The next decade is upon us and I think there is not a better time to focus some more attention on many of our poor financial standings. Actually, the time to do this was probably during the Y2K hype, but I feel it is never too late to jump on the ball that rolls us through life.
The reason I am and have written about finances is due to the lack of control we have over our lives when we do not control our finances. By controlling our finances, we are able to live the LifeExcursion Motto…Living Life to The Max Today!
Today, I am going to present some steps, sites, process’, and other information that will hopefully assist your growth to a more financially stable life. ENJOY!!!
- Read the following blog post by Adam Baker at ManVsDebt : 42 Ways to Radically Simplify Your Financial Life I think this is a great jumping off point for multiple avenues of your financial life.
- Start a Mint account. I have been using Mint’s budgeting tool for 6 months now and love the simplicity and the fact that I can’t hide from it.
- Read these blogs regularly….EnemyofDebt …. BudgetsAreSexy …. ManVsDebt
- Consider moving your money to a local community credit union. They actually work for you unlike the major banks. Check out the Move Your Money Movement by clicking HERE or HERE then watch the video below.
- Stop Spending in 2010. Start building an Emergency Fund. Build a $500 emergency fund…then a $1000 one…and so on.
- Read David Bach’s Automatic Millionaire and his new book Start Over, Finish Rich. (Affiliate Links)
- Make financial goals small, medium and BIG. It doesn’t matter how small they are, just make them and celebrate frugally when you do meet those goals.
- Start a blog for FREE by clicking HERE. Write about your movement towards a financially free life and get involved with the financial blogging community.
- Discuss your financial goals with your family and friends. They will support you and if they don’t, then you need to seriously question their influence on your life.
- Budget with Gift Cards. I have been doing this off and on for years now. I am back on it as we speak and it is awesome. What you do is purchase gift cards with your budgeted amount for groceries, clothes, gas, etc. and then limit yourself to just using these gift cards. If you have some left on them, you can use them in future weeks. By doing this you don’t allow ANY overspending.
I hope these 10 tips will help you improve your financial status in 2010.
I would love to hear your exciting financial approaches towards 2010. I can always improve my own. So, please COMMENT your suggestions to all of us so we can be as kick ass as you in 2010.
Have a Safe and Happy New Year!!!!
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Thanks for the kick a** mention man! I love 1-10 above man! All very good tips, especially number 3.
I am also very interested in number 4 myself. I have to admit I do not have a credit union but am a big fan of them. I just have a local bank since my job gives me free checking and direct deposit with them, PLUS I left Bank of America because they SUCK!!!
Here’s to a great 2010 for you David! I know you are going to do big things and I will support you any way I can all the way through it. Keep doing what you do man, you inspire lots of people, including myself!!
Let’s G.R.O.W. in 2010 my friend!
Glad I am able to help Brad. You keep it up as well….
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Dave,
Excellent post! I have been giving thought to the “gift card” budget idea for awhile now and this gave me the final kick in the a** that I’ve been needing. Thanks so much.
Have an awesome New Year celebration! I’ll talk to you next year.. ;o)
-Dena
Thumbs up on the Mint.com suggestion and the gift card suggestion as well. I have been using mint for a long time and my favorite part is definitely the pie charts. I do something similar to the gift card idea. I usually take out X amount of cash and then take ONLY the cash to the store and do my shopping. Like you said, you can’t over spend if you don’t have it!
Hey Dave!
Fantastic way to wrap up 2009, and I think that gift card suggestion is money (no pun intended).
Glad to see LE back online and producing content!
Cheers!
oooh i like that gift card budgeting idea! heard about it before, but it always slips my mind – glad you found a way that works for you
and thx for the awesome shout out my good sir, happy new year!
I just got caught up and saw this!
Thanks for the kind words and shout out!
The gift card/envelope method; excellent!
I love the budget with gift cards! I started doing that with Starbucks giving myself a little on a gift card (and I get bonus w the giftcard) so I didn’t stop there too much. Nice set of ideas!