How to Achieve Financial Goals
December 30, 2008
Do you regularly set financial goals for yourself? Do you plan ahead for your future and know where your money is going before you even get it? If you answered no to these questions, you need to start setting some financial goals for yourself. Here are some proven tips for maximum financial goal achievement.
- Plan ahead. There’s no better time to plan for financial hardship than when you’re at the peak of your financial existence. Create a padded savings for “just in case” future purposes. You never know when your family will hit a financial speed bump or experience a medical emergency that could set you back dearly.
- Be frugal. Too many people who have extra money after paying bills and squaring away monthly expenses end up blowing it frivolously, rather than saving or investing. Don’t spend your money on things you don’t really need. Learn how to get by with what you need and save up for everything else later.
- Set reasonable goals for yourself. If you aren’t wise with your financial goal setting, your money won’t go very far. Plus you’ll end up disappointed that you aren’t seeing results as quickly and you’ll be more prone to spending rather than saving. Set some financial goals that are reasonable.
- Invest wise. If you want to invest some money, be wise about it. If you don’t know much about investing money, read and study as much information as you can. Ask questions to those more knowledgeable than you. Above all, never sink a ton of money into something that you know nothing about. You’ll end up losing a lot more than you gain.
Find the Good Things About Aunt Edna This Christmas
December 25, 2008
I’ll bet your wondering who Aunt Edna is, right? We all have an Aunt Edna in our families. You know, she’s the one who’s always cranky and never has anything nice to say. She’s the one who always points out those ten pounds you gained at Christmas and lets you know how your sweet potato casserole could have been better.
Aunt Edna is the one who is difficult to get along with. Yet, she’s always there at Christmas so you can’t really avoid her. This year, find some good things about Aunt Edna.
- Ask about her year. Connect with your Aunt Edna by asking how her year was. Sure, she’ll probably still give you a cranky quick response at first, but if you wait a little bit longer, she just might open up and share a part of herself with you.
- Beg for her special recipe. What Aunt Edna doesn’t like to share her most prized recipes? Show special attention to the dish she brought for Christmas dinner, then ask if you can have a copy of her recipe. Even better, ask what the special ingredient is.
- Volunteer to do something nice for her. One of the reasons why your Aunt Edna is probably so grumpy all the time is that nobody wants to be around her. So she ends up having to do all her dirty work with no help. Offer to rake her yard or shovel the walk.
- Buy her something special. This year instead of passing Aunt Edna over, spend extra time picking out a special gift, just for her. She won’t see it coming, and she just might be so flabbergasted that she won’t be hateful to you anymore.
What To Do When Your Divorced Parents Are Both Invited For Christmas Dinner
December 25, 2008
Nearly half married couples end up going through a divorce. With a startling statistic like that, it’s safe to say that many of us have parents who are divorced. Finding a way to celebrate Christmas with both of them can be challenging if their marriage didn’t end in a friendly manner.
Making Christmas pleasant for everyone involved can be tricky when both parents are invited. However, it can be done with tact and grace and everyone can have a great time together. Here are some tips to help you figure it out.
- Don’t bring up the past. One of the worst things to do in many cases of divorced parents is bring up the past. If you know that is a particularly sore spot for your parents, try not to bring it up in conversation. Many divorced parents want to move forward, not talk about past mistakes.
- Focus on the present and future. Talk about or ask questions about the future. Do either of them have impending promotions or job changes? Talk about your children’s school projects or recent plays. Find a way to help them connect through family topics.
- Play games. Simple board or card games can help connect broken families. A fun game of SkipBo or Uno or a few games of Clue or Chinese checkers can bring everyone together at the table. Never underestimate the power of a simple game.
These are just a few simple ways to keep the mood peaceful and lighthearted during Christmas with your divorced parents. Add your own ideas to this list and have a pleasant Christmas with your family this year.
