Fresh Start 2013: Declutter Your Finances

Hey Money Maven!

The new year is right around the  corner and it’s a great time to declutter your life and make room for more of what you really want.

Where do I start?

One of the greatest sources of clutter and confusion is finances.

I know you have it… 

• Bank statements and Bills piled a mile high on the kitchen counter
• Loose change and Receipts stuffed in your purse or wallet
• You can’t seem to locate your checkbook, although you know it is somewhere in the house.
• You’ve got gift cards from last Christmas with increments of $8.88, $1.35, or they’re completely unused.
• The desk you pay your bills at has used food wrappers, crumbs and lots of dust balls. You can’t see the surface.
• You can’t remember which of your five checking accounts has available money for spending.
• You are racking up debt using your credit card, only because you aren’t sure how much money is in your checking account to pay for every day expenses.

OK, maybe this isn’t exactly your picture, but you get the idea. Disorganization, uncleanliness, vagueness, overwhelm, disrespect  and stagnant energy all live under the roof of “clutter.”

It’s time to clear it all up so you can focus on your financial goals.

TAKE ACTION!

STEP 1 – Create A Simple Budget

Do you know how much money is coming in and going out each month?  Getting real and having a handle on that is the first step.

STEP 2 – Start Dating Your Money

Create a special area in your home where you pay bills and manage money. It can be small, clean and supplied with a pen, post its, stamps, calculator, writing pad.

Establish a bill pay plan. A bill doesn’t have to be paid on the day it arrives.  Simply schedule a monthly, or even biweekly, block of time to review and pay your bills.  I like to call this a money Date. ( and you don’t even have to get all dolled up)

STEP 3 – Keep It Simple Sista (Kiss, Kiss)

All it takes is 13 folders to  organize a year’s worth of paid bills. It’s simple… Just label each of the tabs with the name of the month and leave the last one empty for the year’s tax return. When you pay a bill, file it in the month paid along with credit card receipts and bank statements. That’s all.

READY TO OPEN YOUR FLOW WITH MONEY?  BEGIN HERE!