of what we earn?   Are you content with the state of your finances?  Do you have money set aside for emergencies?  Have you started saving for retirement?  How about the children that you love - have you started a college fund?

   We are never too young or too old to get started.  No amount is too small.  At the end of each day I need EVERYONE - this means YOU! - to start cleaning out your pockets, handbags, purses, book bags, and find all your loose change.  Did you know that if you save an average of $1.37 a day at the end of the year you will have $500.00? 

     I need EVERYONE - YES YOU - AND YOUR KIDS -AND YOUR SISTERS - AND YOUR BROTHERS - AND YOUR BFF - to find a mason jar, a box, a bag, or a bank and start saving your loose change.  We have the remainder of 2014 to develop the habit of saving a portion of what we

earn. 

MONEY-MONEY-MONEY-MONEY-MONEY-MONEY-MONEY-MONEY

  

THE FUTURE IS COMING - IT WILL REQUIRE MONEY TO LIVE IN IT!



The Hand that Rocks the Cradle...

 

William Ross Wallace wrote: “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world….” This is a powerful statement and a very powerful position to hold.  This statement is much deeper and more important than the poem that Mr. Wallace wrote.  Imagine for a moment that we take this statement to heart just when it comes to the financial education of our children: the children that we rock, guide, and watch over!

 These 13 words should be read slowly and allowed to be absorbed into our souls and minds.   Take a moment and close your eyes -- and realize that you have the power not only to create financially smart children, but future generations by empowering your children to pass down better habits and financial information.  “The Hand that rocks the cradle – is the hand that rules the world…”  Do you want to raise children that will spend a life time living with debt or children who understand the power of their financial choices?  Children who are raised with the understanding that their income level is not as important as the financial choices that they make - will make wiser choices. 

Most women are raised to view money as a way to create a better lifestyle for themselves and their family.  We tend to spend money on items that will enhance our day-to-day living with little thought for the future.  I spent a few weeks recently hanging out at different stores watching the spending habits of men and women.  What I witnessed was that women spent hundreds of dollars on items that will have little or no value in the future.  Women were buying items such as: designer/non-designer clothes, knick- knacks, toys, shoes, pictures, items to decorate the home, comforters, pillows, cute mugs, pretty drinking glasses, candles, perfumed soaps, gifts for baby showers, gifts for birthdays, gifts for teachers, wrapping paper, gift bags, or just shopping therapy!

     It is time for us to take our roles seriously and break the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle and consumerism mentality.  To break the cycle someone must be willingly to do the work, are you?