03Jul 2023 by Russ

Wild Money Success

Blog, Getting Started
How would you define Wild Success for you and your money? Would you think in terms of a dollar amount in your checking account? Would you measure success by your 401k balance? Your portfolio? Maybe success for you is having a big house and a beach house? Or, Money Success may be measured by how much you give away each year. If you are to achieve Money Success, you must define what that means to you. Take some time with a pen and a piece of paper. At the top of the page write "Wild Success with My Money Means:" List as many ideas that come to mind. Be unreasonable in your thinking at first. Later, come back to your list and edit it. Is it possible to accomplish your…
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12May 2021 by Meghan Smith

Ten Random Thoughts of a Person that is NOT in Control of Their Money!

Getting Started, Money Worries
  1.   I wonder what my bank balance is.   2.   How many credit cards do I have?   3.   Which credit card has a little room for dinner or a fill up at the gas station?   4.   Thank goodness I haven’t gotten an overdraft notice this month.   5.   One of these days I will start saving.   6.   If I could get a big raise, all of my money problems would be solved.   7.   I wonder how all of my friends can afford their cars and boats and trips.   8.   A budget is just too restrictive.   9.   One day I’ll be OK with my money.  10.  Maybe I’ll win the lottery and then I’ll be rich. Can you identify with any of these thoughts? Maybe today you have thought one…
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11Feb 2020 by Russ

Your Budget start in 2020!

Budgeting, Getting Started, Spending Plan
How are you doing with your money in the new year? People that I talk with answer that many different ways.  Some say that they are doing well.  Others say that nothing has changed. People that are doing well with their money report that they have more confidence that they know where their money is going.  Their budget or spending plan is not perfect but it is getting better.  They are making progress in being more effective telling their money where to go.  They have set some goals and are making progress toward them.  It may be a starter emergency fund or beginning to reduce debt.  The common denominator of progress with your money is a budget. Those people that are struggling with money are frustrated.  Some of them report…
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03Dec 2019 by Russ

Components of a Financial Assessment Part 2

Budgeting, Financial Assessment, Getting Started
Components of a Financial Assessment Part 1 listed the beginning of understanding your own financial situation. The first steps include determining your Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Next, list your income and expenses. You need to know how you will track or record your financial transactions. Then, begin building your budget-the key to controlling your money and financial future! After understanding these ideas, here are a few ideas for your next steps! Do you have a will?                 Having an up to date will is a great gift to give your loved ones.  You know you need one.  Begin to think about your will and the directives that you would have for your assets.  Take the steps to create an online will or talk to an attorney to begin the…
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08Nov 2019 by Russ

Components of a Financial Assessment

Budgeting, Financial Assessment, Getting Started
In order to start on the journey to Financial Peace of Mind, you first need to determine where you are. This means that you need to assess your financial situation. This might seem scary, but no matter how good or bad the situation, the more you understand the situation, the easier it will be to improve it. You may have heard the saying that a problem understood is a problem half solved. After completing a financial assessment, you will have taken the first step to understanding where you are with your money. You can then set realistic goals for you and your money Today, we will look at fundamentals of a financial assessment, and in the next blog post we will discuss other aspects of a personal financial assessment that…
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25Sep 2019 by Russ

How to Eliminate the Sleepless Nights!

Budgeting, Getting Started, Money Worries
How do you eliminate the sleepless nights caused by your money worries?  How do you eliminate the sleepless nights caused by your money worries?  Your mailbox is a constant stream of reminders that you are late or past due or overdrawn. You want money peace of mind! You know that you should be able to be better at handling your money.  You know that you are capable of getting this under control!  What is wrong with your system?  You may need accountability.  You may need a new system. Most people are struggling with money, in fact, 76% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.  Perhaps you can identify with this struggle.  You may have wondered where your money has gone.  You may have found yourself with too much month at the…
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12Sep 2019 by Russ

How do I start?

Budgeting, Getting Started
What do I Need to do to Begin Gaining Control of My Money? Four Essential Steps! What are the fundamentals that you need to have in place to gain control of your money? The Tools: List of Assets or things that you own.List of Liabilities or things that you owe.A register or list of money transactions.A budget or spending plan. List of Assets that you own: This list is the place to begin. The list the assets includes cash on hand, checking account balances, savings account balances, retirement balance and other investments. This list includes items that you could easily convert to cash. The only other asset type that should be included in this list is real estate that is in your name. For this list, do not include items…
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