Control debt this season...7 Suggestions!!!!

As we enter this season of giving and celebrating, I started thinking about everyone who hit the malls and retail stores yesterday, most who will dig a financial hole for themselves so that they can make themselves and someone else happy. I have a goal of helping masses of people achieve their dreams and it is just more difficult with debt. Debt free 2010 is a goal for myself and for my clients. I have 7 suggestions that will still allow you to make someone and yourself happy, but not give you stress come January 2010.

Suggestion #1 Set a budget and stick with it

This allows us to become good stewards of our money. Having that budget gives us more discriminatory power in our purchasing. The budget of course should not become so large that it haunts us in February 2010. Remember, 2010 is our year and we cannot let the things that we do in November, December of 2009 impact the year that we will have in 2010.

Suggestion #2 Sleep on a purchase before you buy

Many times we buy things on impulse and then never use them or the people we give them to end up never using them. Just because the sale is good does not mean that we must buy it. Do not buy on impulse. I have learned that if I decide to think about a purchase overnight then typically the next day I do not want it or I see something else that interests me more.

Suggestion #3 Leave the plastic at home, unless it is a debit card attached to the bank account.

Shopping on credit causes many to dismiss their budget and entertain impulse shopping. We do not want to become slaves to the credit industry. Proverbs 22:7(NLT) Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

Suggestion #4 Learn the difference between a need and a want

In my opinion a need is the basics of shelter (home, electricity, water etc), food, clothing, transportation (including gas). If you have the basics of that, then everything else is a want and you can live without it.

Suggestion #5 Sit down this season and get the plan together for getting out of debt so that you could be free to start investing extra money that you have.
February 2010 should not become a time of nausea because of the purchases made in November/December 2009. Proverbs 21:20(NLT) The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

Suggestion #6 Find alternatives to individualized gift giving

Alternative 1: Participating in the Secret Santa, Yankee Swap or White Elephant Gift exchange games is a fun and economical way to celebrate the people who we love. It is great with friends, family members and co-workers and can become a festive event that not only includes the giving of gifts, but music, food (potluck) and laughs. There are lots of information available on the web and you can also check out: http://www.secretsanta.com/

Alternative 2: Family members can plan as to who will buy a gift for which family member. This way, each person only buys one gift and everyone is happy.

Alternative 3: Sending out personalized gift cards are another economical way to give this season. The cost includes stamps for mailing and the cards themselves. The personalized messages are priceless.

Alternative 4: Making a gift from the heart is also a great way to give this season. Handmade baskets, ceramics, blankets, jewellery etc are awesome gifts, especially if the person making them is talented.

Suggestion #7 Spend some time feeding and clothing the hungry and the homeless.

This act of kindness will make you so satisfied and happy that it will change your view on the things that are important to you.

These are simple suggestions for us this season but they are so profound in the effect that they will have on us as we head into 2010. Debt free 2010 is my goal? Is it yours?

What are some other suggestions that you can think of to make sure that 2010 does not cause nausea and headaches for us all?

***Want to use this article? No problem, but you must mention that: This blog was received from http://successblessed.blogspot.com***

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Today as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I am reminded of so many things to be thankful for. My health because so many people who I know have not been able to live to see this day. My mind because so many people are in mental institutions right now or are in prisons right now as a result of "losing their minds". My family because so many people are still searching for the love of a family. My relationship with God because without Him, I would never have survived the past 2 years of turbulence in my life. I am so thankful and so very grateful today for the little things. The things that are priceless, the things that seem miniscule. I am thankful. The challenges that I have had to face have allowed me to be even more thankful this Thanksgiving. And, as the first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 to give thanks for a harvest gathered after a tough winter, I am celebrating a huge harvest that is on its way in 2010. This poem below really demonstrates how I am feeling right now. A friend sent it to me and I am sharing with you today.....Happy Thanksgiving to All Today!!!!!

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

~ Author Unknown

***Want to use this article? No problem, but you must mention that: This blog was received from http://successblessed.blogspot.com***

Veteran's Day Note and Prayer

It is Nov 11, 2009, a day that we have set aside to celebrate and thank our military families for their service and sacrifice. A day typically accentuated with discounts for military members, parades, cemetery visits and such. Being a veteran myself, I love to see the different ways in which our nation honors its own. Today though, I pray that we all set aside a minute or two to especially pray for those families who have lost loved ones and for those who served closely with those loved ones. Recently, I spoke with three of my friends who both had to endure the loss of their fellow soldiers whom they served very closely with. The emotions that can come with losing not one, not two but several comrades at the same time can be quite tough to deal with. The lasting effects of this kind of emotion can be unhealthy. Additionally, as we write letters and cards to the service men and women overseas, let us not forget about the ones that we have here at home that are spending time at the various Veteran hospitals for injuries sustained in war and those not in our hospitals, but who have sustained emotional injury. As military men and women, we all know that when we sign the dotted lines, we are signing up for war. We know it and we agree to it. Some of us may not experience it and some may. The bottom line is that we all have a choice as to whether we would like to join the military family, knowing that we may possibly go to war. So, instead of arguing about whether military members need to be in a war, let us unite on this Veteran’s Day and pray:

“Dear Heavenly Father, our troops have been sent into war, as peacekeepers and conquers. We petition You, Lord, according to Psalm 91, for the safety of our military personnel. We ask You Lord to comfort them in the midst of this turmoil and to show them that they are not forgotten by America or by You, Lord. This is no small task that our armed forces will walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the devil and all his angels. We look beyond human instruments of conflict and rebuke, in Jesus Name, all the forces and authorities and rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual realm (Colossians 2:15). As children of the Most High God we enforce the triumphant victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know Lord that all power and authority both in heaven and earth belong to You. We petition heaven to turn our troops into a real peacekeeping force by pouring out the glory of God through our men and women in that part of the world. Let them take everything the Master has set out for them, well-made weapons of the best materials. (Ephesians 6:12) Use them as instruments of righteousness to defeat the plans of the devil. Lord, we plead the power of the blood of Jesus, asking You to manifest Your power and glory. We entreat You on behalf of the citizens in these countries on both sides of the conflict. They all have experienced pain and heartache; they are victims of the devil’s strategies to steal, kill and destroy John 10:10). We pray that they will come to know Jesus Who came to give us life and life more abundantly. We stand in the gap for the people of the war-torn, devil-overrun land. We expect an overflowing of Your goodness and glory in the lives of those for whom we are praying (Ezekiel 22:30). May they call upon Your name and be saved. Heavenly Father, provide for and protect the families of our armed forces. Preserve marriages; cause the hearts of the parents to turn toward their children and the hearts of the children to turn toward the fathers and mothers (Malachi 4:6). We plead the blood of Jesus over our troops and their families. Provide a support system to under gird, uplift and edify those who have been left to raise children by themselves. Jesus has been made unto these parents wisdom, righteousness and sanctification. Through Your Holy Spirit, comfort the lonely and strengthen the weary. You Lord, make known Your salvation; Your righteousness You openly show in the sight of the nations. (Psalm 98:2, Luke 2:30-31). Heavenly Father, we are looking forward to that day when the whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen” (prayer excerpt from www.christianword.org)

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Fox News vs The White House

This is the new topic of conversation for the pundits recently. The White House has chosen Fox News as it’s target and wants to totally discredit it…..or something like that…..I mean really, why wage a war with the Media. There are healthcare issues, war issues, foreign policy issues but of course Fox has to be taught that it must like the White House/President, or else? I am not sure as to what is happening here but this is getting out of control. There are way too many other things to be dealing with than the newsmedia…..This is crazy!!!!

Success

“Success is not a destination, it’s a journey” Zig Ziglar

This is so very true. It really is not about the destination but about the journey. Success is birthed in the journey. Many successful men and women have a journey. I encourage you to journal the journey of success. This journey is what will speak to other people. This journey is what will engage an audience. This journey will be your foundation in success.

***Want to use this article? No problem, but you must mention that: This blog was received from http://successblessed.blogspot.com***

The non-value of cash value

Life insurance and investments should be separate and not bundled together. Pure investments such as mutual funds have potential for higher returns than cash value life insurance. Term Life insurance is the best option out there.