5 bucks, 10 bucks...100 bucks

Do you wonder where your money goes? Doing up a budget can be helpful, but for the most part I don't find my clients are very accurate about it. Budgets aren't steadfast either. Our budgets change like dirty underwear so to try and stick to one can feel impossible. I'm going to suggest taking a week (it's only one week people) and keeping track of all the LITTLE purchases. I know we tell ourselves (as well as commercials) that we deserve that little treat (coffee, chocolate bar, latte, shoes on sale, a cheap toy for our kids etc.) but more than anything: You deserve to be able to have more TIME FREEDOM. Let me explain: when we purchase all the small short term gratifications we reduce the chances of a much bigger reward (vacation, days off, protecting yourself from emergencies or hmm oh I don't know - RETIREMENT?!?!). It's a vicious cycle, we believe that we need the small treats to feel better about our stressful situations, but then it causes us to feel strapped and unaccomplished at the end of each month. BREAK THE CYCLE. Every time you go to spend a twoonie, a $5/$10/$20 sheet - focus on a bigger DREAM and put it into the "would have spent it on something insignificant but now I'm saving for something awesome" envelope. First pick a dream or goal and WRITE it on the outside of the envelope and keep it in your car or purse. In the beginning it's going to take discipline, I won't even lie to you and say it's easy, but like anything else once you start to see the effects of your efforts I promise you will be a changed person. Working hard to have "stuff" is a societal trap "Show and tell". Instead of caring so much what other people think about your new car or your clothes, switch the focus to caring about taking time off work (without worrying about the cost) and go do something with your family, or people who value your time more than money can buy.

Keep in mind - I was the biggest financial mess I have come across out of all the clients I have seen to this day. If I can change ANYONE can change. You are worth it. My goal is to help you feel the freedom, and enjoy it.