We’re closing in on the last few months of 2015. I look back and marvel at what a crazy, busy and fulfilling year it has been. I hope you feel the same way. We have three months remaining in 2015, and depending on your perspective, you either have plenty of time left to achieve your goals or you are starting to panic. Regardless, there is still enough time to feel good about your financial health by year-end. Remember — you don’t need to accomplish everything at once. I know from firsthand experience that even small steps forward have meaning, especially when you make them daily.
I encourage you to take a few minutes and think of one small step or action you can take to improve your financial well-being this weekend. It could be setting up automatic bill pay to avoid late fee charges or increasing your 401k contribution by 1% or making sure your beneficiary forms are up-to-date or creating a meal plan for the week.
Better yet, take 30 minutes and write down every task you need to accomplish before year-end. Yes, it will likely be long and little scary. But you’ve completed the first and most important step: identifying your to-do’s. The next to-do is to prioritize and break each task down into small steps. If you can carve out 10 minutes every day to complete a step, think of all you can accomplish by December 31st. Goals aren’t achieved overnight; they are achieved by taking consistent action.
Here are my favorite posts from September. Enjoy!
Laurie from Fruclassity shared Without a Reason, There’s Always an Excuse. Great post on how our spending on the little things prevent (or at least delay) achievement of the the things that we truly want.
A second-degree burn led Tonya from Budget and the Beach to realize the value of Shedding Your Skin. A great motivational post to help you go from “should” to “am” and shed old fears.
Cat from Budget Blonde outlined 4 Ways to Avoid Being a Workaholic, which is something I have been accused of being myself. Work is important, but there has to be a balance for both your own sake and your family’s well-being.
Michelle from See Debt Run shared her Family Money Rules. Something we all need to have and share with our family. Her list is both humorous and 100% spot on. 🙂
Kim over at Eyes on the Dollar reminded us of The Importance of Finishing Strong. Many people put a lot of emphasis on starting strong, which isn’t wrong, but sometimes people over exert themselves and wind up quitting long before they ever reach the finish line.
Hayley at Disease Called Debt shared 10 Free or Cheap Things To Do in Autumn. This is my favorite time of the year and she has some great suggestions for frugal fun that you can take advantage of this weekend.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Shannon
SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
There are a number of things I had hoped to have completed by now and don't. Time for a shift in mindset...