Must be funny ... in a rich man's world. That my friends is a line from a song from arguably one of the greatest groups of all time - ABBA. But if you are anything like me, which you probably are a little or you wouldn't take the time out of your day to read my often incoherent ramblings; you like music, but you don't like numbers. Am I right? Can I get an AMEN! Numbers, are NOT our friends! Math has always been a sore spot for me. For some reason early on in life Math decided to hate me. I'm not sure what I ever did to it, but it has hated me ever since.
That being said, I do like money. Ever since my first babysitting take I've been hooked. Which is funny because there is a lot of math in money. So I guess you could say we have a love hate relationship. The love of working hard and earning a paycheck to do with what I choose, and the hate of having to calculate anything.
About a year ago, my husband, the brilliant mega-genius he is, decided to put us on a budget. That's kinda like putting my 30 pound overweight Great Dane on a diet. It's awesome on paper, but putting into action results in him eating countless boxes of just opened tissues and pooping Puff's for a week. It's been hard to say the least. Cutting spending on EVERYTHING to help get us out of the debt we're in. But ironically it's not from super over spending. Sure we bought things we pry didn't need when we didn't need them, but he has more regrets about that than I do. We've never been a couple to rack up 10 grand + in credit card debt. Nope. It's MY student loans. Awesome considering the fact that I don't have a job related to my degree. Well kinda, but now we're just arguing semantics and who cares. But isn't it ironic? You spend so much money to get the education everyone says you need to not get a job where you want and end up staying home taking care of a kid, then your husband puts you on a spending freeze so you can finally pay off all that money you thought was going toward the right things. It's not a run on if I say it's not. And I say it's not a run on!
So that brings us full circle. Okay it doesn't but I couldn't think of a better transition. Sue me. (Or don't because I don't have any money!) But many people, along with weight loss, include money in their New Year's Resolutions. So, here to help with that is None Other Than ME! *APPLAUSE APPLAUSE* I was at a Women's Conference many years ago and one of the speakers said something that to this day I have not forgotten. Probably because she made it easy to remember. Five things to do with your money. But before you learn those things, you must first know your money. Take a look at those pay stubs no one ever thinks they need, and study it. I really mean study it. Look it over, learn what each number on there means. What you make pre and post tax. It's painful sometimes, but it really will open our eyes. And if you don't know what it means, let me introduce you to a little something we like to call ... the Internets and Google! Look it up. If you have a spouse, make that commitment to sit down with them and go over the money together. Yeah for me I would rather get 72 cavities filled, or have Nathan - the kid who I was convinced would drown one day, as a private lesson again - I remember his name for a reason. But alas, my husb is the numbers guy - betcha didn't see that one comin. So it's a necessity - one I dread.
Next, divide your money into 5 categories. Save Some, Spend Some, Invest Some, Give Some Away and Tithe Some. It's so simple, but if you really pause and consider this, that's all you really need to do with money. Which is why you need to know your money.
Now the Tithe part, that may get some of you. If you're not Christian, or aren't into the church thing, this word means The First Tenth. God set forth back in the day a sort of agreement with people. As part of their obedience to Him and their acknowledgement that everything they have God blessed them with, they were supposed to give or sacrifice the first 10% of their earning to God. (In olden times that usually meant crops or animals, today it's money) This is probably the hardest for me to accept. I consider myself a relatively faithful Christian, but it's still hard for me to sit there and write that check. Especially since I know it's supposed to be 10% of my earning BEFORE tax! Yikes. But if it is one you can grasp, it is more than worth it. If you don't follow that kind of thing, then allocate this portion to other sections. But I highly recommend donating a portion to churches or other religious affiliations. Just, you know, throwin that out there.
The other areas are a lot less complex. Spend some. Obviously this will include bills. Know all of your monthly expenditures so that after you know what's coming in, you can know what's going out. Rent/Mortgage, car payment, utilities, cable, phone, insurance etc. Then look at what's left. After you decide on all the other categories there should be some left for you to spend on yourself. Going out to eat, movies, clothes, whatever your vice is! Save some. I don't think it can get more simple. Put some of your money into an account so it sits there. It can accrue interest or not, up to you, but put some away! Ever hear the saying saving it for a rainy day? Invest some. You might need some help in this area and that's okay. Put some of your money into something that will work for you. Invest it into something that will do something. And just so you know, some people consider investing in people, and that includes children. Give Some Away. Perhaps my favorite next to Spend Some - yeah I'm greedy! But at least I know it!!! Give some of your money to something worthy. Salvation Army. Girl Scouts. Not to toot my own horn, but once there were little Girl Scouts selling what was left of their cookie collection in the vestibule of a Giant Eagle. I walked in telling them I already bought some - which I had, but felt very guilty the whole store trip. On the way out I handed one of the mom volunteers the $2 I had with me, saying it's not enough for a whole box, but here you go. I can't help it, I was once a Girl Scout and I have the badges to prove it! Give some to a local charity. Just give to others. It's better than the best work out, meal, or shopping spree I've ever had. It feels right.
It may be shocking to you. So be prepared, but you shouldn't be spending or out putting more than you have coming in. That being said, in order to reach these 5 areas, you may have to make some cuts. My husband has officially cut everything in our house. We don't have TV, our phones are pre-paid, and if it isn't nailed down, it gets sold on ebay. But that's what helps make our house work, and gets my debt paid off before I retire.
I strongly encourage you to look into these. Even if they don't work for you, you don't like them, or you think I'm nuts. It's worth a shot to help get you where you want to be financially. And don't say rich, because that may not happen. Unless you win the lottery, which I've heard you have a better chance of getting hit by lightening than actually winning. But you know.
In the spirit of keeping Resolutions ... go forth and KNOW your MONEY!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
"Lay Off Me I'm Starving!"
Some of you might recognize the title of this from an SNL skit with Adam Sandler, David Spade and the infamous Chris Farley. The 3 play women who work at The Gap and are on a lunch break sharing french fries. One of the actors tells Chris Farley to slow down on the fries to which, Farley replies the famous line - "LAY OFF ME I'M STARVING!" in a very deep baritone. Classic. But there is a lot of truth in that scenario.
Ever notice that when you go too long and get to the point where you're so hungry you want to order one of everything on the menu, plus dessert. It's sabotage! Weight loss is always hard, and it's a topic I'll frequent because I love health and fitness but I also struggle with my weight. I'm usually pretty upfront about my imperfectness. (Yes I think it's a new word, one of my many. Maybe after this blog I should make my own dictionary.) But since the beginning of the new year, I've been heeding my own awesome words of wisdom and workin the weight loss plan. *Insert self perpetuated pat on the back here! * I actually finally saw my pre-pregnancy weight on the scale the other day, for the first time, since, well I got pregnant! VICTORY IS MINE! I don't care if it IS 2 years overdue. Stop judging me! I said I wasn't perfect! Oh so now you're gonna stop reading my blog. Well fine!
Woah, what happened. Okay so I'm down a few pounds, awesome, but I've got a lot more to go! And one of the greatest things I'm learning this bout, is to not wait until I'm ravenous to eat. I have to eat before I'm hungry. Think of it this way, when you're post op (Post Operation for the lay) you're supposed to take your pain meds (medicine) every so many hours as per doctors instructions. It's not just to help with the current pain you feel, but to help PREVENT the pain. If you eat when you need to before you're hungry, you will eat what you need to, not what you want to.
I mean, we probably have all been there, whether we admit it or not! Goin out to eat and you didn't eat all day and you order apps, entree, dessert then get popcorn at the movie! Ugh, a good day wasted, when you could have eaten steadily all day and had a sensible dinner. Not only will your metabolism thank you, but well your metabolism will thank you. It's much easier to spend an entire day burning calories consumed at breakfast than it is to digest and burn those frosted flakes you had at 10:30 last night. If you wait, you'll eat like a monster.
Now we all have days where we forget to eat ... Oh wait that's just my husband and size-0-at-nine-months-pregnant sister in law. (Yeah my other sister in law and I want to punch her too ... just kiddin, she's beautiful and we love her!) But there are times where we avoid eating to save calories, or "don't have time" or any of the other excuses we tell ourselves. But the truth of the matter is, you need to find a way to eat. Unstable eating patterns tell your body "I don't know when we're getting fuel next pal, so start eating the fat where all the nutrition is." I don't have any clever analogies for this one, even though I thought about it.
But you should know that your body does attack your muscle supply first when you go with out eating. It's where the most nutrients are. So if you think your fat is melting off, it's not that easy. Look at it this way, people who suffer from anorexia tend to have severe heart problems. Why you say? Well your heart is a muscle and it gets very stressed when constantly being worked out with no fuel coming in. It's a matter of fact Jack! (Who's Jack? No one, don't interrupt me I'm on a roll over here!)
So here's my best advice. If you struggle keeping regular meal times, choose things that are easy to eat, any where any time. Suggestion: Nature Valley Protein bars. Oh mama these things are tasty and they do have a a bunch of protein and yes some fat to fuel the fire baby. Pair this with some veggies or fruit and you've got yourself an impromptu meal on the go my friend. Easy Peasy!
So next time you wait until you're stomach feels like it's eating itself, call yourself stupid in my voice, and try not to eat an entire village.
In the mean time, I'll be doing the same. It's really working for me so far. My portion control is MUCH more in balance, and I feel better. Mostly because I don't feel like I'm dieting, I'm just eating better and I'm not hungry!! WOOT ... I get grumpy when I get hungry. Well I'm always grumpy, but yeah you got it, okay.
Stay the course skinny you!!! This year ... Really IS the year!
Ever notice that when you go too long and get to the point where you're so hungry you want to order one of everything on the menu, plus dessert. It's sabotage! Weight loss is always hard, and it's a topic I'll frequent because I love health and fitness but I also struggle with my weight. I'm usually pretty upfront about my imperfectness. (Yes I think it's a new word, one of my many. Maybe after this blog I should make my own dictionary.) But since the beginning of the new year, I've been heeding my own awesome words of wisdom and workin the weight loss plan. *Insert self perpetuated pat on the back here! * I actually finally saw my pre-pregnancy weight on the scale the other day, for the first time, since, well I got pregnant! VICTORY IS MINE! I don't care if it IS 2 years overdue. Stop judging me! I said I wasn't perfect! Oh so now you're gonna stop reading my blog. Well fine!
Woah, what happened. Okay so I'm down a few pounds, awesome, but I've got a lot more to go! And one of the greatest things I'm learning this bout, is to not wait until I'm ravenous to eat. I have to eat before I'm hungry. Think of it this way, when you're post op (Post Operation for the lay) you're supposed to take your pain meds (medicine) every so many hours as per doctors instructions. It's not just to help with the current pain you feel, but to help PREVENT the pain. If you eat when you need to before you're hungry, you will eat what you need to, not what you want to.
I mean, we probably have all been there, whether we admit it or not! Goin out to eat and you didn't eat all day and you order apps, entree, dessert then get popcorn at the movie! Ugh, a good day wasted, when you could have eaten steadily all day and had a sensible dinner. Not only will your metabolism thank you, but well your metabolism will thank you. It's much easier to spend an entire day burning calories consumed at breakfast than it is to digest and burn those frosted flakes you had at 10:30 last night. If you wait, you'll eat like a monster.
Now we all have days where we forget to eat ... Oh wait that's just my husband and size-0-at-nine-months-pregnant sister in law. (Yeah my other sister in law and I want to punch her too ... just kiddin, she's beautiful and we love her!) But there are times where we avoid eating to save calories, or "don't have time" or any of the other excuses we tell ourselves. But the truth of the matter is, you need to find a way to eat. Unstable eating patterns tell your body "I don't know when we're getting fuel next pal, so start eating the fat where all the nutrition is." I don't have any clever analogies for this one, even though I thought about it.
But you should know that your body does attack your muscle supply first when you go with out eating. It's where the most nutrients are. So if you think your fat is melting off, it's not that easy. Look at it this way, people who suffer from anorexia tend to have severe heart problems. Why you say? Well your heart is a muscle and it gets very stressed when constantly being worked out with no fuel coming in. It's a matter of fact Jack! (Who's Jack? No one, don't interrupt me I'm on a roll over here!)
So here's my best advice. If you struggle keeping regular meal times, choose things that are easy to eat, any where any time. Suggestion: Nature Valley Protein bars. Oh mama these things are tasty and they do have a a bunch of protein and yes some fat to fuel the fire baby. Pair this with some veggies or fruit and you've got yourself an impromptu meal on the go my friend. Easy Peasy!
So next time you wait until you're stomach feels like it's eating itself, call yourself stupid in my voice, and try not to eat an entire village.
In the mean time, I'll be doing the same. It's really working for me so far. My portion control is MUCH more in balance, and I feel better. Mostly because I don't feel like I'm dieting, I'm just eating better and I'm not hungry!! WOOT ... I get grumpy when I get hungry. Well I'm always grumpy, but yeah you got it, okay.
Stay the course skinny you!!! This year ... Really IS the year!
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