Financial Freedom with Jodi

How do you know you've been talking to your children about finances over the years? When this is his response to a word problem he had to figure out in Math about a boy who had spent quite a bit of money. 🤣 Start them young!

Big changes can have small beginnings. Just keep working your plan. If you need help forming a plan, reach out.

When (not if but when, because we all do it) you overspend or get off course, reflect on it and move forward. Let it be a bump in the road not the end of it.

Just for fun let me know what you would you choose!

It's not too early to start thinking about Christmas ideas. 🤣😂 Anyone else slightly tempted to try this?

If you've been thinking about getting a better grip on your finances, starting the process can be the hardest. Take it one step at a time and do something to get you closer to your goal this week. Pack your lunch, make a budget, start planning for Christmas, meal plan, pick one thing and get started. You can do this, and I'm here to help.

Telling yourself or your loved ones no can be so difficult. Find an accountability partner (spouse, friend, or mentor) to help keep you on track!

🎄Do you see what I see? Christmas lights have started going up near me! That means Christmas shopping is going to sneak up on you if you don't have a plan. Figure one out this weekend. Plan your budget and where you're going to pull that money from. Reach out if you need help.

*Please note, it's up to $20,000 and up to $10,000 per person. You and your spouse could both qualify. For more information visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/24/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-student-loan-relief-for-borrowers-who-need-it-most/

Graphic by The Educator's Room

This invoice from a kind and generous plumber is going viral. Use this as further motivation to get your financials in order. When you have freedom with your finances, being generous on a giant scale is possible!

Quick tip if you're heading out to the fair:

Decide ahead of time how much you're willing to spend on the fun and grab that much cash before you go. My children are always given cash and expected to stick to their budget. This teaches them on a very small scale money is not endless and to prioritize what they're willing to spend it on. This year my youngest asked me what his budget was when we started making plans to go. Little things help shape behaviors.

1, 3, 4, & 8 have helped us keep our budget balanced with this inflation. What other things have you done?

Here's a quick reminder as big retailers are gearing up for sales this week. If you need to buy it, buying it on sale is definitely an advantage. However, a good deal isn't a good deal if you weren't planning on buying it anyway.

If you've been a client of mine, you've heard me talk about having an emergency fund. Yesterday my dryer went out. Instead of it becoming an emergency and buying one on payments, we went and bought one with cash. An added bonus, my oldest son is strong enough now to take my place in swapping them out. 👏👏

If you don't have an emergency fund, reach out I'll meet with you and help you form a plan. I hope you don't need one, but it'll be there if you do.

According to several sites (Forbes, Lending Tree, and Credit Karma), the average for a new car payment is $644, and a used car payment averages $488. If you can't truly afford a different vehicle, detail the one you have a grab some air fresheners! Say no you yourself now so you can say yes to yourself and others later!

🍽🍓🍇🌮Cutting back significantly on eating out has helped my family offset some of the inflation we are seeing. Meal planning and prepping is what it takes for me to make eating at home happen. It isn't always pretty (the 📸 is proof!) but it doesn't have to be perfect to be progress! What is working for you?

My son is leaving tomorrow for camp. In order to keep him from spending all his money on the way down, we put him on the envelope system. Start them off young. ✉️ ✉️ ✉️

Especially right now, it's easy for people to focus on the negatives of their financial situation. Start the weekend off by making a list of everything you're doing right. Then use that as motivation to stay on track this weekend.

👏👏👏Yes!!!! Be genuinely happy for others; there's plenty of room on the winners stand for all!

Sometimes you have to tell yourself no now so you can say yes to your future. If you are in a good spot financially, make sure you budget in some fun!

Set yourself up to succeed in May! As we are entering ❤Wedding Season,❤ be sure to budget room for gifts, traveling, and new outfits if needed. Also, don't forget Mother's Day! 💞 I'm always here to help if needed!

I was delighted when I saw I had the gym to myself yet again today, but then a thought came to mind. Six a.m. was prime time during January; I hope it doesn't mean people have strayed from their goals. It's none of my business where they stand with their gym goals, but I want to remind you of the goal you set in January. Check in on it; are you on your way to achieving it?

Anyone else remember these days? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ Choose your investments wisely and do your research.

Preplanning how to spend your upcoming tax refund, bonus check, inheritance, etc is a great idea. Plan ahead, just don't spend ahead; wait to make those purchases until the money hits your account.

The government announced another extension on student loan payments. I still highly encourage you to make payments if possible during this time. You'll make so much progress during this pause!

Setting goals in many different areas can help keep you focused. Is there anything you'd add to this list?

✏️Quick note✏️

🧊 Freezing can actually be a great thing! Did you know you can freeze your child's credit to help prevent identity theft? You'll just need to make sure you unfreeze it when it's time. 🧊

🍯 Spread sweetness today! 🍯

💯 Everyone makes mistakes, financial and otherwise. Your mistakes don't make you a failure; use them to propel you forward.

Just another money saving tip for you. 🤣

The people who jump all in to this process, almost always end up seeing change in other areas of their lives. When they aren't stressed about finances, they are more focused at their job, a better parent, more involved spouse or friend. If you're ready to take the first step, reach out.

Here's a post from Ramsey Solutions you may find helpful. There’s never been a better time to make a little extra cash—especially from the comfort of your home. Just start thinking about your passions and hobbies, as well as what you have to work with.

What would you add to this list?

Here are a few tips that might help you absorb some of the rising costs. Let me know if I can help you!

Meeting clients one-on-one and seeing their growth is the best part of my job! ❤❤

In order to respect the privacy of my clients, I won't attach names to their reviews. However, I have a few that said they're happy to talk one-on-one with any of you about their experience. Reach out if you want me to connect you.

Be wise with a little, so you can handle a lot.

Everyone has made mistakes with money; it's what you learn from them that counts.