Tag Archives: Personal Peace

Financial Pitfalls: Necessities vs Luxuries

One common money mistake is to confuse necessities with luxuries. Often people grew up with these items, and cannot seem to fathom life without them. Even though they struggle with paying the monthly bills, they do not think of cutting back on the luxuries, because they mistake them for necessities. Others may think that the bill isn’t that big, so it really doesn’t matter. It is surprising how much the little things add up. Here are five common luxuries that many people consider necessities. 1) The most common luxury that people seem unable to part with is cable or satellite … Continue reading →

5 Ways to Avoid Debt

Most people consider debt a normal part of life. It is a quick means to an end. It allows for instant gratification. In many ways you get a big pay-off for a seemingly small amount (monthly payments). In fact we have been so conditioned that many people balk at the ideas that will keep them from carrying debt their entire working lives. Here are five tips for avoiding debt. 1) Begin planning now. It sounds simple, but it is a very effective way to avoid debt. Most “emergencies” can be planned for now, so that you can avoid going into … Continue reading →

Financial Pitfalls: Failure to Establish Financial Independence

One important step in managing your finances is to become independent of outside help. Usually parents or in-laws offer this help and it may be small amounts of money monthly or it may be large gifts of money annually. If your parents are in a position to give you money this is can be seen as a blessing. Many parents are able to help their children with a down payment on a home. They may also help with the purchase of your first car. While these gifts are nice. It is important that you do not become dependent on them. … Continue reading →

Budget Strategies: Using Budgeting Software

One tool you may consider using when it comes to money management is budgeting software. This is especially true if you are part of the computer generation. You will need to search carefully to find a program that works well for you and your family. There are many different types of programs available and so you will need to decide your needs and wants. Two of the biggest money management programs for families are Microsoft Money and Quicken. These programs are very similar. I have used both and like the features that they offer. The software allows you to balance … Continue reading →

A Review of “Rich on Any Income”

If you are just beginning to budget or have tried budgeting and nothing seems to work for you, you should take the time to read “Rich on Any Income.” This is a basic budgeting book. It takes you step by step through forming a workable budget. The authors are straightforward in their instructions. The book outlines a budgeting system that will work for any individual that sticks to it. The other great feature of this system is the flexibility it offers. You can set up a budget that matches your paychecks, so you can have a two-week budget, a monthly … Continue reading →

Take Time to Be Still

It is easy to become too busy to do the things, which are truly most important. If you feel that you are being pulled too many directions, that you have an amount of work, which is impossible to complete, you may have. The world today expects so much from individuals. It is easy to become so caught up in the things that we should be doing that we often neglect the things that are truly important. Many of the choices before you may be good ones. It can be difficult to decide when and where you need to cut back. … Continue reading →