Thursday, July 10, 2014

How To Manage Your Money Better

Affirmations:
 I joyfully give the best I have for all to appreciate.
The more I appreciate what I have, the more what I have increases in value.
Prosperity is flowing the Good in me and around me.
 I am abundantly grateful, so I experience joyful abundance.

This month our focus at Unity Center for Inspired Living is on Abundance.
Abundance is our natural state.
When we do not experience abundance (enough of what is needed), something is amiss.
Join us in person or online for practical and spiritual tools for natural abundance.
Sunday, July 13, 11:30-12:30 PM after service, join Robert and I for real conversations about the natural flow of abundance.

How To Manage Your Money Better
(It is never too late to find a better way!)

Simple Tips from Betty Lue and Robert

Cook and eat at home. (We rarely eat out and cook from scratch.)
Plant a garden, (even just tomatoes in pots)
Buy at farmer’s markets.
Eat veggies and fruits in season.
Make sure you only eat what tastes and feel healthy in your body.

Buy the clothes you need, not everything you want.
Take good care of the clothing you prefer to wear.
Make yourself happy, without seeking approval from others.
Be respectful of the monies you have and make sure others have what they need.

Take a walk or swim or garden or clean house daily.
Appreciate the natural beauty around you.
Spend time with children or volunteer to be helpful with family members.
Enjoy the Good you see and experience in your life.

Live where it is simple to maintain, clean, beautify and restore your soul.
It is not the size of your space that matters.
It is the energy in which you live that makes the difference.
Be grateful to have a bed and a roof over your head.

Save as much as you can each month to use for Good.
Share what you have to keep the flow going.
Create a budget and stick to it.
Live on less and save more. 
Have a positive reason for saving.

Invest in what benefits others, to have what is best for all.
    Kid’s education fund.
    Your own health and well being.
    Small business loans around the world through Kiva.org

Volunteer your time, energy and gifts with those who are appreciative.
Bring joy everyday to those around you.
Live your life with abundant goodness and generosity for all.
Be grateful for everything you have and give.

Live wisely and well.
Be wise in your spending, saving, contributing and investing.
Keep money, wisdom and helpfulness flowing and current.
Forgive any financial mistakes immediately and do not repeat them.

Use credit cards for airline mileage.  Then you can travel!
Pay off the credit cards each month (no debt or interest.)
Create a debt free life by only buying what you can pay for now.
Live on what you earn or earn more by doing what matters to you.

Contribute to what inspires you.
Spend time, money and energy on what increases your whole life.
Be openly appreciative for what works for you.
Give gifts that matter…do not waste time or money on useless things.

There is always much more.
I believe “Waste not, Want not.:
I believe we have what we are willing to share.
I trust that we always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.  II Corinthians, 9:8

I learned early to appreciate everything I have and then I always feel rich.
I learned early that cleanliness and beauty cost no money.
I learned early that sharing what I have feels better than having more than others.
I learned early that life becomes more abundant with full appreciation.

Try a few of your own tips and remember what works well for you.
Love always Love and there is never a lack of Love.
Loving you,
Betty Lue

Money Reminders
Some more tips that have worked for us.

(We have learned through much trial and error.)
The person who has the most interest/energy and most fun gets the job of financial wizard.

Pay yourself first. This means tithe to the source of your Good (you and your inner peace and joy).  

Set aside money before paying bills that goes in an account. (We called ours the Freedom Fund in the early days.) In other words, we save first. Then we pay our very minimal bills.

We invest in ourselves and not in a business or home.

We cut back on expenses so that there is money.  

We tithe in time and energy as well as money.  

Right now we live on less than 50% of our income.
It is never too late to begin again.  
We just began from zero in 2004.

We pay no taxes.  We are able to use deductions and charitable contributions wisely.

Every bit of surprise income and extra income goes in the savings pot.

With every on-going endeavor or project, ask yourself regularly: 
“Knowing what I know now, would I begin this/get involved in this, brand new, right now?”
If the answer is “No”, then get out, regardless of how much time, energy or money has already been invested or what your prior agreements or commitments may have been. The “trap of prior economic investment” can keep you involved in something way beyond its usefulness and into a time when that something drains your energy and resources meant to be directed elsewhere. It is better to get out “at a loss” than have any endeavor sink the whole ship.

Know exactly how much money you need to pay which expenses in every single week of each month. 
This should be written down and checked off as it is paid. That way you also know how much income you need on or before the 1st week, 2nd week, etc of each month. You should also write down when your “predictable” income comes in so you can count on that. Then let your consciousness and affirmation attract what is needed for the balance. (Note: you also need to know which week or weeks you will make deposits to your savings or Freedom Fund, and how much.)

For a period of 3 months, track very precisely every penny of income and expense. 
This increases your awareness and your level of responsibility. We use Quicken because it is cheap, easy to set up and easy to use—about 5 minutes a day. 

Get receipts for everything and record daily. It’s a habit and will pay off greatly. 
You will quickly notice where money “slips through the cracks” and where you are spending money which might be more important for you to save. 

Every time you cut expenses, add that money to the amount you are saving. 
Track / graph your savings balance as well.  
No matter that it starts slowly. It’s the momentum that builds over time.


Save in an account that is separate from, and harder for you to access than, your regular bank account. We use ING on line. (http://home.ingdirect.com/) <http://home.ingdirect.com/)>  It is easy. You can transfer funds directly from your bank (and to your bank, should you ever need access). It pays good interest. It is safe. It is one step away from normal, everyday access.