Then, factor in the fact that most adults need at least  7-8 hours sleeping each night, I’m spending about half of my life working and sleeping.

Freeing up your schedule to make more time for yourself requires effort, but your ‘me time’ and peace of mind is definitely worth it. Here are 4 ways to make it happen.

Reschedule Your Schedule

Using some type of planner, organizer, or spreadsheet to keep yourself organized is a must. I usually jot down things I need to do each day in my planner and then check them off when I’ve completed them. It’s safe to say that 90% of the things I write down have little to do with spending time with myself and relaxing.

First, find something that you want to do alone whether it’s meditating, going for a run, making pottery, reading or doing a craft. Then, instead of organizing your day around your biggest work tasks, organize your day around that one activity so that it’s prioritized and officially in your schedule. Gotta make it official in order to have time for it!

Related: How to Use the Living Well Planner to Meet Your Goals

Take 10

Take 10 minutes each day to get organized. Figure out what errands you need to run, who you need to call, and what absolutely needs to be done throughout the week and how you plan to do it. Taking a few minutes to organize your thoughts and plan your next move could literally save you hours.

I always waste the most time when I’m feeling unorganized and haven’t planned out my day properly. A 10-minute mandatory reset easily fixes this.

Get Comfortable With Saying No

No is a hard word for some people, but it’s necessary because you can’t do everything for everyone. Get comfortable with saying no so you can have more time for yourself and other priorities.

Think of it this way. Every time you say no to something you didn’t want to do or simply don’t have time for, it means you’re saying yes to something else (Ie. Yourself). Try to help others in a way that’s comfortable and realistic for you. Then, if something doesn’t fit with your schedule, be okay with the word no.

The more you practice this, the easier it will get and you’ll feel better for it.

Plan a Solo Date

Have you ever has a solo date before? A solo date is just like a regular date, only with yourself. You can go somewhere or stay right at home. Plan to eat your favorite meal or do an activity that you enjoy. Try to steer away from watching a movie and truly take the time to enjoy your own company.

You can paint, draw, go for a walk or try out an indoor rock climbing gym. Solo dates can allow you to reflect on what’s important and say yes to the things you value.

Related: Self-Care: My New Not So Guilty Pleasure to Spend Money On

Outsource, Delegate Tasks

Do you ever feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew? I’ll admit, I have my overachiever/people-pleasing moments. When you’re feeling overwhelmed and short on time constantly it may be time to get some help. Think about what tasks you can outsource or delegate to others. This may involve hiring some help to free up your time, but it also doesn’t have to involve spending money at all.

Do you have friends or family who help you out? Can your spouse or significant other split up tasks with you? I know when I first started blogging, I felt overwhelmed with setting everything up and the whole idea of keeping up on social media (primarily Twitter and updating Pinterest constantly).

So I reached out to my little sister for help. Yup, my little sis saved the day Teens have more free time and less worries and they are masters at social media surprisingly.

Another big secret is that even though I’m in charge of keeping our grocery budget low and planning meals, I don’t cook dinner every night. If I had to come home from work and cook dinner every single day I’d be a hot mess. A few months back I ended up teaching Ray how to cook some of our favorite meals and he’s gotten pretty good.

Whoever gets home first usually gets dinner going. We usually split up cooking and chores each week so neither of us get overwhelmed with housework. It’s definitely a team effort.

Related: Frugal Meal Ideas That Are Easy to Prep

How I Outsource to Save Time and Money

Eliminate Distractions and Time Wasting Activities

Getting caught up in time wasting activities is a big ongoing issue for me. Sometimes I’m checking Facebook or even my email and it ends up being a 20-30 minute browsing session. Big waste of time!

Another major distraction is when I’m writing at home and watching T.V. I’m so easily distracted that I’ve ended up watching television instead of finishing up my work and it took twice as much time as I had originally planned for.

I know how productive I work when there are no distractions, so I’ve started setting a timer when I do certain things. This isn’t to rush myself, but to motivate myself to stay focused and avoid wasting any time. I also usually start with a somewhat easy task first to get myself in ‘work mode’ then I go ahead and tackle the most difficult task to get it out of the way.

If you need to deactivate social media for a while to free up your time, I’d say do it. If there are certain websites that distract you, block them for a short period of time.

Also, if there’s a certain friend (who means well) that tends to want to talk endlessly when you’re in the middle of completing something be honest but nice and let them know what you’re working on and schedule a time to talk later.

How do you make more time for yourself and what do you like to do?

The post 6 Ways to Make More Time For Yourself first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 6 Ways to Make More Time For Yourself appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

I’ve always been a planner. I love organization and knowing what’s next in life for me. Oh, and I’m a writer so I prefer to write things out. I work online for a living, but for some reason, physically writing things down makes it all feel more official for me.

As you can probably tell by now, this is why I’m obsessed with planners. I’ve been using planners for several years now. I started by purchasing a random $1 planner at the dollar store out of frustration. I had so much going on at the time and felt like my life was an absolute mess.

Some days I had no idea what I was doing, when I was doing it, what I was going to eat that day, or what my overall goals were. It was frustrating to go through life feeling like a hot mess. So I started with the cheapest planner I could find.

Each year, I got a new planner and they kept getting better and better. But it wasn’t until I bought the Living Well Planner last year that I became obsessed.

I purchased the Living Well Planner during a holiday sale and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made to date. I’ve used the planner every day this year and it’s pretty much changed my life. I don’t write a ton of reviews on this blog, but this Living Well Planner review is much needed even if it can help one person get organized and gain clarity on their life.

In this Living Well Planner review, I’ll cover:

• What the planner includes
• What makes it different from ANY other planner I’ve come across
• How to use it
• Bonus extras you don’t want to miss out on
• What I like about it
• What I don’t like about it
• Who the planner is best for

Why This Isn’t Just Any Old Day Planner

The Living Well Planner was designed by Ruth Soukup who is a popular blogging and organization guru who runs the site Living Well Spending Less. She’s also authored tons of books including one of my favorite, How to Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul.

If you have a blog, you’ve probably heard of Ruth as she is a top authority figure in the blogging space. I mention this because Ruth’s expertise shines through with the Living Well Planner.

She’s a super successful blogger and businesswoman who’s figured out how to juggle multiple responsibilities all while still prioritizing family, health, and financial security.

Here are just a few categories on her blog that demonstrate how she helps women make their lives simpler, richer, and more organized.

Another thing that helps this planner stand out from others is the fact that it’s geared toward helping you reach your goals. Goals are exciting to set in the beginning, but they are often hard to stick to over time.

Other planners simply help you organize and plan out your day. The Living Well Planner does this and more because it comes with goal planning worksheets to use each month. This planner is different because it helps you:

• Get organized
• Plan out your goals and prioritize them
• Improve your overall life

I’ve used these worksheets to plan ideas for my business and life that eventually came to fruition throughout the year.

What the Living Well Planner Includes

The planner definitely gives you a lot to work with for your money and the way I see it, the more features, the better.

First, you have your typical calendar view pages for the year and the month. You can preview dates for the current year as well as future years. There’s also space to store important information and phone numbers and to jot down important dates to remember each month.

There’s also a classic Notes section at the end of each month – a must for me because I love to jot down random things throughout the week and need a space to do it.

Core Features:

• Year at a glance
• Monthly goals section – set your top three goals along with goals to achieve in different areas of your life like personal growth, health and fitness, financial etc.
• Goal Crushing Worksheet for each month
• Project Planning and Brainstorming worksheet for each month
• Monthly Budget Pages
• Weekly planning section where you can break down your schedule by the hour
• Space to plan out your meals for the day  – no more wondering what’s for dinner!
• Thoughts and Thanks – a space to record reflections and gratitude

How to Use the Living Well Planner

So, now that you know all the features and pages that come with the planner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t be.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the planner came with a warm welcome from Ruth along with instructions for how to best use the pages to get organized and have an amazing year.

I’ve used the planner to meet so many goals this year. Some of which included:

• Planning and executing my first webinar
• Reading 10 books whereas I couldn’t find the time or motivation to read just 1 during previous years
• Decluttering my apartment and actually buying our first house! – planning that move was a beast!
• Saving $15,000+ in 10 months (for our house and to top off my emergency fund)
• Losing 15 pounds
• Practicing intuitive eating
• Creating my course, Love Your Budget in just 2 months
• Going on a cruise with my husband to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary
• Completing a 13-week class at my church
• Partnering with a youth organization to speak to high school students about entrepreneurship
• Teaching my son how to ride a bike over the summer
• Getting my life insurance broker license (which required passing a state exam) in just 1 month
• Attending 2 conferences
• Crossing a major bucket list item off by seeing my all-time favorite artist in concert in California
• Rebranding this blog
• Creating new 2 new freebie offers for blog readers
• Writing my first fiction ebook

Related: How We’re Avoiding Becoming House Poor

Why and How to Create an Annual Budget

How to Make Money With a Blog or Niche Site

Writing all of those things out was a pleasant surprise because I didn’t even realize I’d accomplished that much this year. I simply just flipped through my planner and viewed my monthly goal sheets to gather all of these accomplishments.

I’ve improved my life in so many different ways from professional and huge milestones to personal growth, health and fitness and finance.

This is another reason why I love the planner. When you use it correctly, it’s difficult to feel like you didn’t make any progress for the year. So how do you use it exactly?

How I Use the Planner

I start at the beginning of the month with the Monthly Goal worksheet. I jot down my top 3 goals for the month and sometimes this requires some thought because I need to narrow down my ambitions. Then, I categorize smaller goals into various different areas of my life.

Next, I narrow down a top goal and get straight to work.

I often use the Goal Crushing Worksheet if I’m going after a goal that requires a lot of work or determination. If I’m planning a project for my business, I use the Project Planning and Brainstorming sheet as well.

• I don’t use the Monthly Budget sheet much as I use my own budget worksheets since I find them more versatile, but I do like that this is an option.
• I use the Month at a Glance page to plan out my month and highlight important dates. This is more of a general section so I don’t get too specific with anything on this page.
• The section that I use the most is the Weekly Planning section. This is where I write out my daily schedule. There is space to plan out your day by the hour which is one of the top things that attracted me to this planner. I love to be intentional with my time because time is a valuable resource that we can’t get back.
• With planners I used in the past, sometimes I’d get frustrated at the small space allotted to list out your tasks for the day. Once I filled in the white space, I was still confused because I didn’t know what to do first.
• With the Living Well Planner, I take advantage of being able to plan out my day by the hour so I know what I’m working on in the morning, when I’m taking breaks, and why I transition to another task. Below the hourly planning section is a space where you can list your top 3 priorities for the day. Below that, there is space to plan out your meals.
• Using the meal planning section when I was trying to lose weight was helpful because knowing I had food prepped and ready to go helped me avoid the temptation of eating unhealthy stuff.

Bonuses

I can’t finish this Living Well Planner review without sharing some of the bonuses that even most people who use the Planner don’t know about.

The planner comes with Weekly Wizard and Daily Do It sticky notes FREE. I got these last year with my planner and they are helpful for people who really want to narrow their focus down and accomplish one major thing for the day or focus on meeting a deadline.

For example, let’s say you were racing against the deadline for open enrollment (which just ended by the way). These sticky note sets would be great for organizing what you need to do in order to lock in the healthcare plan you wanted in time.

Ordering this planner also gives you access to a private Facebook group along with video and email content providing you with more instruction to help you get the best use out of this planner.

I love that Ruth provides this instead of just selling the planner and expecting you to make it work. She really wants you to use this planner to help you succeed.

What I Like About It

Here are some of my top pros for the Living Well Planner:

• Fun and colorful appearance
• Structured and organized – it comes with plenty of instruction to make sure you use it properly
• Goal setting worksheets to help you stay on track – encourage you to improve every area of your life
• Can plan your days by the hour for better daily task management
• Available space to prioritize your goals and plan out meals

What I Don’t Like About It

There are a few things I wish could be improved about the planner, including:

• The size – I use my planner every day and take it with me but sometimes the size of it has been inconvenient as I can’t fit it into a smaller purse, so I have to carry it or keep it in my car. It’s not heavy at all but it’s about the same size as a notebook so probably not travel size friendly.
• The calendar weeks start on Monday – This actually doesn’t bother me much, but it may throw some people off if you’re used to Sunday – Saturday weekly planning
• You have to set the planner up yourself – The planner comes as a blank slate. You have to use the stickers and labels provided to create markers for the months, and you must write in the dates on the monthly overview and weekly planning pages. Again, I don’t mind this given all the pros, but it can seem tedious to do this every month so you may want to just fill out the dates and months for the entire year in one sitting.

Who Is This Planner Best For

Overall, I’d still give the Living Well Planner a 10 out of 10. That’s because I feel it’s the best planner I’ve ever purchased and that could be because I’m the right type of person for the planner.

So who would best benefit from using this planner?

I’d say it’s someone who’s goal-orientated, but has a lot going on. Perhaps you’re tired of setting goals you never reach, or you’re just overwhelmed with your daily schedule and need direction.

This planner is also best for creatives (bloggers, entrepreneurs, side hustlers) and people who like to plan out projects and go after huge milestone goals.

I can also see busy moms getting good use out of this planner. You can plan out every aspect of your day, meals and even your personal development and leisure goals to create a well-rounded lifestyle.

There are always sales going on for  the Living Well Planner if you’re interested in grabbing one for yourself or a friend.

I asked my hubby to get me another one for Christmas This particular planner is also the priciest one I’ve ever purchased but it’s worth it for the results I got. I used it every single day of the year so that averaged out to just $0.10 per day for the value.

Are you using a planner for the new year? Why or why not?

The post How to Use the Living Well Planner to Meet Your Goals first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post How to Use the Living Well Planner to Meet Your Goals appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

This is so helpful when it comes to:

• Holding myself accountable
• Recognizing any necessary changes I need to my plan
• Narrowing down specific areas I can improve in

Earlier this year, I posted my financial goals on Instagram but I’ll be sharing them below in this post as I review my progress. If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to do a mid-year financial goal check-in. Months can go by so fast and before you know it, another year is starting. Luckily, it’s never too late to get back on track.

Here’s how my 2021 financial goals are shaping up.

Remodel Bathroom

This was a big goal I had this year as I felt like one of our bathrooms could have really used a facelift. Last year, we completed a ton of house projects so I wanted to slow down this year and just focus on the bathroom as our main thing.

We were able to get this entire project done in January of this year. Yay! Below is a before and after. I just loved how it turned out.

Our budget for this project was right around $5,000 and we were right on target. Yup, it’s a lot of money but it also helps to know that bathrooms and kitchens are key features when a buyer is considering a new home. Since we don’t plan on staying here forever, I’m pleased to see that bathroom remodels usually generate an ROI of 70% and add tons of value to your home.

Top Off Emergency Fund

I decided to take a slower approach with this goal and make monthly steady contributions. Yet, I’m still on target to reach this goal in just a few months. To be fair, our emergency fund was already pretty healthy at the start of this year and I just wanted to grow it a little more.

If you’re looking for specific strategies to help you grow your emergency fund, I’d highly recommend checking out my Emergency Fund Masterclass. This 4-part video class teaches you how to build a full emergency fund to learn on during unexpected times.

I don’t beat around the bush and instead get straight to the point when it comes to determining how much you’ll need, how to cut expenses, unique ways to boost your income, and how to streamline your progress so you can finally reach your savings goal once and for all.

Related: Why Do You Need a Full Emergency Fund?

Contribute $6,000 to IRA

This is another goal that I’m basically putting on autopilot so I can coast to the finish line. I’ve been contributing $500 per month to my IRA in order to max it out by the end of the year. Last month was my biggest challenge because it was an expensive month. However, I made sacrifices and still transferred my regular $500.

My hope is just to stay on track with this goal. With me turning 30 next year, I really don’t want to give myself any more breaks with investing or push off these goals.

If you haven’t opened an IRA yet, I’d highly recommend using Betterment. It’s a robo-advisor (with super low fees) that makes investing easy and I’ve been using this site for years.

Related: Have Debt But Want to Invest? Here’s What You Need to Know

Save $5,000 For Vanguard Account

After reading the book, The Simple Path to Wealth, I knew I wanted to invest in the Vanguard VTSAX which is a high-performing, low-fee index fund. After focusing on paying off debt and improving other areas of my finances, I was finally ready to deposit the minimum $3,000 to open my account.

I haven’t invested much more than that to date. So, to meet this goal, I’d need to contribute another $2,000 this year. There’s still plenty of time to do that so I’m hopeful. My account has already earned $30 and that’s just in a few months and without me making any extra deposits so I’m grateful for that!

Related: How to Start Investing in Stocks With No Regrets

Pay For Both Vacations in Cash

Done! I booked a spring break road trip with my family and it was so much fun. Then, my husband and I went to Gatlinburg, TN for our 5-year anniversary. Both trips were paid for in full and we didn’t accumulate any debt.

I don’t know if I’ll do any other traveling this year but perhaps a few smaller camping weekends or day trips are in the works.

Related: 10 Ways to Afford a $1,000 Vacation

How to Do a Mid-Year Check In On Your Financial Goals

A mid-year financial goals check-in doesn’t have to be solely about your goals. You can assess your overall financial health to get a full picture. Below are some steps I highly recommend taking if you’re looking to do a mid-year check-up and refocus.

• Review your budget history – Which months were harder than others to stay on track and why? Do you need to readjust some categories to better fit your current lifestyle?
• Check your subscriptions – Be honest about what you’re not using and what you may need to cancel to free up more money. Consider using a service like Billshark to help you cut unwanted subscriptions with no effort on your part
• Review savings and retirement accounts – Get up-to-date with tracking what you saved or invested. Review reports from your brokerage to see what your investments earned, what fees were charged, and if you need to make any adjustments to meet your goal for the year.
• Tweak your debt plan – Carefully assess your debt plan and consider what’s been working vs. what’s not working. Don’t ever be afraid to change things up or shift your focus from one debt to another.
• See how you feel about your emergency fund – Do you have enough emergency savings? Or do you need to add more to your savings account? Remember to check out my Emergency Fund masterclass if you’re serious about growing a full emergency fund ASAP.

Summary

Setting financial goals is just half of the battle. It takes a lot of discipline and accountability to be able to consistently work toward your goals and make process. Even then, life is unexpected and you never know what the future holds.

I’d love to learn more about what your financial goals are this year and how I can support you. Sometimes, just sharing your goals out loud with someone else who understands is so helpful. So drop me a line in the comments below!

The post Mid-Year Financial Goal Check-in first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Mid-Year Financial Goal Check-in appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

On a daily basis, the majority of people struggle with reaching their financial goals. They work hard, create budgets, are smart with their money but still have problems moving beyond where they are leaving them wondering what the “secret” is.

If you can relate then read on to learn more about the different types of mindsets that either set you up for success or set you back and the amazing podcasts and resources that will help get your mind in the right place financially.

What is Money Mindset and Why Is It Important?

If there’s one thing in life that has so many stigmas and varying beliefs around it, it’s money. It’s a topic that we all have deep thoughts on. Whether we know it or not, these thoughts shape our reality with money through a money mindset.

A money mindset is your personal outlook on money and all that is associated with finances. It is the way we think, feel and act towards money.

It’s important to be aware of what our current money mindset is because it actually controls the way we use money day in and day out. Even though we feel that we are in control, it’s our mindset on autopilot that actually is doing things for us.

Having a great relationship with money is actually an inside job. Starting to look within is important to work on building the money mindset that helps you actually achieve your financial goals.

Scarcity Mindset Vs. Abundance Mindset

While there are many ways to label your money mindset there are two general categories that all of them fall into: scarcity mindset and abundance mindset.

Scarcity mindset has a deep-seated focus on lack and not having enough. Those who have a scarcity mindset are usually found looking at their particular money situation in a negative way. They commonly feel a range of emotions about past and current financial decisions to feeling frustrated or doubtful. But where does this all come from?

As we grow up, we hear well-meaning people in our lives say things from their perspective. Very rarely, however, do we stop to question if what we’ve heard about money or what we’ve seen regarding how money is handled is correct. So we tend to internalize these things that end up directing our conscious and subconscious thoughts. These thoughts turn to feelings and then the action we take with money. If you’ve ever heard phrases such as “money is the root of all evil” or “rich people are not good people” or “money doesn’t grow on trees” these are examples of negative perspectives that we internalize.  Without a doubt, they can play a role in how we work with money even as adults.

What An Abundance Mindset Really Is

On the other side of a scarcity mindset is an abundance mindset. This is one we get to replace the negativity with! 

When you hear the words ‘abundance mindset’, you might think that it’s someone who is positive and happy all the time –  maybe even delusional. In reality, this is not the case. An abundance mindset is rooted in looking at the facts and seeing them as opportunities for growth rather than something that stops you. 

Also, an abundance mindset is focused on what’s possible rather than what isn’t. It allows you to see more of what is available to you so that you can grow your gratitude.  With this reframe you open your mind and yourself up to more opportunities to move closer to your financial goals than ever before. This is where the millionaire mindset starts!

The Best Financial Podcasts For Money Mindset

One of the best things you can do to begin to switch your mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance is taking in information from those who are where you want to be financially. Check out these amazing financial podcasts to help you get started on your millionaire mindset journey.

Millennial Money

If you enjoy real talk, real stories and interesting outlooks on money topics then this is the podcast for you. 

The Millennial Money podcast breathes fresh air into the still taboo topic of money, helping you to expand your mind and grow your money mindset out of the box. Hosted by the award-winning Certified Financial Planner Shannah Compton Game, the podcast really dives into what makes millennials tick. She has the most amazing guests to help you dive into what money wellness means to you. 

With topics like, “How To Have Awkward Money Conversations…Easily”, “What Is Money To You…and What Do You Want It To Be?”, and “Can I Be In Love & Still Ask For A Prenup?” you are definitely bound to find something that will help you grow your money mindset.

Inspired Money Podcast

Host Andy Wang takes you deeper into the world of money. He gives you dynamic perspectives from those who are leading the way in business, thought leadership and other amazing areas. A great focus of this financial podcast is sharing sparks of inspiration while diving deep into topics like side hustles, paying down debt, charitable giving, investing and more. 

If you’re more of a visual person, you can also find the Inspired Money podcast on YouTube where you can see the interaction between Andy and his guests to connect even deeper!

The Money Mindset Podcast

While the title may say it all, here’s why you really need to be listening to The Money Mindset Podcast.

Ashley Patrick from Budgets Made Easy dives right into this very vast topic of money mindset. She helps you expand your awareness through already relatable life topics such as relationships and goal setting.

She does a great job of providing money insights by showing its connection to your bigger vision for your life. With episodes such as “How To Turn This Financial Crisis Into A Financial Win” and “How I Save $600 A Month On Groceries” you’re bound to find great information to meet you where you’re at while inspiring you to rise above.

Additional Resources For Money Mindset Growth

Your money mindset growth doesn’t have to stop with financial podcasts. Here are some other recommended audiobooks so you can keep listening in to grow your money mindset.

You Are A Badass At Making Money By Jen Sincero

Written like you’re talking to a friend who has had enough money experiences for the both of you, this bestseller (and for good reason) really pinpoints exactly why your money mindset is the foundation of your financial happiness. 

With humor and deep relatability, You Are A Badass At Making Money shares ways to overcome your doubts, fears and excuses that hold you back and teaches you to tap into the natural ability you actually already have to grow rich. You’ll also find great questions at the end of each chapter to help you apply what you’ve learned.

Your New Money Mindset by Brad Hewitt and James Moline

Written by a CEO in the financial world and a consulting psychologist, Your New Money Mindset gives you the best ways to understand how money really works,  both in the world and within you. 

The book explains why the writers believe that most people haven’t spent enough time really looking at their fundamental attitudes toward money. They also share how this oversight affects all that these people do.

Through comprehensive explanations and an assessment that helps you see just what your actual money attitude is. You’ll come away with a fresh perspective to open your mind towards thinking of overflow all the while enjoying what you have now. The writers even show you how to be more open hearted with your money and other people.

You’ll undoubtedly come away with a healthier relationship with money. Also you’ll learn how to be future minded when it comes to your finances.

Mindset Over Money

It’s shameless plug time and it’s truly shameless because I wrote really enjoyed working on my ebook Mindset Over Money over a year ago and sharing what I’ve learned about money mindset. In this book, I dive into my personal financial journey. I share what I learned along the way when it comes to the power of resetting your money mindset.

In this book, I share my best mindset tips. You’ll learn how to build a new relationship with money and grow your confidence around earning it, saving it and spending it. You will shift the way you look at money and help set yourself up for a rich and abundant mindset.

Also, it’s important to have steps that you take action on.  In this complete guide I included actions to help you dive deep into what mindset is, how to overcome limiting beliefs, the truth about earning money and so much more.

Learn more about Mindset Over Money here.

Happy Money by Ken Honda

Have you ever thanked your money when it comes into your bank account and thanked it when it leaves? Well bestselling author Ken Honda shares this amazing concept in great detail and so much more in Happy Money.

This book really gives you insight into a more zen way of looking at and interacting with your money. Having “happy money” may sound unusual or strange but the book explains the concept well. Ken shares why money doesn’t have to be a source of stress, anxiety, and fear. He also shows how you are can be at peace with money and feel gratitude towards it which opens yourself up to having more of it flow to you. He even highlights why scarcity is a myth and why giving and receiving money must be embraced without attachment.

This shift in your money mindset can have a profound effect on what Ken calls your money EQ (Emotional Quotient).  Ultimately you’ll develop into the financial prosperity you actually desire.

Final Thoughts

There are always ways to expand your money mindset and grow it positively. 

These podcasts and resources can definitely help you to shift your money mindset in a positive direction. If you open your mind, embrace, and apply what you learn you’ll be able to reframe your money story.

What are your favorite money mindset financial podcasts and books?

The post Best Personal Finance Podcasts and Resources to Improve Your Money Mindset first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Best Personal Finance Podcasts and Resources to Improve Your Money Mindset appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

I changed my debt repayment goals and focus several times and there have also been times when I’ve felt completely defeated and unmotivated to continue.

When it comes to replenishing your motivation and determination to pay off debt, there are plenty of personal finance books you can read to help. Some of which can even help you with your debt payoff strategy.

People favor different learning formats. So if you love reading books, this common hobby can really help you with your debt payoff.

Here are 4 personal finance books to start reading if you want to get out of debt.

1. Hustle Away Debt

I love this book! Hustle Away Debt was written by David Carlson who runs the personal finance blog Young Adult Money.

David and his wife have a lot of student loan debt, but he side hustles like crazy and wrote this book to highlight some of the best side hustles to try in order to increase your income. One of the best ways to pay off your debt faster is to earn extra money through a side hustle.

During my first year of debt repayment, I was only earning $15/hour. I’ve never shared that openly on the blog until now because I believe it’s a crucial part of my story.

Yet and still, I paid off $11,000 of debt thanks in large part to my side hustle. In Hustle Away Debt, I like how David confirms the fact that you don’t have to settle for the income you earn from your job and you can give yourself a raise and start earning more on the side.

He offers information on several unique side hustles along with plenty of anecdotes and in-depth examples so there is something for everyone regardless of what your interests and skills are.

Knowing which side hustle is right for you is key because it ensures you’ll be able to sustain it long enough to pay off your debt and this book will help you do that.

2. You Only Live Once (YOLO)

You Only Live Once is another one of my favorite books and it’s from Jason Vitug. It’s a great book about personal finance, but I highly recommend it if you’re in debt because it challenges you to think about life after debt and what you truly want to do with your money.

Many of us have heard the phrase ‘YOLO’ before and unfortunately, people use it as an excuse to do silly things on impulse because they only live once and why not, right? Wrong. This book is all about improving your finances and using money as a tool to live the most fulfilling life.

Since we only live once on this Earth, why not treat your money right and use it to help you live your dream life?

Jason is the founder of the personal finance website, Phroogal and he’s the founder of the Road to Financial Wellness, a nationwide event.

This book is broken down into three main categories: awareness, creating a plan, and taking control. Jason mentions his past and history with money which involves always wanting more of it, then trying to keep up with the Joneses only to still feel unfulfilled with his life.

Often times, debt repayment is only the beginning of your financial journey. You often need to change your money habits, develop a vision for your life, and set the right goals to get ahead long-term. This book can help you with that.

3. How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously

How to Get Out Of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously is a great book to read if you’re longing to become debt free but are still unsure about how you’ll get there. If you’re currently looking at a mountain of debt right now and have no idea where to start, you’re not alone.

Many of us have felt like we’ve been on an uphill battle with debt payoff but this book will help you manage your debt, and create a plan to free yourself from it.

This book is written by Jerrold Mundis offers practical tips and advice to help you cope with your debt and start implementing simple strategies to get rid of it once and for all.

4. The Debt Escape Plan: How to Free Yourself From Credit Card Balances, Boost Your Credit Score, and Live Debt-Free

The Debt Escape Plan by Beverly Harzog is super relatable and motivates you to take actionable steps to pay down your debt. Beverly refers to herself as a former credit card junkie who racked up thousands of dollars in credit card debt during a decade of overspending.

Yes, you read that right. She spent more than 10 years overspending and was still able to fix her money issues and get out of debt and in 2 years time too. You can do it too and if you’re drowning in credit card debt, this book is a must read!

Credit card debt is the worst in my opinion because it comes with a high-interest rate and tons of temptation. Unlike student loan debt, it’s super easy to get back in credit card debt repeatedly especially if you can’t control your spending.

Related: Best Tips and Strategies to Crush Credit Card Debt
How I Raised My Credit Score by 150 Points

In this book you’ll learn things like:

• Why a one-size-fits-all approach to credit card debt doesn’t work
• How to use the Money Personality Quiz to customize your own debt escape plan
• The nine biggest debt mistakes and how to overcome them
• Secrets for giving your credit score a quick boost
• How to debt-proof your future so this never happens to you again

Beverly’s book takes conventional finance advice to the next level as she uses her story and lessons learned to help readers create a plan to conquer and stay out of credit card debt.

How Bad Do You Want to Get Out of Debt?

It all comes down to this question? If you really want to become debt free, you already have the determination. Now, you just need the motivation and a strategy that works best for you.

These 4 books can help. As I said before, everyone learns differently and resonates with different material. Many people have paid off thousands of dollars of debt because they picked up a helpful book that prompted them to take action.

Books are just one of the many resources out there that can help you pay down your debt. Whichever solution you choose to help you improve your financial situation, just realize that it won’t work unless you do so be sure to take action.

The post 4 Books To Start Reading If You Want to Get Out Of Debt first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 4 Books To Start Reading If You Want to Get Out Of Debt appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

At the end of the day, my relationship with money didn’t get better and my situation didn’t improve much. I realized what I really needed to work on was my mindset. Mindset comes before money – hence why money mindset books are the best! It’s your thoughts and feelings that create your actions and results.

Don’t believe me. Think about everything you have and do today from your job and your hobbies to your home. All of these things existed in your mind first. It started with a thought, feeling, and a belief. I spent a long time still having a poverty mindset from when I had a super low income.

I’m not that person anymore so I can’t keep those same thoughts and feelings that I used to have when it came to managing money. Without the proper mindset, you can’t get far with your personal finances. Luckily, it’s not hard to change your mindset around. One of the easiest ways is by reading books.

I’ve been reading a lot more books lately and each month I give myself a theme. Last month was personal development, this month is personal finance, and next month will be self-care.

Here are 5 of the best books to improve your money mindset. I’ve personally been reading these money mindset books and they’ve helped a ton!

1. Overcoming Underearning

Barbara Stanny explains how underearners are self-saboteurs who don’t live up to their earnings potential. They tend to live paycheck to paycheck and have a high tolerance for low pay. Right off the bat, this sounded like me and a lot of people I surrounded myself with.

At one point, I claimed I really wanted to earn more money and I was tired of having a low income. Whenever the opportunity came around to earn more, I never took it and became comfortable with my mediocre situation and being an underearner.

In this book, Barbara teaches that underearning is a self-imposed condition and can be turned around. She includes stories and testimonies from everyday women who have taken her workshop, Overcoming Underearning. This book includes 5 essential steps to start declaring your worth and earning more to match your potential.

2. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

In one chapter, he mentions that we all have a ‘money blueprint’ which is basically a collection of thoughts and experiences (usually from childhood) that determine our feelings and actions surrounding money. A person’s money blueprint can determine how hard they’ll work and how much income they will make throughout their lifetime.

When Harv mentioned that some people will never earn more than what they’re currently making due to their money blueprint, that just blew my mind. In fact, he claims that he can use this information to predict someone’s financial future in just 5 minutes. This book isn’t all just about making money, though.

In part 2, readers get to learn how the wealthy actually think and this insight can help you in many other areas of your life as you search for fulfillment.

3. 4 Financial Languages

This book reveals that there are 4 main financial languages just like love languages. Most people are drawn to one, but can have multiple financial languages and money management habits which are referred to as ‘dialects’ in the book.

I love how this book teaches you how to identify your top financial language and learn how to communicate with your partner in their financial language.

Related: How To Get Your Spouse On Board With Budgeting

4. Your Money or Your Life

Do you want to spend your whole life trading your time for money and buying “stuff” that literally costs hours of your life? Probably not! This book is geared toward people who are seeking financial independence, but it offers tons of insight and tips comes to determining your American Dream, being honest about what makes you feel fulfilled, and valuing your energy as well as your time.

I like how the book is broken down into 9 chapters for the 9 steps the author provides on transforming your relationship with money and achieving financial independence.

5. Worthy

The book unmasks the fact that money is often a source of anxiety for some people and the state of our net worth has a direct connection to how we feel about ourselves. Worthy does include a 10-step plan for readers which includes some great stories and thought-provoking questions.

I love books that include steps, plans, etc. because it’s easy to follow along and ensure you get results. That’s what improving your mindset is all about.

Bonus Book

6. Mindset Over Money

I wrote Mindset Over Money because throughout my financial journey I learned the importance of having a strong money mindset for financial success and I really want to help others who struggle with this now.

In the book I share all of my best mindset tips to help you build a new relationship with money and grow your confidence around earning it, saving it and spending it. It’s a complete guide that will shift the way you look at money and help set you up for a rich and abundant mindset, which is needed to level up in your finances.

And because I love books with steps and plans, I included actionable steps and examples that dive deep into what mindset is, how to overcome limiting beliefs, the truth about earning money and SO much more.

Final Thoughts

These 5 best books to improve your money mindset books only scratch the surface but they are some great reads if you’re looking for a serious change in your life. If you feel you don’t have a lot of time to read, consider trying out Audible and downloading audiobook versions of these books.

I’ve been an Audible member for two years now and I absolutely love it. I can listen to books when I’m in the car, doing chores around the house, or exercising. Plus Audible often has deals and promotions on books. New members can get a free book and 30-day trial to try it out.

What’s your favorite personal finance book?

The post Books I’m Reading to Improve My Money Mindset first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Books I’m Reading to Improve My Money Mindset appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

We all do this at one time or another and it’s common to pass judgment on someone based on their appearance (not saying it’s right though). After the initial shock of this comment wore off, I laughed a little to myself realizing that this person clearly had it all wrong about me and that I could care less if that was their opinion.

Honestly, I can’t be one of those people who say they don’t care at all about people’s opinion of them because I feel like that’s a false statement. We all care somewhat or else we wouldn’t try to be extra polite in public or dress presentably before we head out the door. We wouldn’t get embarrassed when talking with someone only to realize there was a piece of spinach our teeth the whole time.

We often care about other people’s perception of us and there’s nothing wrong with this. I certainly care, but only to some extent.

In terms of having holes in some of my clothes, I’m not the only one who is totally okay with it and I don’t care much about other people’s opinions or judgment on what I choose to wear.

So why am I writing this whole blog post then? I know this is different from what I usually post but I’ve always believed in being completely authentic and honest about my experiences on this site and I do believe there’s a financial lesson to be learned that could impact you and even change your outlook or increase your focus on your financial goals.

To elaborate on that lesson, I wanted to share 3 key reasons why I don’t care much about people’s opinions on me wearing clothes with holes in them.

I Clearly Care More About Saving and Investing

Over the past few years, my priorities have really shifted. I care less about buying clothes and material items and more about achieving financial freedom. While I could buy a ton of clothes and shoes every month, instead I choose to focus on debt payoff, saving and investing because that’s what makes me happy.

I created a vision for my life that involves me living on my own terms and not owing anyone money. This is why I paid off $30,000+ of debt in just under 3 years. This is why I’ve added thousands to my emergency savings fund so when unexpected expenses arise, I have the money on hand to handle them stress-free.

This is why I prioritize investing and set a goal to max out my retirement account next year. When I do want to treat myself or spend money on something fun, I do it as long as it aligns with my values. Right now, I’m pretty comfortable with the clothing I have and don’t really see any reason to get rid of wearable items that I love.

Related: Shopping Ban Update: 4 Months In

How My Husband and I Paid Off $14,354.81 of Debt in One Year

Reflections on Paying Off Student Loans

I LOVE Being Frugal

Second, it’s no secret that I loveeeeeeee being frugal. I became frugal out of necessity years ago because I really couldn’t afford to spend any extra money. Now, I’m frugal by choice because I absolutely love the lifestyle.

I try to focus on my values and avoid spending money on things that are unnecessary to me. I love getting deals, using coupons, and being creative with what I have. I enjoy shopping at thrift stores for my son’s school clothes. I see nothing wrong with my affordable prepaid cell phone from Republic Wireless.

I earn cash back on credit cards and by using free apps like Ebates and Swagbucks. I cook most of my meals at home because it means I don’t have to spend a fortune on mediocre restaurant food. I check my bank account daily and love budgeting to stay on track throughout the month. I understand that doesn’t sit well with some people who may think I’m super cheap or just plain broke, but oh well.

Related: How to Save Money in Almost Every Area of Your Life

How to Keep Your Entertainment Budget Frugal

I’m Not Defined By Clothes…Or Anything I Have

Finally, I’m not defined by what I wear. I used to feel that way though. I used to think that the fancier my clothes were, the more money people would think I have. I used to think that having designer purses and shoes would let people know that I was well off financially.

This picture below was from a few years ago. I was attending a fashion show in Chicago and remember going to the mall and spending well over $100 for that dress and shoes (and hardly ever wore it again). Looking back, it was silly to waste all that money because I didn’t really have it to spend.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about taking care of yourself, but I’m more interested in living my life instead of trying to show off for other people and give off a false impression. Sometimes my hair is a hot mess, I have acne and hardly wear makeup, and while I love my clothes, some of the items I have do have holes in them but I don’t define myself by any of these standards.

I also dislike when people define themselves and others based on what they do for a living when that is only a piece of their life.

I’d rather be defined by my unique characteristics and personality.

Don’t Let People’s Opinions Get In The Way of Your Financial Path

This is such an important lesson to learn on your financial journey.

Some people won’t understand why you do certain things and how you manage your money. They may form opinions about you that may or may not be true. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what other people think because when you get caught up in someone else’s opinion, you lose sight of your goals and vision for your life.

Then, you get caught up in pleasing someone else and making them feel happy and comfortable instead of doing that for yourself.

Last year, I was listening to Paula Pant’s podcast where she interviewed a man who retired early on a teacher’s salary. He was super frugal and did some outrageous things like riding his bike several miles to work all year round and eating a weird diet of only pasta and mussels he would get a deal on locally for protein.

During the podcast interview, he mentioned how back when he was working, one of his colleagues told him that she and the rest of the staff wanted to start a fund at the school for him to “help him out”. In other words, they believed he was struggling financially due to his lifestyle choices.

What would have happened if he would have listened to their opinion and the narrative they tried to create about him based on their observations? They had no idea he was saving boatloads of his income and could probably afford to pay for a car in cash at that time but chose not to because that didn’t align with his values and wouldn’t make him truly happy. If he would have let the opinion of others affect him and the path he was on, he probably wouldn’t be enjoying financial freedom today.

Where do you draw the line when it comes to caring about other people’s opinions on your life and choices? Have you ever found yourself trying to prove your financial status to others and what made you stop?

The post Why Your Opinion on The Holes In My Clothes Doesn’t Matter first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Why Your Opinion on The Holes In My Clothes Doesn’t Matter appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

I decided to create this full guide to help you navigate through these new circumstances and share some of my favorite tips and resources.

Let me be clear that you really don’t need to be taking things to the next level right now in any way. I’ve seen a lot of content online about how to make the most about all of the “extra” time you have at home these days. Now’s the time to learn Japanese, finally organize your pantry to make it look Pinterest-worthy, or even launch your side hustle.

I think that advice is well-intentioned. Some people may have found themselves with all sorts of hours on their hands and want some inspiration for how to optimize their time.

But, a lot of us have less time than ever.

Maybe you’re trying to keep up with your full-time job in a totally new environment or you suddenly found yourself having to homeschool your kids. To top it off, you’re probably worried about your loved ones in the back of your head especially if they are essential workers.

So before I get into the meat and potatoes of this post, I wanted to put that out there. We all have different circumstances so focus on prioritizing what works for you at this time.

Managing Your Finances During a Global Pandemic

Let’s face it, a lot of personal finance is about planning but also responding to life’s circumstances. Most of us didn’t plan for the financial effects of this global pandemic. However, if your finances have been shaken up lately, there are a few things you can do.

Look For Ways to Save Money

This was my first instinct when I found that schools were closing and people would be out of jobs. I sat down with my husband and we went over our budget while discussing any expenses we could reduce.

We realized that we’d naturally spend less on gas for the month and also wouldn’t be spending much on dining out or entertainment. These things alone would easily save us around $300 for the month. Go through your budget and review your transactions to see where you can save or cut back if you need to at this time. There’s no telling how long things will last but this is the perfect time to prioritize saving money.

Related: 70 Ways to Save More Money While Living Paycheck to Paycheck

12 Frugal Hacks You Can Use to Start Saving Thousands

50 Everyday Expenses You Need to Stop Spending Money On

5 Tips to Help You Save on a Low Income

Get Your Bare-Bones Budget Ready

A bare-bones budget includes your core non-negotiable monthly expenses. These are costs that you need to pay each month no matter what. If you’ve recently been laid off or had your hours cut, you may want to switch to a bare-bones budget which can drastically cut your expenses and reduce your financial stress level.

Even if you haven’t experienced a significant income change, it’s still important to have your bare-bones budget ready in case you ever need it. Learn how to create one here.

Plan Out Meals

We’ve been ordering takeout at least once per week as a way to help local businesses out, taste some of our favorite foods, and try new foods out as well. But let’s face it, planning out your meals and cooking at home is one of the best way to stick to your budget and stretch what you have at home.

I’m still doing 2-week meal plans and highly recommend checking out the $5 Meal Plan if you need meal ideas that are affordable and easy to prepare. Also, realize that you can free certain things like milk, fresh fruit, and even whole cooked meals for future use.

Defer Payments on Some of Your Bills

Many bill companies have relief options that you can take advantage of at this time if you need to. Car insurance companies are offering rebates on premiums since people are driving less. I exercise at my local park district and they decided not to bill members for the next two months since all the gyms are closed.

NerdWallet also put together this list of bills you may be able to pause and receive assistance with.

Consider Selling any Assets or Liabilities

If you have any items around your house that you can sell for extra cash, now would be a great time to sell them. You can sell items safely online or use the Facebook Marketplace and have people do a contactless pickup from your porch.

Put Your Stimulus Money to Good Use

Many Americans who met a certain criteria received a stimulus check. I can’t tell you exactly what you should do with the money. Only you know what’s the best option for you and your family right now. I can only recommend that you use the money wisely and put it to good use. If you’re unsure about your job or don’t have an emergency fund, buying a flat-screen TV at Walmart is probably not the best option.

Making Extra Money From Home

Looking to make extra money from home? There’s no better time than the present. Here are some of my favorite ways to make money from home right now.

Teaching Online

Teaching online is always a good option, but with more kids learning at home now, there are even more opportunities to start teaching and tutoring from your home. Consider getting started with Education First, VIPKid, and checking out Chegg Tutors.

Freelancing

Learn how to become a freelance writer here or a virtual assistant here. Set your own hours and work flexibly with clients of your choice.

Transcription

Get paid to type with work from home transcription jobs. Earn $10 to $25 per hour with companies like:

• Quicktate
• Rev
• Scribie
• Daily Transcription
• TranscribeMe

Customer Service

There are tons of remote customer service jobs available right now. Check out your options here.

Related: 20 Ways to Make Extra Money Today

10 High-Paying Part-Time Work From Home Jobs

How to Make Extra Money Selling Electronics Online

Other Resources

Food Banks

Local food banks and food pantries are a great place to look if you need to get food into your home. Feeding America is a national food bank that is working with the government to provide more food in communities and help with school lunch programs. The USDA also has a food assistance program to help people during this time.

Schools in your area may still be offering meals to students as well even though they’re closed. Reach out to your school district to see what their plans are for distributing meals to students in need through the remainder of the year.

Childcare

Governments are working with daycares to keep some open, with priority for emergency workers. Check with your city to see which options may be available to you.

Track Your Stimulus Payment

The IRS has made it possible for you to track your economic impact payment through their Get My Payment page. Just be sure to have information like your name, social security number, date of birth and address on hand.

Student Loan Relief Programs

Learn who qualifies for coronavirus student loan relief here. Federal student loans can be deferred at this time and you won’t have to worry about paying interest until fall 2020. If you have private student loans, you may be able to get relief as well. Here’s what some private student loans companies have said.

Coronavirus Grants, Relief Programs, and Other Assistance

The CARES Act that was passed on March 27, 2020 has A LOT of info in it regarding who gets a stimulus check, student loan relief, increased unemployment insurance, and more. If you have questions about what options are available be sure to check out this FAQ press release. You can also check out a summary of the relief programs here.

Related: Where to Get Covid-19 Financial Assistance

Watch Out For Scams!

No one likes scams so beware of these IRS scams especially if you’re expecting a stimulus payment or still filing your taxes.

Related: Top Work from Home Job Scams

Teaching Kids at Home

E-learning has been a major adjustment for most parents who are juggling work, helping with school, and everything in between. However, I’ve taken this opportunity to learn about some new programs and resources to help keep my son learning and engaged each at home. Here are some of my favorite resources and tips for families during school closures.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom helps teachers and students organize their assignments, collaborate on different lessons, and communicate more clearly in a virtual setting. Your child’s teacher may already be using it, or you can request that they start. You can even use Google Classroom on your own to stay better organized with assignments.

Education.com

Education.com has tons of educational resources for families. Some of them are free but there is a membership requirement and it’s pretty affordable starting at just $8 per month. You’ll pay even less than that if you sign up for multiple months in advance.

A monthly membership with Education.com is not expensive and starts at just $8 per month,  $6.33 per month for 3 months, and $5 per month is you pay for 12 months in advance.

Outschool

Outschool offers live online classes for kids ages 3 to 18. Classes start at just $5.

Adventure Academy

This is my new personal favorite! Adventure Academy is similar to ABC Mouse only it’s for kids ages 8 to 13. It’s just like playing an interactive video game only your child is learning and covering core subjects like math, science, reading, and English. As they learn and get certain questions right, the move up a level in the ‘game’ and can buy items for their avatar and even furnish their own home. This aspect of the site reminds me of the game Sims.

You get 30 days to try out Adventure Academy for free.

Hooked on Phonics

Hooked on Phonics is a great program to assist your child in learning how to read. They provide books, videos and interactive activities. You can get started with just $1 for your first month.

Scholastic

Scholastic is another site that is offering free at-home learning resources to families.

Science Kids

One thing I was worried about with schools shutting down was how my son was going to learn certain hands-on subjects like science. Then I found out about Science Kids which provides free science experience ideas to try at home.

Typing Club

Typing club is a fun and free site that can help your kids brush up on their typing skills.

Duolingo

Thinking about having your child learn a new language at this time? Duolingo is a free site that makes learning a foreign language fun.

Virtual Summer Camps

Varsity Tutors recently launched a free virtual summer camp program where parents can sign their kids up for fun classes like drawing, theater and improv, photography, science labs, dance, and more.

Frugal and Cheap Ways to Stay Busy

Say you actually do have some extra time on your hands or maybe you just want to take your mind off the news and relieve some stress. Here are some of my favorite frugal and cheap ways to stay busy at home.

Declutter

Decluttering is one of my favorite things to do. Nothing beats having a clear and organized space. A lot of what’s going on in your head often reflects your surroundings and living space. Take some time to declutter your workspace and your home. Another added bonus of doing this is that you can often find things you can sell for extra cash. Consider listing some items on the Facebook Marketplace or sell to buyback sites like Decluttr.

Read

You may find that you may have more time to read than you did before. I realized that I have several Audible credits stacked up so I decided to download a few audiobooks. Trade-off between reading for fun and reading self-help books that interest you. If you’re looking for a place to start, you can check out my ebook, Mindset Over Money (shameless plug).

Make Home Decor

Being at home more these past few weeks has definitely prompted me to do some more decorating and rearrange the house. I figure since I’m going to be home for an extended period of time, I might as well make my home more comfortable and inspiring. I’ve seen a lot of interest DIY home decor ideas on Pinterest that you can do with items that are just laying around the house. One thing I started doing is designing my own frameable images and graphics on Canva and getting them shipped to my house. I use the ‘poster’ template and design quote images and my favorite bible scriptures.

Here’s a preview of a poster I created on Canva that I’m looking forward to putting on my bedroom wall.

Exercise

There are so many key benefits to exercising especially during these times. Do you best to get up and move a few times per week. You can walk, ride your bike around the neighborhood, jump rope, and utilize exercise routine videos.

Right now, I’,m loving the workout routines that Planet Fitness is uploading to Facebook each day. On YouTube, I check out 305 Fitness and their live daily exercise routines as well sometimes.

Color or Paint

When was the last time you sat down and colored something? I did a few weeks ago and it was super relaxing. Coloring and painting are proven ways to relieve stress and they will also keep you busy and focused on something else.

Take an Online Class

Coursera offers free online classes that you can finish in as little as a day. There are courses available on practically any topic you’d like to learn about.

Update Important Documents

This is also an ideal time to update and organize your important documents like your life insurance, tax returns, birth certificates, your living will and more. Do you have all of these documents and know where they’re at? Are they up-to-date?

If you don’t have life insurance, check out Bestow for affordable term life insurance policies. My previous policy expired so I signed up for a new term policy through Bestow and the process was super easy.

This weekend, my husband and I will be doing some estate planning using Trust and Will.  I know, it doesn’t sound that fun but it’s something that everyone should consider doing just to have a solid plan in place.

Write Your Bucket List

This experience has taught me how precious life is and how I should stop procrastinating and putting certain things off. There were so many simple things I kept saying I was going to do then and all of the sudden schools closed down and we were under a stay-at-home order. I realized I was taking each day for granted.

Creating a bucket list of what you want to do when things open back up can be a great way to motivate yourself to start making the most of each day.

Fun Things to do at Home With Family

Grill out

If you have some yard space, make it your new hangout spot and have a grill out. Even when we lived in an apartment, my husband would grill food downstairs then we’d sit on our balcony and just relax and talk.

Bake/Cook Together

I’ll admit, I’ve been eating a lot more during quarantine but I’m also enjoying cooking and baking for my family. Consider asking your kids to help you cook or having your own cooking class demonstration with your partner for date night. I’m sure there are plenty of cooking instruction YouTube videos out there. You can also have a healthy meal challenge or eat through your pantry challenge to make it more productive.

Weekly Theme Nights

Even though we see each other each day, I’m still working from home and wanted to dedicate some time to be fully present with my family so we made Wednesdays our weekly dedicated family nights. It’s just a fun time to talk, play games, eat comfort food and more. A few weeks back we made greek donuts and watched a movie. Other nights, we played video games or board games together.

You can even create a theme for your night like ‘Disney’ ‘the 80s’ or ‘pajama day’.

Camping in the Backyard

Camping out in the backyard can be a fun way to feel like you’ve left the house when you really haven’t. Challenge yourself to act as if you were really camping in an area away from home so get creative with how you prepare food and stay entertained.

Some other fun ideas include:

• Playing board games
• Listening to new music
• Doing puzzles
• Karaoke night
• Creating a vision board
• Starting an herb garden
• Planning a future trip

Related: 75 Free Things To Do This Weekend

Prioritizing Mental Health At Home

It’s important that we all prioritize our mental health at this time. I know many of us are dealing with a ton of pressure, financial anxiety, and feelings of uncertainty about the future.

It’s important to focus on what you can control and know that caring for yourself is one of those things.

Journal

If you’ve never journaled before, now is the perfect time to start. Journaling allows you to get all your thoughts and ideas out of your head and onto paper. You don’t have to write a ton, but doing this regularly can be very therapeutic.

Try a Meditation App

Mental healed and meditation apps are often free and can help you relax. I recommend checking out apps like: Headspace, Smiling Mind, Calm and Mindfulness Daily.

Listen to Music

I know I mentioned listening to music before, but doing this really helps me lower my stress level and escape for a moment. Some celebrities are even doing virtual concerts so this could be something to look into.

Call Friends

I’m an introvert so initially, I didn’t realize how much these new circumstances would cause me to miss being around people. While video calling platforms can’t replace face-to-face interaction they can help, especially if you live alone or miss your friends and family. One app I’ve been loving lately is called Houseparty. It’s like Facetime only you can play games with the people you’re chatting with through the app.

Wrapping It Up

It should go without saying that Coronavirus has and will affect all of us. While no one could have seen this coming, it’s okay to be a little overwhelmed right now and reassess things. Don’t beat yourself up for and decisions you made in the past whether financial or personal.

The best thing to do now is develop a solid plan to help you manage finances at home during these tough times and do what works best for your family.

How are you handling the new normal?

The post How to Manage Finances, Mental Health and Stay Occupied at Home (49 Ideas + Resources) first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post How to Manage Finances, Mental Health and Stay Occupied at Home (49 Ideas + Resources) appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Hey everyone and welcome to the Debt Mindset Series and it’s all about money mindset which is the key to jump start debt payoff and make progress. I’m excited to share stories from real people this year about their journey with paying off debt and the mindset shifts they had to make to influence their actions.

With that being said, have you ever felt like your debt was holding your back from a better life? If your longing for more freedom and wanting to use money as a tool to achieve that, this recent debt mindset interview I conducted with Rachel is for you.

Rachel Foxwell is a writer and full-time marketer who is passionate about teaching millennials about money management. Rachel graduated college with $28,000 of student loans, which she is working furiously to pay off.

I was excited to chat with Rachel to learn more about her journey and what’s she’s been doing to pay off debt.

How Much Debt Do You Have and How Did You Accumulate It?

I’m fortunate to have never been in consumer debt. I’ve always been a saver and I just got my first credit card last year. All of my debt is from student loans. When I graduated, I had $28,000 of student loan debt.

I know many people have much more in student loans, but I was disappointed in myself because I failed completely at educating myself about the dangers of student loans.

What Was Your ‘Aha’ Moment When You Realized Your Debt Was a Problem?

Once I graduated, I moved 1,000 miles away from my home state of Iowa to South Carolina. When I realized my minimum monthly student loan payment – $315 – was about as much as a flight back to Iowa, I got so mad!

I had to save so vigorously to be able to afford to travel while prioritizing student loans at the same time. If I didn’t have student loans, I would have so much more freedom to do what I actually want to do!

Did you implement a specific strategy to start paying off your debt? Why?

My goal has never been to see how quickly I can pay off my student loans. While I am on track to get them paid off way ahead of time, I did the math and it made much more sense mathematically for me to put a higher priority on retirement. Unfortunately, the salary of my first job didn’t allow me to focus on both!

Instead of doing one monthly payment on my student loans, I pay once a week and I always aim to pay more than the minimum, even if it is only $20 extra that month. I commit any bonuses, extra paychecks, unexpected money gifts, or tax refunds to paying off debt.

It really does help! I also started blogging and freelancing on the side to supplement my full-time income. That extra money all goes to student loans. For me, finding the balance between all of my financial obligations has worked best.

Related: How to Become a Freelance Writer

22+ Sites that Pay For Guest Posts

How to Make Money With a Blog or Niche Site

What were some obstacles you were/are faced with?

Like a lot of millennials, I faced a lot of student loans and an average starting salary at my first job. So my biggest obstacle was finding the money to pay for all of my financial priorities, like living on my own, saving for the immediate future, saving for long-term, and paying off debt.

I combat this by reminding myself that what I earn is up to me! We all can find a higher paying job, start a side hustle, or work a second job. It’s very empowering to think like this!

Related: How to Avoid Defaulting on Your Student Loans

Creating a Student Loan Debt Plan of Attack

What motivates you? What would you say to people who think they can’t get out of debt in an attempt to change their mindset?

My long-term goals motivate me. I am getting married in the spring and I want to come into that marriage with as little debt as possible to set ourselves up for success. My dream job is to become a college business professor, which obviously requires a lot of expensive schooling. Every dollar does count in terms of getting me to my goals.

To someone who thinks they can’t get out of debt, I encourage them to just start somewhere. And I think people need a little tough love with it, along with empowerment. You are responsible for getting yourself into debt, but you do have the power to get yourself out of debt. Instead of pitying yourself, empower yourself.

The post Debt Mindset Series: No Student Loans = More Freedom first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Debt Mindset Series: No Student Loans = More Freedom appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

It’s an ebook I’ve been writing called Mindset Over Money. The book has been available on Amazon for pre-orders for the past 2 weeks but it’s finally officially available today. Yay!

So why write this ebook?

I love sharing money tips and resources on this blog. But one thing that I want people to get and understand on a deeper level is their mindset.

Sometimes I get emails from people who feel discouraged about their finances or are confused about how to manage money. There’s nothing wrong with feeling stuck from time to time. But staying stuck due to a poor mindset is another story.

Throughout my journey with personal finance, I’ve realized that one thing has been constant and necessary above all else – mindset.

The main difference between people who are successful and reach their goals and those who are not is mindset. Money, status, circumstance, and privilege are all secondary. Yes, these other factors are important and play a role too. However, you can’t make any progress without the right mindset.

So if you’ve ever felt stuck with your finances, get tired of having a tight budget, or just feel like you couldn’t get ahead, it’s likely time to work on your mindset to take things to the next level.

I know it can be difficult to change the way you think, but the abundance mindset really makes a difference and I show you how to do this in my ebook.

Mind you, this book is not about ‘the woo’ at all. I don’t believe in chanting and reciting positive quotes and phrases to yourself each day as a true way to master your mindset and get results.

In Mindset Over Money, I plan to teach you real strategies and share tangible action steps you can take to retrain your mind and finally start getting ahead with your finances.

The Truth Is…

You have to think differently and have different beliefs about money if you ever want to do things like:

• Pay off debt
• Save aggressively
• Invest in retirement
• Afford a new hobby
• Invest in yourself and your own skills
• Start a business or pursue or pursue a passion project.

You have to work on your relationship with money and realize that the person you want to become in the future thinks and acts differently. If your mindset doesn’t develop and evolve, you’ll always be one step short.

An Overview

It can cost hundreds of dollars per month to work with a financial therapist to help improve your money mindset. I’m sharing some of my best tips and strategies to get you started in this ebook for just a few dollars.

So there’s no excuse when it comes to investing in yourself and understanding this mindset stuff so you can succeed!

Here is an outline of the chapters to demonstrate what will be covered in the book:

Chapter 1: What is Mindset?

Chapter 2: Understanding What Money is and Your Relationship with It

Chapter 3: The Biggest Difference Between the Rich and the Poor

Chapter 4: Overcoming Money Disorders and Limiting Beliefs

Chapter 5: Peeling Back the Rug

Chapter 6: Your Mindset on Spending and Saving

Chapter 7: You CAN Make More Money

Chapter 8: Everyone Wants a Shiny Object, But the Truth Is…

Praise From the Editor

My editor and virtual assistant Kim was one of the first ones to read this book and had nothing but good things to say about it which was a relief And no, I did not pay her extra to make these comments, haha.

“Guys seriously, if you haven’t pre-ordered Choncé’s book yet, YOU NEED TO. I’ve had the pleasure of editing it (although it didn’t need much, because she’s an amazing storyteller and writer), and the entire time I was reading, I was in awe.

I’ve been in the personal finance space for over 6 years, and she STILL taught me some things. And her story of overcoming all that she has is one of those things you need to read to realize that you can do it too. And you can get it now for under $5 and get your mindset together!”

If you love what you read when you get the book, leave me a review on Amazon 

How You’ll Receive the Book

Mindset Over Money is an ebook so once you order it on Amazon, it will be delivered to you electronically. You do not need a Kindle E-reader or subscription to Kindle Unlimited to read the book (although if you have these things, that works too!)

The Kindle Cloud Reader is a free, web-based app that you can visit by going to read.amazon.com. You can use this to read the book on your tablet, laptop, or any other device. Personally, I like to download the free Amazon Kindle app to my phone so I can read my ebooks while I’m on the go as well.

I am SO excited for you to go through this book and I’m even more anxious to hear about your results and the lifelong improvements you’ll make to your financial situation.

Have any other questions about the book? Feel free to drop me a comment below.

The post My Book is Finally Here: Mindset Over Money first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post My Book is Finally Here: Mindset Over Money appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.