So, Life… Is What Happens!

We may have hindered our changes to win the $10,000 WeLiveFIT! Challenge because of our two trips to New York this year….but I would happily give up the $10,000 to have me sister with us longer. I have learned throughout this competition that your financial goals must be adjusted to accommodate life’s demands. I’ve have always ruled my life within an organized matter and I become very unhappy when someone or something “moves my cheese”…yet this year I have learned to deal with the punches and make some adjustments without feeling a sense of dread and that’s a great feeling. So, life is what happens every day…your car breakdown, plumping problems, kids get sick, etc. So, now this! My mother is totally strapped for money since my sister has become ill; she is 70 years old and is still working to support my sister and her two young daughters. She had to hire a lawyer to ensure my sister would get her Social Security Disability benefit, Last Will and Testament together, and finally her home taxes doubled this year. This Christmas was an eye-opener on how bad it is for her; so, I wasn’t planning on buying gifts this year but felt like I had to make things better. Now, I will have to adjust my budget to include a monthly stipend for my mother and I’m okay with that…last year, I would have been a total mess…yet, now I know things will continue to change and I will have to make modifications…and that’s okay!

Pretty rocky start to our Holidays…we almost lost my sister on Christmas Eve. She was rushed to the hospital within minutes of her life. So, we have spent the major of our time visiting with her and she is doing much better today; I’m hopeful; yet I know her time is limited. So, not much going on here except family bonding time…the original plans was that we would all go visit my brother in Pennsylvania and bring in the New Year together but even if they let her out of the hospital; I don’t believe she will be up to the trip. Yet, when I reflect over the past year I am grateful for several things: God, my family, friends, my great job, yet what I will remember the most about 2009 is the WeLiveFit Challenge and how it changed my life for the better…

Tips for starting the New Year! Did you know that every Monday on ABC Channel 27 News features Florida Commerce Credit Union CEO Cecilia Homison; Tallahassee very own financial guru. Cecilia gives you the best financial information and advice that will help you regardless of your financial situation. If you want to know or have questions about buying a new car, FICO score, tracking your budget online/downloading, teens saving, IRA’s, starting a new business, student loans, buying a home, tax credit, online resources for all subjects and several other tips. If you missed any episodes you can recap by going on the ABC Channel 27 News, www.wtxl.tv and clicking on the Learn More about Financial Fitness. So, if you are serious about making a change in you life and ready to commit to your financial freedom…follow my guidance. Good Luck!

PS Thanks Cecilia and Channel 27 for sharing your knowledge with the Tallahassee Community.

Accomplishing my 2009 Goals!

I’m very proud of what we have accomplished this year and look forward to next year with a better understanding on how to manage my finances. I can’t image going back to my old life…worrying about my bills…I have a plan and I will be sticking to it…and in 4 years; debt free. So, what were my 2009 Goals for the WeLiveFIT! Challenge; well they were the following:

1st To develop a budget plan that will teach me how to make the right decisions regarding my finances; now, tomorrow, and the years that follow…DONE…and will continue!

2nd Within four years, I need to be able to qualify for at least a parent plus loan; if needed, to guarantee funding is available for my son’s college expenses…Credit Score…Great shouldn’t have a problem!

3rd Within five years, I plan to reduce my debt by a third, save at least 5% every year, have a emergency fund without dipping into my savings and have a plan in place that would allow me to retire within fifteen years…If I continue at this rate I will be out of debt before 5 years!

4th Bare minimum, I have to ensure that I’m able to learning to live within my means; stop impulsive spending and lead by example for my son… DONE…and will continue!

How much money should you spend on your pet? I have never given it much thought…I do the basics…my dog has more than most; a doggie Health & Dental plan with Banfield $29.95 monthly, nutritious dog food $10 monthly and he gets to roam the entire house. Yet, my monthly budget spreadsheet was incomplete. I did not allocate incidental expenses for my dog? In the future, I will have to reassess budgeting for our dog Baxter and I highly suggest you do the same if you have a pet. I love our dog Baxter and he is part of our family… we have to take care of him. As your pet gets older they will become prone to diseases and/or unbreakable bad habits…like our beloved pet Baxter. Baxter is so greedy and would prefer to eat human food than his very expensive and nutritious dog food…costing me on average an additional $250 a year on his Veterinarian treatments. During Thanksgiving break Baxter was determine to eat some turkey and found his way into my BFF home’s compost and became extremely sick…basically dog food poisoning. So, if I didn’t have the Banfield plan it would have cost $647 instead of $250 and I would have paid it!

OMG…9 months…what a difference in my life...

I feel great! I had to deal with a major crisis and I didn’t have an anxiety attack over it! Best way to describe it is to recall the 1st time you switched from whole milk to 2% milk, or when you gave up caffeinated drinks for non-caffeinated drinks. At first, you don’t believe you will make it through the day without it but after a few months you don’t think about it anymore…well that how I feel about becoming financially fit. Nine months ago, if you told me my car alternator needed to be repaired or else, I would have been a basket case. I would have checked every credit card I had to see how much was available to charge and would have been up all night. Today, yes I was concerned and I had to miss some important events but I didn’t lose sleep about it. Why? Because today I have an emergency saving account…and didn’t have to charge anything…VICTORY DANCE.

Why Not Share The Wealth!
Throughout the WeLiveFIT! Challenge I hope you have learned from the knowledge I have gained and shared from my real-life lessons in become financially responsibility. Now, I would never ask you to do anything I would not or have not done. Thus, I would like to challenge you to take the Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan Pledge. It has become a way of life for me; I don’t even think about anymore…so, if you are serious about become financial fit try it! Within a month’s time try doing the following:
• Do not spend money for one day
• Do not use your credit card for one week
• Do not eat out at a restaurant for one month (No Fast-Food)
You may be surprised of the outcome…I was…and now, I’m closer to financial freedom!

I try really hard to keep abreast of today’s financial market but like most working single parents I can’t do it all and it is such a depressing topic that it’s always at the end of my to-do-list. Nevertheless, I do what I can… I have been a Suze Orman fan for some time now; I always thought I needed some major cash flow to live in SUZE’S World but her newest book the Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan has changed my opinion forever. It is a practical book full of great tip on how to responsible deal with today’s financial reality. She gives you a brief history of what happened in 2008 and gives you several action plans to safeguard your money in the future. The book includes action plans to deal with credit cards, retirement investing, saving, real estate, paying for college, spending and hints on keeping steady pace in the financial market. I borrowed both the book and the CD for the library; I pop in the CD in while I’m driving and I use the book as a reference guide.

Holiday Travel…

Why is it that just before it's time to travel for the holidays, gas price go up? I'm already feeling the stress of trying to cut back on my holiday spending. I've decided not to go to Orlando this year for Thanksgiving but instead I will go to my BFF home in Chiefland and save some money. I'm hoping I will save on gas and I wouldn't have the desire to shop there on Black Friday...I hope. However, I need to go to New York for Christmas; no question about that! Yet, I realize that I don't have to spend $2,000 on gifts but just being there with my family is what really matters. I once believed that having money would make my life easier but it donesn't matter how much money you have if you mishandle or abuse it...and that's what I was doing for years. This month will be the first time that I will have a cushion in my checking account that is not a Tax Return and it feels great! Usually, the funds are gone within a week; this year I have no desire to part with it so carelessly. Thanks…Florida Commerce Credit Union for showing me that I could do it!

Personal Accomplishment!

Last Saturday, I participated in the American Heart Association (AHA) annual Start Heart Walk at Tom Brown Park. It’s been two years since my knee operation and about three years since I’ve done any exercise. I’ve been trying to build myself up to some type of exercise routine but with the additional financial pressure which cause me some major stress; I just didn’t have it in me. Well, I made it through a 2.5 mile walk and it made me feel great! I kept telling Brandon I wasn’t sure if I could do it but when I did; it was fantastic! Afterwards, I was ready for anything.