Blog

Mar 26

Why financial tension is a GOOD thing

Tension is what makes us take action. It’s the urgency that we feel when we need to get something done. If there isn’t enough tension, we “push it off” and don’t do anything. With finances, for example, we feel tension when we see a larger than expected credit card bill or a line of credit that just keeps on going up. We know we need to change. But our first gut reaction is to run away from the tension — to get rid of it. So we bail ourselves out by consolidating our debts, refinancing our mortgages, or asking a wealthier family member for a loan. And the debt cycle continues because we got rid of the tension but never really changed our financial behaviors. Let me ask you: What if we didn’t seek to mute our tension, but ran towards it? In other words, instead of procrastinating, what if we: Started to save for unexpected expenses? Came up with a solid plan to pay off our debt? Figured out a way to get smart with our money? Seth Godin put it best when he said: “When you encounter the tension of now, caused by the urgency of action, veer […]

Mar 19

Why budgeting apps don’t work

Mint, Quicken, Mvelopes, and YNAB are just a few budgeting apps out there. They’re all useless. Useless, if you’re not ready to change. All too often, we look for tech to solve our problems.  That’s our starting point.  Like if we find the right computer program or app, all our financial worries will go away. So we load all our data in and categorize for hours.  Finally, we can see where it’s all going, look at some pie charts and graphs. But then we continue with our regular lives. Nothing changes. Know this:  Your willingness, determination, and tension are the main ingredients when it comes to budgeting — not an app. Tech isn’t the solution. You are.

Mar 11

One Powerful Phrase That’ll Change Your Finances and Life

Here are some common things we say: I can’t lose weight. I can’t have supper with you tonight. I can’t get that project done on time. I can’t be happy. Here are some financial (and common) things we say: I can’t pay off my debt. I can’t save money. I can’t budget. I can’t make more money. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t. Does that sound familiar? We say “I can’t” to ourselves all the time. And in some weird way, it makes us feel better — like we become exempt from the trouble because we simply can’t do it. But you and I both know, “I can’t” is just an excuse. Really:  I can’t = I won’t. Ouch, that doesn’t sound so good, right? Here’s an idea. Instead of I can’t, try “I can if…” Permit yourself to dig deeper. I can if _____________________________. (Go ahead, try it.  Fill in the blank.) What would happen if you became a “can-if” person? Like everything is figureoutable. How would your world look? Could something so simple have a profound effect on your finances and your life? I know it does. Do you? Tell me in the comments below.

Feb 26

Is there a better way to deal with your finances?

Most of us keep our finances to ourselves. Kinda like holding a deck of cards to our chest. I get it — we’re afraid what people think about us. Maybe they’ll think we’re a failure. Or worse, maybe they’ll see that we’re a fake. So, as a result, we end up alone in fear of our finances (and interestingly, you can have a spouse and still feel alone.) But what if there was a different way? What if there was a safe-bubble; a group of people who had the same struggles as you, and were all heading in a new direction? Like a community, or a tribe, that gives support and comradery. An openminded group that gives honest feedback, and collectively helps you, and you help them fix their finances. No judgment calls. Ever. What would that look like? How would that make you feel? If someone was holding out their hand and said “Hey! Let’s get out of this place. We’re all heading in a new direction. Hop on!” Would you take the leap? Let me know in the comments. I’m curious.

Feb 25

Financial lingo you need to know

Here’s a list of common financial lingo you probably already know: Spreadsheet Forecast Cash-flow Debt repayment Surplus Retirement savings Unexpected expenses Equally as important, but not as well known, here’s a list of “uncommon” financial lingo: I have the power to change. I can. I will. I’m in charge today. I’m happy with what I got. I’m not going to compare myself with others. I deserve financial control. If you wanna take charge of your money, you have to understand the “uncommon” lingo in your heart. Your finances are dependant on it. It’s that simple. Now it’s your turn… What kinda financial lingo do you tell yourself? What would you like to change it to? Tell me in the comments below. I’m curious.

Feb 18

3 steps to become a financial master

Does “taking control of your finances” sound impossible to you? Sure, you might be able to budget for a week or two, but after that, fuhgeddaboudit. C’mon, you’ll never stick to a budget. Right? Does that sound familiar? Listen carefully; you should know, it IS possible for you to master your money, once and for all. Lucky for you, I have an ancient secret that’ll give you Lance-Armstrong-like endurance for budgeting. (No steroids needed.  I promise.) 💪 💪 💪 What’s the secret? The secret to money-mastery is in the Japanese concept: ShuHaRi. Initially, a martial art approach, ShuHaRi represents the three stages of learning (Shu, Ha, and Ri) that transforms a person from being a novice to a master. (Interestingly, in Japan they don’t talk about “ShuHaRi.” It’s just the way they’ve been learning for hundreds of years.) In a nutshell, here’s how it works: Step 1: Shu (obey) – In the beginning, you seek out a mentor. Mimic their methodologies — following directions to a tee. Just think of “wax on, wax off” in the Karate Kid. Step 2: Ha (digress) – Once you got the basics down cold, you start to branch out and collect other techniques from other mentors. […]

Feb 12

3 ways to save money — without cutting coupons

I’m not a coupon cutter — and probably will never be one. My wife, Yael, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. She always knows where to save 0.50¢ on English Cucumbers and a buck off a box of Cheerios. Yael is what I call a “micro-saver.” Don’t get me wrong; I think coupons and price matching are fantastic. I just wasn’t built like that. I’m more of a “macro-saver” (versus a “micro-saver”). In other words, I look at big ways to save money that don’t take a lot of time. And if you’re a macro-saver like me, today’s your lucky day. Below, I’ve put together my top 3 macro-saving tips, which could put thousands of dollars back into your wallet — without cutting a single coupon. 😉 Tip #1 ThriftBooks.com Thriftbooks connects you to discount wholesalers that’ll sell you a new or used book for a fraction of the retail price. Take Malcolm Gladwell’s, The Tipping Point, for example. In hardcover, Barnes and Nobels sell it for $18.98. At Thriftbooks, it’s $4.59 for a *like-new copy. (* My experience of like-new is that it’s really “like-new.”) In other words, you can buy four books for the price of […]

Feb 05

What I really believe in…

I believe: People can change. A rut is a temporary place to get you to the next level. Spouses can work together as a team. It’s never too late. Urgency makes things happen. Opening up is healthy. Not making a decision is making a decision. Taking control takes guts. Knowing is half of the battle. The other half is doing. and most importantly… You can nail this financial thing. What do you believe? Tell me in the comments below…

Jan 25

The REAL reason why your finances are tankin’

My receptionist, Jessie, one time mistakenly filled up her sister’s car with diesel instead of gas. (If you’re thinking diesel nozzles are designed to be oversized compared to gas — you’re right.  She said she had to really “jam it in there.”) After she drove off, the engine light came on, and the whole car seized up — followed by a tow truck and a big repair bill.  Apparently, using diesel in a car that takes gasoline can ruin a lot of expensive parts. Likewise, we (us humans) also have “tanks.” Not for gas or diesel, per say, but rather for things like love, knowledge, family, friends, career, and spirituality. When one of those “tanks” get’s empty it’s important that we fill it up with the right fuel, kinda like Jesse’s gas tank: The love tank needs to be filled with love, career tank with career stuff, and so on. If the right fuel is in the right tank, our lives run smoothly, we feel “balanced” and “in control.” But when we fill up on the wrong stuff, in the wrong tank, our lives start to break-down. I know about this first hand. Regularly, I used to put friends in […]

Jul 09

How to Budget When You Have ADHD

Quick Intro:  This article was co-written by June Silny (ADHD Coach) and me.  The story is hers, and the humour is mine.  Hope you enjoy ;). For most people, budgeting is tough. And having ADHD makes it even tougher. Believe me, I know all about it — I have ADHD, and in the past, a slew of financial problems.  I drove on bald tires because I couldn’t buy new ones.  At Trader Joe’s, I had to unload the Shreddies and salsa I couldn’t afford. And because of my money blunders, every month I’d overdraw my bank account, rack up the penalty fees, and feel miserable about myself. It’s terrible when you don’t have money.  Oddly enough, you get used to it. Paycheck to paycheck living becomes the new norm. That’s when you know that you’ve hit rock bottom. But there’s good news. Imagine paying your bills on schedule, not overdrawing your bank account, and having lots of money left over.  And no, you won’t have to eat bean burritos at Taco Bell for the rest of your life.   Sounds unimaginable, right?  Let me tell you, it’s easier than you think. THE MAGICAL SOLUTION Recently, I came across a free […]