Day 11: Preparing Yourself For the Future
 
Are you ready for life after work? So many people dream of special vacation moments. Moments during their retirement stage, when they’re able to cruise or fly around the world. Moments, which will allow them to commence a new business venture or spend fun times with their adult children and their grandchildren. Prior to these moments becoming reality, there are some important steps that you must take NOW to prepare yourself for all the wonderful things retirement has to offer. In order to start preparing yourself, you must first ask yourself, What is my Retirement Strategy? If you don’t have an answer to this question, then you will soon realize that there is work to be done! Today, begin a new chapter in your life towards a bright retirement future! The following are steps to assist you in preparation for your future retirement:

1.Contribute at least the match amount of money offered by your company; matching is free money, so why  “leave it on the table.”
2.Compound Interest could be your best friend, you never knew you had. Make sure when you are choosing a fund that you evaluate the expense ratio and re-evaluate your funds  annually.
3.Make sure you live a debt free life. 🙂
4.Live a healthy life. Ultimately, this will reduce your spending on doctor’s visits/medication during retirement.
5.Plan out your ideal retirement; start strategizing the average costs of such things as your yearly property taxes, health or car insurances.

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke The Conscious Spender

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Day 10:  Who knew?

Before I went off to college, my mother gave me a few laundry lessons. Like most people, I ruined a few items while learning Laundry 101. This was due to the fact that I failed to separate the clothes properly by color and texture. I even shrunk a few pieces of clothing along the way, during this learning process. Now, did my mom realize that she was teaching me more than just a lesson in laundry? Probably not! She didn’t realize that she was educating me on how to save money. Hence, the more you take the time to wash your clothes correctly and with due care, the more money you will save and be able to add to your bank account.

As I thought about this important laundry lesson, a “light bulb” came on in my head and I began to reflect on the sewing lessons, I received over the years. When I make minor alterations on my clothes, I keep money in my bank account. How? When I make minor alterations on my clothes, I give less money away to the nearby dry cleaners. So, the next time you are doing laundry remember you are not just washing clothes, but instead you are investing in yourself and negating that needless trip to the mall.  

If you are in need of some helpful clothing care instructions:

 http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/569/the-when-to-wash-it-handbook/

P.S. Thanks Mommy!!!!

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender

 

Day 9: Something Fun, Something New and Something Chic!

 

Have you ever attended a Clothes Swap? I’m letting you in on a secret, this is the new buzz around town! This is how Clothes Swaps work: You bring your lightly worn clothes to a swap location, and begin exchanging your clothes items with other people, who want to obtain and exchange their lightly worn clothes. Some Clothes Swaps are so much fun that it’s like being at a really fun party; food, drinks, and laughs are served, while a new set of lightly worn clothes are exchanged.

 

Spring is here, while Summer is just around the corner. Next Saturday, break out of your shell, venture out and attend your first clothes swap. Now, if the idea of clothes swapping with “total strangers,” makes you a little uneasy, then initiate a clothes swap event amongst your family and friends.

 

Hint: 

Don’t forget to get Summer wear for your child at the Clothes Swap.

Swapping will save you lots of money and keep thousands of dollars in your bank account.

 

Here are a few Clothes Swap websites:

www.swapstyle.com The oldest website for swapping. It’s free besides shipping.

http://www.zwaggle.com Swapping site just for kids stuff

 

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender

Day 8: Money Thoughts

Words? People always say that Words have power. But who gives power to these words? YOU DO!

From this moment on, when talking about money, give positive power to the words you speak. Manifestation Coach Shantel Springer teaches individuals how to Master their Belief Systems (M.B.S).  What does this mean? She affirms that a person’s belief system is the actual set of precepts from which he or she lives their daily life; these percepts govern their thoughts, words and actions. When you as an individual are able to identify what limited beliefs have been keeping you from experiencing prosperity, or living an abundant life, then and only then will you be able to start transforming your life into the “Life of your Dreams.”

I say there is no better time than the present! Change any negative percepts you have about your current financial situation. Embrace the decision to change your thoughts,  begin to create your positive money affirmations, then repeat these affirmations daily, in order to create your healthy financial thoughts.

 Here are a few affirmations that you can start utilizing:

1.       I am wealthy!

2.       I am debt free!

3.       My children are money smart!

 Visit Coach Shantel Springer The Trusted Authority in M.B.S. “Mastering your Belief System”  www.100daysofgratitude.com

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender

Day 7: Share It!!!!

I should have created a video, which showed me screaming, the words “SHARE IT!” at the top of my lungs. Nevertheless, I think you understand these words quite simply.  “Sharing” is one of the first lessons we learn as children. As a child, my mother would say constantly, “Share it with your brother.” I’m sure that during your childhood years, you learned this same principle. However, as we mature into adults we seem to forget this key principle. From this day forward, make a pledge to add the act of sharing to your financial plan. Teach a child the importance of sharing their toys, food and other possessions, as well as the act of giving to charities.

Trust me, when you give you will receive more than you could ever imagine!

Day 8 is right around the corner! 

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender

Day 6:  No Debt Zone

Everyday I get more and more excited because YOU are well on your way to a strong financial future. But wait, Are you debt free yet?  If the answer to this question is no, then you need to Create a NO DEBT ZONE in your life. Once you develop this zone, watch your finances begin to SOAR. There are many helpful financial articles out there that can assist you in this new venture. Check out Lynnette Klanfani-Cox The Zero Debt online course and her Debt Free mindset article. As you know, I am a strong believer that it all starts in the mind. Being debt free opens the door to endless possibilities, that’s why you are establishing “Conscious” financial habits in your life. See you tomorrow for Day 7!

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender

http://creditcarddebt2010.com/2010/02/introduction-to-zero-debt/

http://www.walletpop.com/2011/04/06/debt-free-how-to-create-the-right-mindset-to-get-out-of-debt/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 Day 5: Budget
 
The term BUDGET is a word that most people love to hate.  I call it the medicine for your finances. It can make you feel better or act as vitamin that keeps you healthy. Once you create your budget, your budget should become your companion; in hindsight this relationship should be considered more than just a friendship. Today, take a journey with THE BUDGETNISTA , as she explains the Need it, Love it, Like it and Want it factors of budgeting your Money. These key factors will assist you in “sticking” to your created budget. THE BUDGETNISTA has a special gift for you. This special gift, which is a fun-filled, but useful activity will help you stay on the right track.

As always include a child in this fun activity. Teach them the Need it and Love it factors that they can use when deciding what to do with their allowance! 

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender

April is the month to get your finances in order. 30 days of tips. Happy Birthday  to your money!!!!!

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender

Day 4: Earn it!!!
 
When I work with children, I emphasize to them 4 key money factors; earn it, store it, grow it and share it!;earning being the primary factor. Earning  money is the core of a person’s financial picture. It’s the root of all the other money factors. So, what can you do to earn more money?
 
First, utilize your talents to earn more money. Second, learn how to negotiate for a higher salary. Third, further your education; I’m not only referring to secondary education. What books have you read lately? What type of training or seminars are you attending? Lastly, are you the best employee in your office or in your industry? Basically, the more you attract customers to your business, the more money you will earn! The more money you earn, the more possibilities you will have at your disposal to do great things with the money you’ve earned!
  
Now, these are simple principles that you can teach a child, and in return you will develop a financial genius.

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender

Day 3: Spring cleaning

Are you faithfully managing your finances? This week, set aside some time, to review and organize your finances. Now, it’s the first of the month! Have you scheduled the automatic payments for your mortgage,rent,association fee, or automobile insurance fees?  Which bills can you eliminate?  What bills can you decrease? April 18th is fast approaching! Have you filed your taxes yet? If not, then why? It’s time to get your finances in order!   Spring is in the air, so it’s time to discard the old and embrace the new!

Consciously serving you,

Shareeke Edmead-Nesi The Conscious Spender