Tag Archives: budget

Budgeting: Get it right, Get it done

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Last week we reviewed Brian Tracy’s best-selling book, Eat That Frog! looking at simple tactics that could help you to take action on your financial resolutions this year. The book’s unusual title is derived from a saying that if the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, it would probably be the worst thing that would happen to you for the entire day.

Tracy, a goal achievement expert, explained that your frog is your most important task, “the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it now.” If you immediately tackle your frog every day, it will have a tremendous positive effect on all your goals. Ignoring your frogs will only make it harder to achieve your life’s objectives.

Your ticket to success

One thing you can do right now to change your financial future is to prepare a budget. However, it is probably the one money objective that people procrastinate on the most. Budgeting could definitely be viewed as a big ‘frog’ that you need to eat. It is the foundation to money success; as without the clarity it provides, it will be hard to proceed with your other goals. Continue reading Budgeting: Get it right, Get it done →

MoneyAir Flight 2013

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard MoneyAir Flight 2013, with non-stop service to Money Success! It is my pleasure to be your financial flight attendant who will guide and assist you for the duration of this 12-month journey.

Your trip on MoneyAir will be customised to fit your needs, as all passengers must create individual flight plans to achieve their personal objectives. It is important that you make a directional map that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. If not, your journey will be aimless and frustrating, and you will not be able to reach your desired destination.

On MoneyAir, we put you in the pilot’s seat, as you are actually the designer and driver of your own destiny. You will be required to adopt a persistent and determined attitude on this flight, as it will not always be a smooth or simple journey. As we prepare for take-off, please pay full attention as I explain the safety features of our special flight. Continue reading MoneyAir Flight 2013 →

2012 Money Mission Review

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This year, we started off on an optimistic note, asserting that it was possible to make 2012 your best financial year ever, despite the challenges that you may have been facing. To guide you along the way, I outlined a Money Manifesto with 12 commitments that were essential if you wished to achieve financial success.

Recognising that many people abandon their new year’s resolutions by the end of January, I thought that it was important for us to make more regular declarations if we really wanted to improve our financial well-being. My monthly Money Mission suggestions were designed to help keep you focused on carrying out your money goals.

If you have been reading my recommendations every month, how successful have you actually been in carrying out the advice? Has your year been a ‘Mission Accomplished’ or has it been yet another 12 months of ‘Mission Impossible’? Let’s review all the money objectives that we proposed during 2012. Continue reading 2012 Money Mission Review →

Money Mission: Curb Careless Consumption

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All too soon, the month of December is upon us, and many people are busy making preparations for various kinds of seasonal festivities. If gift exchanges, holiday events, party clothes, lavish decorations, and Christmas feasts are part of your plans at this time, it means you could be spending a lot of extra money this month.

In light of the current financial challenges being faced by the country and its citizens, we need to be very cautious when it comes to our spending choices. At the risk of sounding like the Grinch who stole Christmas, the reality is that this is not really the best time to be engaged in too much frivolous spending.

With 2013 promising uncertainty in many areas of national life, it makes sense for us to adopt a more prudent approach to what we do with our money. The possibility of more job layoffs, the depreciating Jamaican dollar and the ever-shifting date for a final IMF agreement are only some of the worrying signs on the economic horizon. Continue reading Money Mission: Curb Careless Consumption →

Money Mission: Stop Procrastinating!

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Isn’t it amazing how fast we have sped through 2012? It seems like just yesterday we were making optimistic declarations about our plans for the new year. Now, there are only 60 days left until this eventful year becomes history. Looking back on the past 10 months, would you say you have accomplished your goals?

Many of our wishful resolutions are destined to remain unfulfilled. If we took the time at the beginning of the year to assess our needs, think about viable solutions to our problems, and write down firm declarations to better our lives, why have over 300 days gone by without us taking action? Why did we let distractions and discouragements keep us from our achievements?

The answer to this age-old problem will vary, as persons may have different issues that affect their levels of motivation. Despite the situations that may have held you back in the past, you can still make an effort to work on some of your unfinished targets. You can make the rest of the year really count by tackling one or two of your incomplete objectives. Continue reading Money Mission: Stop Procrastinating! →

A Makeover For Your Money

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I like to watch television shows that present dramatic transformations in people’s lives. Whether the participants receive a home renovation, a wardrobe revolution or a personal renewal, it is very satisfying to observe the positive changes that take effect. It is also heartening to see that even the worst situations can often be resolved once the right treatments are applied.

If you have a problem with your vision, then a visit to the optometrist and the right eyeglass prescription will usually allow you to see clearly again. Similarly, if your financial future looks fuzzy, then you probably need to get the right remedy from a ‘money doctor.’ The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey is definitely one book that can provide you with a cure for your money concerns.

Financial disasters can be fixed

If you are having challenges with money, I recommend that you read this book. It is interspersed with inspiring stories of persons who were facing severe financial crises and were saved by applying the Total Money Makeover plan. You might be encouraged to know that there are solutions for people with money problems that are even worse than yours. Continue reading A Makeover For Your Money →

A Fresh Financial Start

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“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for; we are the change that we seek.” US President Barack Obama

Many people experience a sense of desperation when they think about their finances; past failures and present frustrations leave them feeling powerless about their financial future. With expenses increasing steadily, salaries depreciating with the dollar, and debt spiralling out of control, it’s no wonder so many persons are in distress.

Even if you are unhappy with your money history, it is very possible to “wheel and come again” as we say in Jamaica. Getting a fresh start with your finances begins with admitting your dissatisfaction with your situation and accepting that you may have made mistakes over the years which cost you dearly.

Once you have examined your past and present concerns, you need to decide that it’s time for a new beginning. As the quote from President Obama declares, change starts within; there is no one else out there who is going to miraculously fix your problems for you. Changing old habits can be challenging, so you have to be committed to continue with the course until complete. Continue reading A Fresh Financial Start →

Jamaicans in Debt Crisis

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Many years ago, I decided to start a little revolving loan scheme for micro entrepreneurs. I had access to some extra funds and thought that it would be a great idea to help a few business owners expand their operations with small disbursements. With my usual enthusiasm, I found a few persons who needed these services and my new venture was underway.

At first, the results were encouraging. A seamstress was able to purchase raw material for a large corporate order; a small wholesale owner was able to obtain another deep freeze for his establishment; a network marketer was able to purchase a large amount of products for sale to her customers. They all paid back their loans on time and I was buoyed by my early success.

However, some of the other loan recipients did not have similar outcomes. Although they had submitted proposals for how the money could help their business growth, it seemed that most of the funds went to either prop up their budget deficits or pay off old loans. Consequently, several persons found it difficult to maintain payments or kept coming back for more loans. Continue reading Jamaicans in Debt Crisis →

Is Borrowing for Education a Good Idea?

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Back-to-school time is here and many consumers are busy sourcing books, supplies, uniforms and other items for their children or for their own schooling. During this period, there is usually an increase in advertisements promoting educational assistance loans.

The reality is that many people have to borrow money to pay for these school expenses. While the ability to access financing for school purposes may seem like a blessing when your budget is tight, is it always a financially smart move? Continue reading Is Borrowing for Education a Good Idea? →

Money Mission: Emancipate yourself from financial slavery

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“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds.” – Marcus Garvey

This week and next Jamaica commemorates its 50th anniversary of Independence as well as 174 years of Emancipation from slavery. In the midst of all the celebratory events, some of us might question how independent or free we really are as a nation, with all the economic, social and political challenges that continue to hinder our productivity and prosperity.

In true Jamaican style, most of us will ‘tek kin teet kibba heart bun’ and enjoy the festivities, putting aside our concerns until after the holidays. However, all too soon, the pressing problems will resurface and vie for our urgent attention. When it comes to money, it seems that both the country and many of its citizens are still trapped in economic slavery.

What are some of the ways in which you can be held captive by the shackles of financial bondage? Continue reading Money Mission: Emancipate yourself from financial slavery →