How To Tackle Your Budget Once and For All

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

how to tackle your budget once and for all

New Year. New You.  Right?  Well that seems a bit dramatic for me, so let’s just say, “New Year, Better You.”

This year we set some pretty hefty goals for ourselves and I’m sure you have done the same.  If one of your goals is to finally tackle your money situation then you’ve come to the right place.  Around here I share money management tips, budget advice and more to help you learn how to manage your money so that you can finally stop living paycheck-to-paycheck.

We’ve personally paid off over $40,000 in under three years while switching careers, starting a family and moving across the state.  It all started with a little red clip board and a goal to stop being so frustrated every single month.  Here we are years later and we’re still living proof that anyone can set financial goals for themselves, create a plan and get to work.

I get asked a lot what is one thing that helped us really tackle our budget and stay motivated.  Without hesitation I always reply with something along the lines of “seeing where are money was going.”  So many times we were swiping our cards, pulling cash out of the bank and not even thinking about it.  The money was there and it was burning a hole in our pocket.

When we created our budget and started tracking our spending that’s when things shifted for us.  We were finally able to see where we were wasting our money – it was an eye opener.  That’s why I am so adamant for families to create their own workable budgets.

In today’s video I’m sharing how you can easily create your family’s budget using our Chief Financial Officer template.  Watch the video online or down below:

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Budgets get a bad rap for being restrictive and overwhelming.  But in reality if you don’t have a budget then you’re allowing your money to control you and you’re not controlling your money.  That’s why I love our Chief Financial Officer template so freaking much.  It truly is a game changer when it comes to understanding your money better.

Need Help With Your Budget?

grab budget success checklist

Grab our Budget Success Checklist.  This nine-step guide will help you break down your income and expenses so that you can create a workable budget for your family.

How To Be More Proactive Instead of Reactive

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

how to be proactive instead of reactive

Every Wednesday morning I hop on Facebook live to share a new personal protection tip or what I like to call “Warrior Tip Wednesday.”  They’re quick, they’re fast, and they are doable.

Why do I go live? Because I want to help my friends, my family, my readers, and you with new out-of-the-box and simple ways to better protect your families.  You hear horror stories in the news every single day and it’s getting scary as a parent.  My goal is not make anyone live in fear, but to understand that with preparedness comes confidence.

That’s why this past week’s Warrior Tip was all about the normalcy bias, which basically means believing that nothing bad will happen to you or to your family.  When you believe your town is safer, your walmart has lower crime rates and your children’s school will never have anything bad happen then you are acting with a reactive mentality and that’s what we want to shift.

In today’s video check out why I want you start thinking more proactively and stop living in this normalcy bias bubble where we are acting with a reacting mentality.  Watch the video online or down below:

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Resources mentioned in this video:

Tips for protecting your children

Who is Damsel in Defense?

Want More?

Join us over on Facebook where I go live every Wednesday morning to share a new Warrior Tip with you.  Plus, you’ll be the first to know of upcoming products and sales from Damsel in Defense.

How To Save $1,000 Fast + Easy (Weekly Savings Plan)

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

how to save $1,000 fast, weekly savings plan

A few years back I created a simple weekly savings plan that started in June to help families save a little extra money through out the year. Well that post went viral and it is one of my most re-pinned pins to this day.  Obviously I was onto something.  Families want to save more money without the stress of actually figuring out HOW to save more money.

For years we struggled with getting a grip on our finances.  It took a lot of money dates to get on the same page about our money, which I assume is something most couples struggle with because let’s face it – one is usually the saver and one is usually the spender.  You both have big financial goals you want to reach, but money is tight and it’s hard to get on the same page to start making progress.

Trust me when I say this..

You can do it.

It is possible to save money on a tight budget while paying down debt and still having fun.  If our family can do it then your family can do it.  We are not anymore special than you are, we were just ready for a change and we took a leap of faith.

Watch today’s video online or down below:

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Here’s how this weekly savings plan works

It’s simple.  Between now and the week BEFORE Black Friday you will put aside $22 into a savings account. That means for the next 46 weeks you be saving money on a weekly basis.  At the end you will end up with $1,012 to use for Christmas gifts, travel or to have in your emergency fund.

Why the week before Black Friday?

Saving money isn’t just about what you keep, but it’s about what you spend.  So by saving over $1,000 before Black Friday then you should be able to use that money to buy most of your Christmas gifts while they are on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  I usually make my Christmas Budget and Gift List in early November so I can tackle most, if not all, of my holiday shopping while sitting on the couch with my laptop.  I want to encourage you to try to do the same.  Have a plan and you’ll be surprised with how much money you can save!

Not sure how you’re going to find $22 a week for this weekly savings plan…

Most families eat out once or twice a week on average, so if you’re struggling to find the extra cash then cut back on how often you eat out or what you pick to splurge on (sometimes McDonald’s drive-thru is just as good as a sit down restaurant and a lot cheaper!).  You can even put yourself on an No Eating Out Challenge to help kick start you.

Print out the Weekly Black Friday Savings chart to check off as you progress. Having something visual can help keep you focused.

weekly savings checklist

Download your Weekly Black Friday Savings Checklist.

Weekly Savings Plan Tips:

Save More When Possible: if you find yourself with some extra cash at the end of a week, go ahead and put in your stash.  That way if there’s a week later down the road where money is a bit tight you will still be on track to reach your overall goal of having $1,000.

Involve The Whole Family: It’s important to make sure you and your spouse are on the same page with your weekly savings goal.  But more than that, involve the kids.  Let them check off the progress chart, talk about why you want to save this money, and see if they have any ideas to help find the $22 each week.

For more help in creating a weekly goal, check out my Sinking Funds checklist.  This tool can help you create the perfect savings goals to reach all those big financial goals you have.

Let’s Talk About Goal Setting Strategies To Grow Your Business in 2019

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Let's Talk About Goals For 2019 To Grow Your Business

New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to sit back and spend a little time reflecting on how far you’ve come this past year.

Do you write down your New Year’s Goals or Resolutions?  If so, do you know where those are even at?  Most of us start each year off with the best of intentions, but then life gets in the way.  Our kids need us (which is a good thing), we get sick, we get stressed, and we get distracted.

It happens.

It doesn’t mean we stop setting goals, it just means we need to get more strategic with them.  We need to start setting SMART goals so that we can quickly see the progress we’re making without the feeling of overwhelm.

But before we can really start making goals for the upcoming year, we need to see how far we’ve come.  So take a few minutes and find your 2018 resolutions.  You may have to dig for a bit in your nightstand drawer or search on your computer, but go find those goals.

You can check out my 2018 goals on the blog.  Each year I sit down with a pen and paper and jot down a few goals for myself.  If you notice on last year’s post I was pretty vague, which is why I don’t feel as if I accomplished them all.

I do know one goal, which was a biggie was achieved and that’s earning the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.  That took a lot of studying, a lot of testing and it felt great when I earned those letters.

This year I’m trying something different – I’m going to be more finite in my goal setting.

I want to encourage you to join me – let’s some some goals for ourselves, but not just any goals – let’s be strategic, let’s be measurable and let’s get started today.

If you need help keeping track of your 2019 goals then I suggest checking out Trello.  It’s a web-based project management tool that helps you keep track of your progress, make checklists and keep it all in one place.  I use Trello to help block out my schedule so that I can run my business while working full-time and raising a family.

Here’s a snapshot of my SMART goals for this next year:

how to set SMART goals, goal setting basics, keeping track of your goals, how to grow your business

As you can see I broke each goal down into the month I want to achieve them, the specific amount I want to reach or my actual goal, and have a space to easily keep track of my progress in each task.

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If you’re wondering what the different colors mean, here’s a key that I came up:

how to set SMART goals, goal setting basics, keeping track of your goals, how to grow your business

Each area of my life – my businesses, my career and personally are labeled with their own color.  That way it’s a lot easier to keep track of what exactly I’m working on . On top of that, I created a few other cards (Trello lingo for list) to help me stay focused on the goal at hand.  I can easily drag and drop my goals into four other lists: goals for the week, current sprint, in progress, and ongoing projects.

Goals For This Week.  Where I plan to take my checklist and turn each one into an achievable task with a shorter due date.

Current Sprint.  Items I am currently focused on that might need to take longer than a week.

In Progress.  Tasks that are being worked on, but am waiting on the next step to keep moving forward.

Ongoing Projects. Goals that will be an ongoing process.

What are your goals this upcoming year?

Want More?

grab your cross stress off your list guide (1)

Grab our Cross Stress Off Your To Do List worksheet.  This guide will walk you through a game changing exercise.  By the end you will feel more in control and less stress, which means you’ll be able to focus on what matters most!

What To Pack In Your Roadside Emergency Kit (Damsel in Defense Junk in the Trunk)

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

What To Pack In Your Roadside Emergency Kit (Damsel in Defense Junk in the Trunk)

Have you ever had a flat tire on your drive and had to pull over?  What about walking out into a parking lot to a dead car battery?  I have – two both of those.  It’s not fun.  Especially now a days when I have a toddler who isn’t the most patient person in the world.  That’s why I have started carrying a roadside emergency kit in my car.

Honestly, if you ever travel by car, which I assume most of us do, then you need to have some sort of roadside emergency kit with you.

A few weeks ago I shared some winter travel tips and what I add to my roadside kit during the colder months, but I thought today would be a good day to go through my specific roadside kit to share what I have inside.

You can watch my video online of what I carry in my roadside emergency kit or watch the video down below:

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What to pack in your roadside emergency kit:

Jumper Cables
Rain Poncho
First Aid Kit
Emergency Blanket
Batter-free Flashlight
Tool Set
Gloves
Tire Pressure Gauge

You can purchase all of these items separately or buy one that’s already put together for you.  The one I carry is the Junk in the Trunk from Damsel in Defense; however, you can find one on Amazon.

Be sure to join me over on my Facebook page every Wednesday morning about 7am for a quick Warrior Tip.

Damsel in Defense Uboxing and Product Unveiling

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

damsel in defense product unboxing, self defense tools

Are you ready for Christmas?  I mean, ready ready…

Like all your gifts are bought, wrapped and perfectly placed under the tree?

If not, then you’re in luck!  I’m sharing some great last minute gift ideas for those hard-to-buy for women in your life.  Plus, if you watch the video I’ll share with you how you still have time to get these items BEFORE Christmas Eve on Monday.

Earlier this week I went live over on my Facebook page to share some of the latest items I received from Damsel in Defense.  These make great last minute gift ideas that pack a serious punch.  In today’s video I’m sharing my unboxing with you and talking about why these items make some of the best personal protection gifts for your loved ones.

By why Damsel in Defense?  I have a goal to EQUIP, EDUCATE and EMPOWER women with the knowledge and tools they need to defend themselves from a would-be attacker.  

I am passionate.  I’m driven. I am proud.

Plus, I’m always answering questions like…

What should I get my sister-in-law who is expecting her first baby?

What should my Mom have as she starts to live on own for the first time?

My daughter is leaving for college soon, what can she legally carry to protect herself?

I love answering these questions because it means my mission is reaching more people. 

Watch the Damsel in Defense product unboxing online or down below:

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RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

Pouch O’Pepper Pepper Spray 

Breakaway Braid Keychain

Get A Grip Stun Gun in Rose

Covert Kari Large Concealed Carry Purse

Pocket Brook RFID Wallet/Clutch

Sock It To Me Striking Tool

Step Off Door Alarm

Join my VIP mailing list to be the first to know about upcoming sales and product releases

 

Who Is Damsel in Defense

See What’s Included in The Starter kit 

Watch How To Teach Your Kids To Better Protect Themselves

Watch How To Use A Stun Gun 

Learn Winter Travel Safety Tips

How Much Your Eating Out Budget Should Be Each Month

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

how to set your eating out budget

Are you ready to rock your budget and FINALLY take control of your spending?

Well I’m going to break down my magic formula so that you can create the perfect eating out budget for your family… no matter your income level and no matter the size of your family.

This simple formula that I mention in today’s video will help you feel more confident in your budgeting skills and help you take better control of your money.

You can watch how much your eating out budget should be each month online or down below:

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For more tips, keep reading:

Take Home Pay:

Make sure you know how much your take home pay is each month.  The easiest way to determine it is to better understand your paycheck so you can have a better picture.

Know The Formula:

Once you have your take home pay then it’s time to apply the formula.  Simply multiply your amount by 5%.  For instance, if you’re net pay is $5,000 each month then your eating out budget should be $250 for your family.

How To Start Your New Budget Amount:

There are a few ways you can transition to your new budget.  One way is to simply keep track of your spending on an envelope or check register to make sure you don’t overspend.  My favorite way for beginners or those that struggle with overspending is to withdraw cash from your account each month.  That way you force yourself to use cash for eating out and will prevent yourself from overspending.

Ready To Get Your Budget In Gear?

chief financial officer, budget template, easy to use budget

Grab the Chief Financial Officer template over in the shop so that you can easily manage your family finances.  This one-stop tool will help you budget your money effectively, track your spending and check your progress towards your goals.  You can grab it for 50% off right now until January 1st.  Just use code CFO2019 at checkout.

What Do You Do With Your 24 Hours Each Day (How To Reach Your Goals)

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

how to reach your goals, same 24 hours in a day

One of my favorite quotes talks about how we all have the same 24 hours in a day and it’s what we do with them that matters.

As someone who loves to be busy, there are days where I start to feel that I am just running in circles and not making much progress.  I’m sure it happens to most moms – you go through the day’s routine without much thought.  You wake up and get ready with moments to spare before your littles need to get up.  You feed them, dress them and then rush out the door barely making it on time.  Next it’s drop offs, traffic and your daily to-do list running through your mind before making it to work.  Then it’s work all day, crossing things off your to-do list and putting out fires.  Before you know it, it’s time to pick up the kiddos and head home to cook dinner, do dishes and start a load of laundry.

Or is that just my typical day?

Hmmm… as someone who has big goals for myself and my business it gets hard to stay focused day in and day out.  Life gets in the way and for good reason.  We close the laptop early so we can be present with our families.  We fall into bed out of exhaustion, telling ourselves we’re wake up even earlier to get more done, but then we hit that snooze button.

It’s okay, but we really need to be working towards our goals.  The best way to do that is by keeping our dreams top of mind.  Let’s start making sure we know, our husbands know, our friends know what our end goal is.  That way they can start encouraging us along the way.

Let’s start using our 24 hours to our advantage:

inspirational quote, 24 hours in a day

Make A Plan

Create a plan for each day. I love using time blocking as a way to fit in all the have-to-get done tasks and the steps to reach my goals.  Write out all the tasks that you need to be working on to help you reach your goal.  Make sure to save some buffer time for those fires, but you have to start prioritizing your goals too.

Write Out Your Goals

List out what your big goals are so that you can create smaller steps to help you get there.  I’ve talked about this idea before.  You need your big goals with small mini goals with closer deadlines.  That way you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Put your goals where you can see them every day.  Stick them to your mirror, hang them inside your closet, or make them your screensaver on your phone.  Make sure you see them every single day.

Do What You Love

When you’re focused on what you’re passionate about then it doesn’t feel like work (tweet it).  For instance, I love helping families learn to budget their money.  That’s my passion.  When you’re working towards a goal that incorporates your passion then you will find the time for it.  You won’t be putting it off, you won’t be avoiding it.

Cherish The Small Moments

How many times do you achieve a goal (big or small) and you just keep moving forward?  No celebration?  No victory dance?  Nothing?  Stop it!

You need to celebrate all the wins.  No matter if that means calling someone to share that moment with (I usually call my husband and my sister) or just posting it in a business owner group (I’m part of a few on Facebook and it’s amazing to see all of us support one another).

Want More?

Grab our Cross Stress Off Your To Do List worksheet.  This guide will walk you through a game changing exercise.  By the end you will feel more in control and less stress, which means you’ll be able to focus on what matters most!

 

How To Teach Your Kids To Protect Themselves (Self Defense Tips For Young Kids)

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

How To Teach Our Kids To Protect Themselves (Self Defense Tips For Young Kids)

One of my biggest fears as a mother is keeping my child safe.  In today’s world a child needs to know how to protect themselves from all sorts of dangers.

I mean, let’s face it, the world is a completely different place than when we were young.  There are new dangers they are facing – in-person stranger danger, bullies, only cyber issues and so on.  It’s getting crazy out there.

I think that’s why I am so passionate about teaching my son how to protect himself.  Plus, helping other parents take the guesswork and the worry out of teaching their own kids self defense tips.

In today’s video I’m sharing with you ways to teach your kids to protect themselves.  You can watch this video online or down below:

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We need to make sure our kids are protected by:

Doing An Audit.  We need to be reviewing which apps they use on their devices, who they are chatting with, and what their passwords are.

Teaching Them To Ask.  We need to empower our children to know who to ask for help.  In the video I mention how not every adult is okay to ask for help from.

Showing Them When To Sound An Alarm.  Having our children carry personal alarms and safety whistles is a smart move.  That way they can know it’s okay to draw attention to themselves if they start to feel unsafe.

Teaching Them Our Name.  From an early age our kids need to be taught their parents’ names.  That way if they get separated from us they will know who to ask for, besides Mommy and Daddy, so we can be reunited faster.

For more self defense tips be sure to follow be over on Facebook.  I go live every Wednesday morning to share a new Warrior Wednesday Tip so that you can feel empowered to better protect your family.

If you want to learn more about Damsel in Defense go HERE.

 

How We Save $14,000 Each Year (Money Saving Tips | Minimalism)

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

How We Save $14,000 Each Year, minimalism money saving tips

What would you do if I told you that in 2018 alone we saved over $14,000?  Would you believe me?  Would you be curious about how we did it?

Well it’s true.  This past year thanks to a few mindset shifts and new habits we were able to save over $14,000.  Actually, it was closer to $14,700 in savings.

Think about what your family could do with an extra $14,000 each year.  Would you be able to finally become debt free?  Start saving for your retirement?  Or even start putting some away each month for your children’s future college expenses?

That’s exactly what we did with our savings, which I talked about in a previous post where I detailed our top 5 monthly expenses.  It’s a pretty nice feeling to not stress about bills and to know that one day when we’re ready, we’ll be able to retire without having to stress or worry.

In today’s video I’m sharing the 8 money saving tips we started this past year and how that added up fast.  You can watch online or down below:

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For a quick recap of our top money saving tips, keep reading:

Cable.  We cut the cord and have never looked back.

Meal planning and eating out less.  In the video I shared tips on meal planning and how that was a game changer for our budget.  I even talked about we prefer to use our slow cooker to keep us on track with eating out less and less each week.

Child care for our son.  This is a huge money saver each month for us.  We opted for an in-home sitter that treats our son like family over an over-priced daycare.

Christmas and birthday gifts.  Spending money on the holidays and birthdays can really add up.  That’s why years ago we implemented a gift budget system and have really stuck with it over the years.  We also make sure to use those credit card reward points to help us save even more.

Make sure to watch the video for the rest of our money saving tips and ideas.