Schedule Important Things First
Are your actions in sync with your priorities? Are you putting your money where your priorities are? Revisit your Family Mission Statement. Then, take a look at your recent expenditures of both money AND time. Are they in line with your values, dreams and goals?
If not, you’re not alone. Many families today act in ways that aren’t congruent with their priorities. They say they value their child's education, but Mom spends $50 a month getting manicures and Dad eats his lunches out while contributing nothing to the college fund. Although they say security and responsibility is important, they don’t have updated wills or are underinsured. Does this ring a bell? By scheduling your top-priority things first, you’re ensuring that they will get done.
Now that you’ve created a mission statement, your family’s priorities should be clear. It will help you schedule important things on your priority list first, and then other things will fall into place afterward. If you answered this thread If you had an extra hour in your day... is there a way you can schedule these things first in your day? Doing so may also help you eliminate some of your time-wasters as well as allow you to incorporate more time to work on your dreams. In doing so, you’ll improve the quality of your life.
Daily Tasks
Make it a habit to always write down the top 5-10 things you want to accomplish each day. Use whatever method suits your lifestyle best: a notebook, a computer tasks list, or a dayplanner. Research shows that list makers accomplish more. Be one of them!
The “Big Stuff” To Do List
If you’ve been reading the FTJ steps, chances are there was at least one step you realized was important but avoided doing it. Maybe you didn’t have time, it didn’t sound like fun. Maybe there are other less financially focused things on your to-do list as well such as scheduling doctor visits.Stop procrastinating! Write down all the important things you are procrastinating on and post them where you see them each day. Make it a goal to cross of each and every one as soon as possible. You’ll feel better about yourself after doing them.
The Big Picture
Keep one master family calendar in a central location in your home. Pick a calendar with ample room for writing all events and activities. Schedule birthdays, programs, and everything you know about in advance first. Then, be proactive in scheduling yearly checkups, car maintenance, and other routine appointments.
Keep your family’s mission statement in mind and plan things that reflect your values: donating your time to charity, fitness routines, and family trips. Lastly, fill in things that come up such as parties, school activities and other obligations. Assign each family member a color and highlight the activities that pertain to them.
Assignment: Create a a “Big Stuff’ to do list. Start making it a habit to also create a daily "to do" list.
Love this! And I love my day planner! Everynight, I write what I need to do the next day. Updating my blog was one of them! Go me! I need to get a calender for us so Zack knows whats coming up!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Grocery Recipts!
So, I think I buy WAY TOO MUCH JUNK FOOD! Its driving me nuts. I will go over the boyfriends (POST IT LIST) of foods he will eat, and get pleanty of that. I just need to find him some stuff he can take to work with him.
2/2 Walmart
10 jars beechnut baby food
36pk parents choice diapers
hair gel
total: 15.90
coupon savings: 1.00
2/8 Smiths
(2)Boxes rice krispie treats
Nos energy drink
(2)pks cookie dough
cough drops
Snap pea crisps(ive been wanting to try these...i thought i could only get them at bulk from amazon since i live in a small town! they were even on markdown!)
2 liter Dr. Pepper
Breyers Ice Cream
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Sunday Paper
Total: 7.26$
coupon/store savings: 20.12$
Left of Budget: 139.44$
2/2 Walmart
10 jars beechnut baby food
36pk parents choice diapers
hair gel
total: 15.90
coupon savings: 1.00
2/8 Smiths
(2)Boxes rice krispie treats
Nos energy drink
(2)pks cookie dough
cough drops
Snap pea crisps(ive been wanting to try these...i thought i could only get them at bulk from amazon since i live in a small town! they were even on markdown!)
2 liter Dr. Pepper
Breyers Ice Cream
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Sunday Paper
Total: 7.26$
coupon/store savings: 20.12$
Left of Budget: 139.44$
Friday, February 6, 2009
Blahhhh
I hate being super lazy....so I ended it today. I had a bunch of stuff to do, and got most of it done. I'm just waiting on laundry to dry. Zack even vacummed for me!
So, I also went grocery shopping yesterday...but since I live in Utah and the wind SUCKS, my recipt blew away. I had to pick up other items that are not included in my grocery budget...so there for, I dont know the EXACT total. Its going to drive me NUTS! I have to estimate. AHHHH.
I also made a bunch of Valentines day gifts. :) Maybe I'll take a picture. I had alot of fun.
My son has been asleep for a few hours..and im so bored. That kid has been at my hip since day 1. LOL sometimes I'm praying for a naptime, and now I want him to wake up so we can play!
So, I also went grocery shopping yesterday...but since I live in Utah and the wind SUCKS, my recipt blew away. I had to pick up other items that are not included in my grocery budget...so there for, I dont know the EXACT total. Its going to drive me NUTS! I have to estimate. AHHHH.
I also made a bunch of Valentines day gifts. :) Maybe I'll take a picture. I had alot of fun.
My son has been asleep for a few hours..and im so bored. That kid has been at my hip since day 1. LOL sometimes I'm praying for a naptime, and now I want him to wake up so we can play!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Day 33 FTJ Bootcamp Activity
Can you tell I'm playing catch up? Copied!
Identify Time Wasters
A big part in reclaiming the life you were meant to live is to eliminate things that are wasteful. In prior steps we’ve already focused on eliminating wasteful spending. We’ve also focused on decluttering to eliminate unused and irrelevant things from your home. In doing so, you’re able to use your money and your space more efficiently. But we haven’t yet focused on time – another great resource that is often wasted.
The way we view time is a lot like how we view money: there’s never enough. But yet when we really sit back and analyze how we’re spending it, we’re almost always guilty of being wasteful in one way or another. It’s like money: those who get the most out their time are the ones who see its value.
Don’t let inefficient use of time get in the way of a more meaningful life. The less time you waste the more time you’ll have to spend on things that nurture you: your friends, family, and hobbies.
What are some of your biggest time wasters?
• Computer
Set limits on your computer time. Don’t constantly check your e-mail. Instead, pick one or two times during the day to check it and respond back. Spam can also be a huge time hog. Use a spam filter or keep an alternate e-mail account for ordering online and other commercial purposes. Keep surfing at a minimum. Set a timer when you do surf to limit it to a certain amount.
• Turn off the TV
Keep the TV turned off if you’re not watching it in order to avoid being sucked in. Use a digital recording service (such as TiVo) that will enable you to skip through commercials. Not only will you eliminate channel surfing, you can watch an hour-long show in 40 minutes or a half-hour show in 20.
• Let the Answering Machine Pick Up
If you have an answering machine, let it pick up. Set a designated time to return phone calls. Respond by e-mail if you can to save even more time. Using a caller ID service can help you avoid taking calls from telemarketers.
• Organize Errand Running
Organize errands and limit shopping to 1-2 times per week. Plan your family’s meals ahead of time and make sure you have the ingredients on hand avoiding unnecessary trips to the store. Anticipate future needs such as clothing, birthday cards and gifts as well.
• Shop Online
Not only can shopping online help you save money on gas, it prevents unnecessary wear and tear on your car. Many grocery stores are recognizing the time demands of families today and are offering delivery service for your grocery order.
Assignment: For the next few days, track of the things you do on a daily basis that you would consider time wasters. Then, come up with a plan to eliminate excess time spent on them.
* I really have a computer problem. Its pretty sad. And if its not the computer, its my xbox...that thing calls my name!
*I do have a DVR, but somethings I gotta watch when they are actually on! Sometimes I will wait 5-10 minutes so I can fast forward though most of the commercials.
*Thank goodness for Cell phones! My phone does EVERYTHING...email, chat, IM, text(of course), internet
*I usually run errands when I do my grocery shopping. I live 20 minutes away from town. Blah.
*I wish I could get delivered my groceries...sometimes. I enjoy getting out of the house for grocery shopping LOL Most everything else comes from online though. I live in a tiny town...without a mall.
Identify Time Wasters
A big part in reclaiming the life you were meant to live is to eliminate things that are wasteful. In prior steps we’ve already focused on eliminating wasteful spending. We’ve also focused on decluttering to eliminate unused and irrelevant things from your home. In doing so, you’re able to use your money and your space more efficiently. But we haven’t yet focused on time – another great resource that is often wasted.
The way we view time is a lot like how we view money: there’s never enough. But yet when we really sit back and analyze how we’re spending it, we’re almost always guilty of being wasteful in one way or another. It’s like money: those who get the most out their time are the ones who see its value.
Don’t let inefficient use of time get in the way of a more meaningful life. The less time you waste the more time you’ll have to spend on things that nurture you: your friends, family, and hobbies.
What are some of your biggest time wasters?
• Computer
Set limits on your computer time. Don’t constantly check your e-mail. Instead, pick one or two times during the day to check it and respond back. Spam can also be a huge time hog. Use a spam filter or keep an alternate e-mail account for ordering online and other commercial purposes. Keep surfing at a minimum. Set a timer when you do surf to limit it to a certain amount.
• Turn off the TV
Keep the TV turned off if you’re not watching it in order to avoid being sucked in. Use a digital recording service (such as TiVo) that will enable you to skip through commercials. Not only will you eliminate channel surfing, you can watch an hour-long show in 40 minutes or a half-hour show in 20.
• Let the Answering Machine Pick Up
If you have an answering machine, let it pick up. Set a designated time to return phone calls. Respond by e-mail if you can to save even more time. Using a caller ID service can help you avoid taking calls from telemarketers.
• Organize Errand Running
Organize errands and limit shopping to 1-2 times per week. Plan your family’s meals ahead of time and make sure you have the ingredients on hand avoiding unnecessary trips to the store. Anticipate future needs such as clothing, birthday cards and gifts as well.
• Shop Online
Not only can shopping online help you save money on gas, it prevents unnecessary wear and tear on your car. Many grocery stores are recognizing the time demands of families today and are offering delivery service for your grocery order.
Assignment: For the next few days, track of the things you do on a daily basis that you would consider time wasters. Then, come up with a plan to eliminate excess time spent on them.
* I really have a computer problem. Its pretty sad. And if its not the computer, its my xbox...that thing calls my name!
*I do have a DVR, but somethings I gotta watch when they are actually on! Sometimes I will wait 5-10 minutes so I can fast forward though most of the commercials.
*Thank goodness for Cell phones! My phone does EVERYTHING...email, chat, IM, text(of course), internet
*I usually run errands when I do my grocery shopping. I live 20 minutes away from town. Blah.
*I wish I could get delivered my groceries...sometimes. I enjoy getting out of the house for grocery shopping LOL Most everything else comes from online though. I live in a tiny town...without a mall.
Day 31 and 32 FTJ Bootcamp Activity
Copied From MS:
Wills & Insurance
Day Thirty-One: Wills
According to Bankrate.com 57% of Americans do not have a will even though most realize the importance of having one (76%). If you have a family, creating a will is the ultimate act in ensuring their security and long-term well being. Additionally, it saves surviving family members from having to make tough decisions on your behalf. If you don’t have a will, the state decides what happens to your house, finances, and even your children. In many cases, their decisions aren’t in line with what your wishes and desires would be.
Once you create a will, revisit it every few years to make sure it is up to date. Any major life changes such as births, deaths, and divorce are times when re-evaluating is a must. In most cases you won’t have to redraft the entire will but instead amend it with a codicil.
Day Thirty Two: Insurance
If you haven’t re-evaluated your insurance policies lately there could be some gaps in your coverage leaving you financially vulnerable. Births, deaths, homes rising in value can all be reasons to tweak your coverage – but you may simply want to shop around to see if you can lower your rates. Treat insurance as a necessity, not a luxury. Here are some tips to avoid common insurance blunders:
• Avoid Being Underinsured
Just because you already have insurance doesn’t mean it’s is the right insurance. If you have a policy through your employer, it may not be enough. A good rule of thumb for life insurance is to carry an amount 7 to 10 times your annual salary. Being underinsured can expose you to the same types of financial risks as not being insured at all. Do you have enough homeowner’s insurance to replace your home and its contents in the event of a disaster? Should you have supplemental flood or earthquake insurance?
• Get the Correct Amount of Life Insurance
Life insurance is designed to protect dependents if a breadwinner were to die. However, if you’re a stay at home parent your spouse would have to pay someone to replace what you do (take care of the kids while your spouse is at work, for example) if you were no longer around. Consider those needs when calculating how much insurance your family really needs. Who probably doesn’t need life insurance? Your kids. While losing a child is a tragedy, it’s not one that will put your family at financial risk.
• Disability Insurance
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that nearly one in five Americans will become disabled for a year or more before age 65. Since it’s more likely that you’ll become disabled than die early, making sure you are financially protected if you lose your ability to work is extremely important. If you or your spouse doesn’t have it, look into getting it.
Assignment: Do you have a will? If not, make a plan to get one in place. Are you properly insured? If not, plan to update your policies.
*We dont have a will yet. I wonder just how good that legalzoom.com works, and if it would be cheaper if we did it another way.
*We have Gerber Life Insurance on Rylan. His Grandma pays for it monthly. This would cover funeral expences if anything ever were to happen.
Wills & Insurance
Day Thirty-One: Wills
According to Bankrate.com 57% of Americans do not have a will even though most realize the importance of having one (76%). If you have a family, creating a will is the ultimate act in ensuring their security and long-term well being. Additionally, it saves surviving family members from having to make tough decisions on your behalf. If you don’t have a will, the state decides what happens to your house, finances, and even your children. In many cases, their decisions aren’t in line with what your wishes and desires would be.
Once you create a will, revisit it every few years to make sure it is up to date. Any major life changes such as births, deaths, and divorce are times when re-evaluating is a must. In most cases you won’t have to redraft the entire will but instead amend it with a codicil.
Day Thirty Two: Insurance
If you haven’t re-evaluated your insurance policies lately there could be some gaps in your coverage leaving you financially vulnerable. Births, deaths, homes rising in value can all be reasons to tweak your coverage – but you may simply want to shop around to see if you can lower your rates. Treat insurance as a necessity, not a luxury. Here are some tips to avoid common insurance blunders:
• Avoid Being Underinsured
Just because you already have insurance doesn’t mean it’s is the right insurance. If you have a policy through your employer, it may not be enough. A good rule of thumb for life insurance is to carry an amount 7 to 10 times your annual salary. Being underinsured can expose you to the same types of financial risks as not being insured at all. Do you have enough homeowner’s insurance to replace your home and its contents in the event of a disaster? Should you have supplemental flood or earthquake insurance?
• Get the Correct Amount of Life Insurance
Life insurance is designed to protect dependents if a breadwinner were to die. However, if you’re a stay at home parent your spouse would have to pay someone to replace what you do (take care of the kids while your spouse is at work, for example) if you were no longer around. Consider those needs when calculating how much insurance your family really needs. Who probably doesn’t need life insurance? Your kids. While losing a child is a tragedy, it’s not one that will put your family at financial risk.
• Disability Insurance
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that nearly one in five Americans will become disabled for a year or more before age 65. Since it’s more likely that you’ll become disabled than die early, making sure you are financially protected if you lose your ability to work is extremely important. If you or your spouse doesn’t have it, look into getting it.
Assignment: Do you have a will? If not, make a plan to get one in place. Are you properly insured? If not, plan to update your policies.
*We dont have a will yet. I wonder just how good that legalzoom.com works, and if it would be cheaper if we did it another way.
*We have Gerber Life Insurance on Rylan. His Grandma pays for it monthly. This would cover funeral expences if anything ever were to happen.
Emergency Fund
I've talked to Zack(the boyfriend, SO, lol whatever other names I call him) about saving for our emergency fund. We've both decided that 6,000$ is a good amount. We both agree on saving our tax refunds. He's getting 2,800$ and I'm getting...82$. LOL. Thats what happens when you have a premature baby. I had stopped working in May, so I got everything I paid in taxes back. Woo! 6,000$ is about 3 and a half months living expences.
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