Money Matters: Focusing on Finances

money matters, money talks, tips and tricks, budget and finance

Starting a family is a grand adventure. As you move from a single individual to part of a married couple and on to a part of a family, there are a lot of things to consider. Your finances change drastically at every stage of life. There are things you can do to help you prepare.

No matter the stage of life, you should always be budgeting. This simply lets you know how much you make, how much you spend, and what you spend it on.

Better Financial Choices

Financial management is the process of wisely budgeting, spending, saving, and investing your earnings. It is important to get on the same page about money when you are in a relationship. Couples that are in open communication money, avoid debt, and don’t spend more than they earn tend to have better relationships.

  • Identify your habits and attitudes around money.
  • Make a budget and live within your means.
  • Avoid debt and use good judgment when it comes managing loans.
  • Open a checking and savings account.
  • Build an emergency fund.
  • Set goals and have those difficult discussions around money.

Steps For Success

money matters, money talks, tips and tricks, budget and finance

Getting on solid financial ground takes time and requires that you be intentional about your money. Here are some baby steps you can start taking.

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Thankful Thursday: Of Gratitude + Everyday Blessings

Indeed, there is no room in our hearts and lives for hate if we are ever filled with gratitude.

This past week, I am thankful for:

:heart: meeting up with beautiful old friends
:heart: seafood feast with my family
:heart: catching up and coffee
:heart: surprises in the mail
:heart: opportunities for the blogs
:heart: journaling and journaling inspirations on Instagram
:heart: funny antics by my little man that never fail to make me smile
:heart: meeting like-minded people who share my interest
:heart: finishing my first read for 2018 and figuring out which ones to read next
:heart: the sudden cold weather
:heart: afternoon zzzz and snuggles

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My One Word For 2018

mindfulness, mindful living, mum inspires, words

It took awhile to come up with this post but since the beginning of the year, I knew the one word that I would like to be my guide for 2018. I’ve chanced upon this word several times late last year during meditation, and I must agree, it best signifies how I would like to live my life this year. It ought to be “be present” but since that clearly violates the concept, I settled for present.

Present is an adjective that connotes {of a person} in a particular place.  The word is synonymous to:

  • in attendance
  • here
  • nearby
  • {close/near} at hand
  • available

The word also means existing or occurring now and is synonymous to current, present-day, or existing. I thought both meanings are applicable.

As always, I would love to be present in the here and now. Be present whilst life unfolds before me as life is way too short. If I am elsewhere, I will be missing a lot of what’s happening in the present, its simple pleasures, its simple miracles. Much like this photo I took earlier today. If I was preoccupied as usual and not in tune in the present, I wouldn’t have noticed this beautiful butterfly circling in my plants this morning, perhaps visiting her birthing place. It was probably the same caterpillar that feasted on my calamansi plant not too long ago, and took one of its little branches to cocoon itself, biding its time to become what it is today. Don’t you love the details on its wings?

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