Sharon Marchisello's Blog, page 12
April 9, 2018
Saving Money When Cruising
We just returned from a 16-day cruise, and I'm always amazed at how many fellow passengers face bills from their onboard accounts that exceed the amount paid for their cruise fare. A cruise can be a bargain vacation, but beware, the low fare is a loss leader.
These days, unless you take a high-end cruise that includes the tips, you'll owe a big bill for the automatic gratuities. For example, the service charge on our last cruise was $13.50 per person a day. We used to present an envelope filled with cash to our cabin steward and servers on the last night of the cruise—and that option still exists on many cruise lines—but now with "anytime dining," i.e., "freestyle" or "open seating" it's fairer to go ahead and allow the pooled gratuities. (Hopefully, the money makes it to the people who served you; you'll hear conflicting stories from staff about how equitably the tips are allocated.)
When we first started cruising, many amenities were complimentary: assorted flavors of premium ice cream at a stand by the pool, soft drinks at the buffet, cappuccino after dinner, room service. The gym used to be free; now there are many classes or exercise machines you have to pay to use and secluded relaxation areas only accessible for an extra fee. Just like at home, you have to decide if the pampering is worth the cost.
More and more items offered on cruise ships incur a charge: bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees, specialty ice cream, specialty restaurants. If you indulge, it adds up. We avoid the bottled water expense by bringing water bottles from the airplane and refilling them so we can take water with us when we go ashore. We chill it in the cabin's refrigerator and request a daily bucket of ice to chill our glasses of tap water when we drink in the room. I can do without soft drinks, but my husband likes an occasional cola. We'll buy soda in a grocery store in port and bring it on board (spending around one dollar as opposed to five).
Not being gamblers, we're not tempted by the casino or the growing bingo jackpot. But plenty of passengers are. It can be good fun in moderation. Someone has to win that jackpot. I haven't heard about many people winning big in the casino, though. And those who do usually go back and "reinvest" their winnings. If you play in the casino, set aside an amount you're willing to lose each day (an "entertainment budget") and then stop when it's gone.
As soon as the ship leaves port, the shops in the atrium open up, always advertising some sort of "sale." The T-shirts you didn't get around to buying in the last port. Alcohol and perfume because it's "duty-free." And of course, jewelry. Spend your sea day shopping when you get tired of lying out by the pool. My solution: resist. There's nothing in those shops I need. Keep walking. Go find a nice corner to curl up with a good book.
And then there's the spa/beauty salon. As soon as you board, spa employees coax you to take a complimentary tour, bribe you with free demos and giveaways. You can even have your teeth whitened or get acupuncture. At the end of your free tour, the sweet sales person with the charming accent tries to make you feel guilty if you don't book an appointment. On a previous cruise, one of our tablemates bought $800 worth of stones—he wasn't sure what they did—because he didn't want to hurt the salesgirl's feelings. He suffered from buyer's remorse almost the same day.
I once won a $100 gift certificate to the spa. I was excited until I looked at the price list. My gift certificate wasn't valid for anything I might want, like a haircut, manicure, or massage. The cheapest treatment it could be used for cost $229. I offered my coupon to my table mates and trivia partners, but I couldn't even give it away!
Probably the biggest expense for most travelers (and revenue generator for the cruise line) is alcohol. The markup is so high on board that many passengers try to smuggle their own stash. But the cruise lines are fighting back, confiscating onshore alcohol purchases and keeping the liquor in storage until the last night of the cruise. If they catch you at embarkation, you might not get it back at all.
Our cruise line allowed us each to bring on board one bottle of wine or champagne. However, if you want it served to you in the dining room (and most wine drinkers like wine with their meals), they assess a corkage fee. Some wine connoisseurs feel that, even with the corkage fee, they can still enjoy a better bottle of wine for less than if they bought from the ship's wine list. So far, we haven't been chastised or charged for bringing a glass of wine (poured elsewhere) into the dining room.
Some passengers opt for beverage packages, but the last one I saw was $60 per day per person. And it doesn't even entitle you to premium drinks or bottles of wine in the dining room—you can only order the house wine by the glass. On a cruise last year, one of our tablemates bought a beverage package. Whenever we saw him, he was red-faced, bent over one of the ship's bars, determined to drink his money's worth. He probably doesn't remember where the cruise went.
Because it's so hard to get a free or reasonably priced alcoholic beverage on board, some passengers are sucked into attending the art auctions, with the promise of free champagne. It seems that almost every ship I've sailed on in the past decade holds art auctions on sea days, so the cruise lines must be making money from them.
I have yet to receive a bill for an onboard account that exceeded my cruise fare. But I'm glad there are others who do; the extra revenue the cruise lines are making from onboard sales keeps the fares low!
What tips do you have for saving money on a cruise? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
These days, unless you take a high-end cruise that includes the tips, you'll owe a big bill for the automatic gratuities. For example, the service charge on our last cruise was $13.50 per person a day. We used to present an envelope filled with cash to our cabin steward and servers on the last night of the cruise—and that option still exists on many cruise lines—but now with "anytime dining," i.e., "freestyle" or "open seating" it's fairer to go ahead and allow the pooled gratuities. (Hopefully, the money makes it to the people who served you; you'll hear conflicting stories from staff about how equitably the tips are allocated.)
When we first started cruising, many amenities were complimentary: assorted flavors of premium ice cream at a stand by the pool, soft drinks at the buffet, cappuccino after dinner, room service. The gym used to be free; now there are many classes or exercise machines you have to pay to use and secluded relaxation areas only accessible for an extra fee. Just like at home, you have to decide if the pampering is worth the cost.
More and more items offered on cruise ships incur a charge: bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees, specialty ice cream, specialty restaurants. If you indulge, it adds up. We avoid the bottled water expense by bringing water bottles from the airplane and refilling them so we can take water with us when we go ashore. We chill it in the cabin's refrigerator and request a daily bucket of ice to chill our glasses of tap water when we drink in the room. I can do without soft drinks, but my husband likes an occasional cola. We'll buy soda in a grocery store in port and bring it on board (spending around one dollar as opposed to five).
Not being gamblers, we're not tempted by the casino or the growing bingo jackpot. But plenty of passengers are. It can be good fun in moderation. Someone has to win that jackpot. I haven't heard about many people winning big in the casino, though. And those who do usually go back and "reinvest" their winnings. If you play in the casino, set aside an amount you're willing to lose each day (an "entertainment budget") and then stop when it's gone.
As soon as the ship leaves port, the shops in the atrium open up, always advertising some sort of "sale." The T-shirts you didn't get around to buying in the last port. Alcohol and perfume because it's "duty-free." And of course, jewelry. Spend your sea day shopping when you get tired of lying out by the pool. My solution: resist. There's nothing in those shops I need. Keep walking. Go find a nice corner to curl up with a good book.
And then there's the spa/beauty salon. As soon as you board, spa employees coax you to take a complimentary tour, bribe you with free demos and giveaways. You can even have your teeth whitened or get acupuncture. At the end of your free tour, the sweet sales person with the charming accent tries to make you feel guilty if you don't book an appointment. On a previous cruise, one of our tablemates bought $800 worth of stones—he wasn't sure what they did—because he didn't want to hurt the salesgirl's feelings. He suffered from buyer's remorse almost the same day.
I once won a $100 gift certificate to the spa. I was excited until I looked at the price list. My gift certificate wasn't valid for anything I might want, like a haircut, manicure, or massage. The cheapest treatment it could be used for cost $229. I offered my coupon to my table mates and trivia partners, but I couldn't even give it away!
Probably the biggest expense for most travelers (and revenue generator for the cruise line) is alcohol. The markup is so high on board that many passengers try to smuggle their own stash. But the cruise lines are fighting back, confiscating onshore alcohol purchases and keeping the liquor in storage until the last night of the cruise. If they catch you at embarkation, you might not get it back at all.
Our cruise line allowed us each to bring on board one bottle of wine or champagne. However, if you want it served to you in the dining room (and most wine drinkers like wine with their meals), they assess a corkage fee. Some wine connoisseurs feel that, even with the corkage fee, they can still enjoy a better bottle of wine for less than if they bought from the ship's wine list. So far, we haven't been chastised or charged for bringing a glass of wine (poured elsewhere) into the dining room.
Some passengers opt for beverage packages, but the last one I saw was $60 per day per person. And it doesn't even entitle you to premium drinks or bottles of wine in the dining room—you can only order the house wine by the glass. On a cruise last year, one of our tablemates bought a beverage package. Whenever we saw him, he was red-faced, bent over one of the ship's bars, determined to drink his money's worth. He probably doesn't remember where the cruise went.
Because it's so hard to get a free or reasonably priced alcoholic beverage on board, some passengers are sucked into attending the art auctions, with the promise of free champagne. It seems that almost every ship I've sailed on in the past decade holds art auctions on sea days, so the cruise lines must be making money from them.
I have yet to receive a bill for an onboard account that exceeded my cruise fare. But I'm glad there are others who do; the extra revenue the cruise lines are making from onboard sales keeps the fares low!
What tips do you have for saving money on a cruise? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
March 9, 2018
Countdown to Financial Fitness: It's ON SALE!
Countdown to Financial Fitness: It's ON SALE!: Marked down 40%! ON SALE! TODAY ONLY! Prices slashed in half! Save 60%! Is it something you need? Something you want and were planning ...
It's ON SALE!
Marked down 40%! ON SALE! TODAY ONLY! Prices slashed in half! Save 60%!
Is it something you need? Something you want and were planning to buy anyway? If not, save 100% and don't buy it! Use the money you would have spent for something you do need or want, whether or not it's "on sale."
How many times have you bought an item just because it was on sale? And then found you have no use for it? My mother used to buy shoes in the wrong size and clothes that didn't match anything in her wardrobe, just because they were too inexpensive to pass up. Money down the drain.
Some items are perpetually marked down. Some stores always have a CLEARANCE. Eye-catching end-of-aisle displays beckon you to BUY NOW! Get it at a steal! But sometimes the item is being sold at its regular price; it's just being marketed more prominently. Maybe the store got an extra-large shipment of that product this week and has to find a way to move it out.
Some companies have created a reputation for bargain prices. I have friends who only fly Southwest Airlines because "it's the cheapest." But not always. Sometimes they could have bought a ticket on a major carrier for the same price, with a better schedule and more amenities. But they didn't shop around. They just assumed whatever fare Southwest offered was the best they could do.
What about a "dollar store"? Everything is only a dollar! And you can get some great deals. But I've found canned goods there for a dollar that I could buy in a regular grocery store for 79 cents. Just because it's sold in the "dollar store" doesn't make it automatically a bargain.
My husband and I usually visit an outlet mall during the holiday season, aiming to fill holes in our wardrobe and whittle down our gift list at the same time. But I've noticed outlet malls don't always offer the lowest prices.
Warehouse stores such as Costco, Sam's, BJ's, etc., boast lower prices on many items—both big-ticket purchases and everyday necessities. But don't assume because a product is sold in a warehouse—or outlet mall, or other "discount" store—that it's the best deal. Sometimes an item can be purchased at your local grocery or department store for less, especially on sale and/or with a coupon. It's important to compare prices. Also, warehouse stores charge annual membership fees, so if you join, make sure you'll shop there enough to offset the cost. Before joining, visit with a member or ask a store employee if you can come in and have a look around, to determine whether a membership will benefit you.
Plan your purchases. Do some research about what things should cost. That way, when you see something you want "on sale" you'll know if it's truly a good buy.
What tips do you have for bargain shopping? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
Is it something you need? Something you want and were planning to buy anyway? If not, save 100% and don't buy it! Use the money you would have spent for something you do need or want, whether or not it's "on sale."
How many times have you bought an item just because it was on sale? And then found you have no use for it? My mother used to buy shoes in the wrong size and clothes that didn't match anything in her wardrobe, just because they were too inexpensive to pass up. Money down the drain.
Some items are perpetually marked down. Some stores always have a CLEARANCE. Eye-catching end-of-aisle displays beckon you to BUY NOW! Get it at a steal! But sometimes the item is being sold at its regular price; it's just being marketed more prominently. Maybe the store got an extra-large shipment of that product this week and has to find a way to move it out.
Some companies have created a reputation for bargain prices. I have friends who only fly Southwest Airlines because "it's the cheapest." But not always. Sometimes they could have bought a ticket on a major carrier for the same price, with a better schedule and more amenities. But they didn't shop around. They just assumed whatever fare Southwest offered was the best they could do.
What about a "dollar store"? Everything is only a dollar! And you can get some great deals. But I've found canned goods there for a dollar that I could buy in a regular grocery store for 79 cents. Just because it's sold in the "dollar store" doesn't make it automatically a bargain.
My husband and I usually visit an outlet mall during the holiday season, aiming to fill holes in our wardrobe and whittle down our gift list at the same time. But I've noticed outlet malls don't always offer the lowest prices.
Warehouse stores such as Costco, Sam's, BJ's, etc., boast lower prices on many items—both big-ticket purchases and everyday necessities. But don't assume because a product is sold in a warehouse—or outlet mall, or other "discount" store—that it's the best deal. Sometimes an item can be purchased at your local grocery or department store for less, especially on sale and/or with a coupon. It's important to compare prices. Also, warehouse stores charge annual membership fees, so if you join, make sure you'll shop there enough to offset the cost. Before joining, visit with a member or ask a store employee if you can come in and have a look around, to determine whether a membership will benefit you.
Plan your purchases. Do some research about what things should cost. That way, when you see something you want "on sale" you'll know if it's truly a good buy.
What tips do you have for bargain shopping? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
February 26, 2018
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Reducing Paper Waste
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Reducing Paper Waste: Last week we planted trees to celebrate Georgia's Arbor Day. The goal of planting these flowering species was to attract pollinators, w...
Reducing Paper Waste
Last week we planted trees to celebrate Georgia's Arbor Day. The goal of planting these flowering species was to attract pollinators, which have been on the decline in recent decades, threatening the world's food supply.
When I think of trees, I also think of products we derive from them. Like paper. And how much paper is wasted every day. And how many trees could be saved if we didn't waste so much paper.
So here are some tips to minimize the amount of paper we waste:
· Resist the urge to print out every email you receive. I once had a boss who did that. Detailed directions, prep for an upcoming meeting, a completed progress report, I could see. A phone number? Confirmation of a lunch date? Why waste a clean sheet of paper, as well as printer ink? Jot it down on a piece of scratch paper. A simple joke or daily platitude? Read and delete. In the mountains of paper you're keeping, you'll never find it again anyway.
· Capacity for electronic storage is increasing, especially with The Cloud. Handle electronically as much bill paying, record keeping, and correspondence as possible. (But do pay attention to cybersecurity, and make it a habit to back up your data regularly.). At the Fayette Humane Society where I volunteer, we used to spend close to $2000 every quarter to produce and distribute our 8-page newsletter, complete with color photos. Converting to electronic distribution was met with a lot of resistance, but we finally did it. The money we save is better spent on caring for the animals we rescue.
· Print on both sides of a sheet of paper whenever possible. Some writers find it impossible to edit on the computer. If you must print out your drafts to find errors, why not use both sides of the page? If your printer doesn't do "double-sided," print on the back of old draft copies.
· Don't waste a clean sheet of printer paper to jot down a reminder or make a grocery list. Why not recycle a junk-mail envelope, or use one of those free notepads sent by charities?
· Print out directions, hotel confirmations, and boarding passes on recycled paper. The TSA agent won't care that the back of your e-ticket contains a marked-up excerpt from your novel-in-progress.
· Shred no-longer-needed documents and use them for packaging or to line a birdcage. Or donate to an animal shelter as a puppy-pad substitute.
Reducing paper waste not only helps the environment, it can save you money. And there's nothing like financial motivation to do the right thing.
What tips do you have for saving money on paper? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
When I think of trees, I also think of products we derive from them. Like paper. And how much paper is wasted every day. And how many trees could be saved if we didn't waste so much paper.
So here are some tips to minimize the amount of paper we waste:
· Resist the urge to print out every email you receive. I once had a boss who did that. Detailed directions, prep for an upcoming meeting, a completed progress report, I could see. A phone number? Confirmation of a lunch date? Why waste a clean sheet of paper, as well as printer ink? Jot it down on a piece of scratch paper. A simple joke or daily platitude? Read and delete. In the mountains of paper you're keeping, you'll never find it again anyway.
· Capacity for electronic storage is increasing, especially with The Cloud. Handle electronically as much bill paying, record keeping, and correspondence as possible. (But do pay attention to cybersecurity, and make it a habit to back up your data regularly.). At the Fayette Humane Society where I volunteer, we used to spend close to $2000 every quarter to produce and distribute our 8-page newsletter, complete with color photos. Converting to electronic distribution was met with a lot of resistance, but we finally did it. The money we save is better spent on caring for the animals we rescue.
· Print on both sides of a sheet of paper whenever possible. Some writers find it impossible to edit on the computer. If you must print out your drafts to find errors, why not use both sides of the page? If your printer doesn't do "double-sided," print on the back of old draft copies.
· Don't waste a clean sheet of printer paper to jot down a reminder or make a grocery list. Why not recycle a junk-mail envelope, or use one of those free notepads sent by charities?
· Print out directions, hotel confirmations, and boarding passes on recycled paper. The TSA agent won't care that the back of your e-ticket contains a marked-up excerpt from your novel-in-progress.
· Shred no-longer-needed documents and use them for packaging or to line a birdcage. Or donate to an animal shelter as a puppy-pad substitute.
Reducing paper waste not only helps the environment, it can save you money. And there's nothing like financial motivation to do the right thing.
What tips do you have for saving money on paper? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
February 13, 2018
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Don't Let Valentine's Day Break the Bank
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Don't Let Valentine's Day Break the Bank: Valentine's Day is a romantic occasion; a time to splurge, to prove your love for your partner. If you're dating someone, it's ...
Don't Let Valentine's Day Break the Bank
Valentine's Day is a romantic occasion; a time to splurge, to prove your love for your partner. If you're dating someone, it's an opportunity to show your intentions.
Who doesn't like to be pampered?
Just don't let the pressure of impressing others drive you to spend more than you can afford. Like any other expense, Valentine's Day gifts should be planned for and budgeted. After all, the holiday comes around every year.
Don't have two dozen roses delivered to your spouse's office by a singing Cupid because you're afraid her colleagues will scoff at a simple spring bouquet and a homemade card. Or that someone else's spouse will outdo you.
She may love being surprised by a pair of diamond earrings, but they'll lose their sparkle once you're saddled with the extra credit card debt. And not many people need the calories in a two-pound box of imported chocolates, despite the initial joy of receiving it. A small sample of her favorites to savor might generate the same appreciation.
The old adage, "It's the thought that counts" may sound like an excuse for being a cheapskate. But there are plenty of ways you can recognize the special day and demonstrate your love without spending a lot of money.
Time is one of our most valuable commodities. Why not take that long walk in the park with her you've been promising? Why not sit down and watch that game with him, even though you hate sports? Accompany it with a home-cooked meal and a bottle of your beloved's favorite bubbly.
If you're in a new relationship, the way the other person handles the holiday will supply clues about what is to come. The person who showers you with expensive gifts might be generous. But she might also be a poor manager of money. The person who writes you a poem in lieu of buying a present might be a romantic, or maybe he's just a tightwad.
Do you really want to spend your days with someone who was insulted that you bought her flowers from the grocery store or the kid on the street corner instead of from the town's best florist? Or maybe you are that person, and you can't abide such party-pooping frugality from your partner on a romantic holiday.
If your relationship is getting serious, Valentine's Day can prompt you to have that all-important talk about money. Is one person a saver, and the other a spender? Before you commit to a life together, find out if your attitudes are compatible because chances are, they probably won't change.
Disagreement over money is one of the leading causes of divorce. The more you know about each other, especially about each other's approach to handling money, the better the chances that the relationship will last.
How do you plan to spend Valentine's Day? Will you think about money, or go all out with a splurge? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
Who doesn't like to be pampered?
Just don't let the pressure of impressing others drive you to spend more than you can afford. Like any other expense, Valentine's Day gifts should be planned for and budgeted. After all, the holiday comes around every year.
Don't have two dozen roses delivered to your spouse's office by a singing Cupid because you're afraid her colleagues will scoff at a simple spring bouquet and a homemade card. Or that someone else's spouse will outdo you.
She may love being surprised by a pair of diamond earrings, but they'll lose their sparkle once you're saddled with the extra credit card debt. And not many people need the calories in a two-pound box of imported chocolates, despite the initial joy of receiving it. A small sample of her favorites to savor might generate the same appreciation.
The old adage, "It's the thought that counts" may sound like an excuse for being a cheapskate. But there are plenty of ways you can recognize the special day and demonstrate your love without spending a lot of money.
Time is one of our most valuable commodities. Why not take that long walk in the park with her you've been promising? Why not sit down and watch that game with him, even though you hate sports? Accompany it with a home-cooked meal and a bottle of your beloved's favorite bubbly.
If you're in a new relationship, the way the other person handles the holiday will supply clues about what is to come. The person who showers you with expensive gifts might be generous. But she might also be a poor manager of money. The person who writes you a poem in lieu of buying a present might be a romantic, or maybe he's just a tightwad.
Do you really want to spend your days with someone who was insulted that you bought her flowers from the grocery store or the kid on the street corner instead of from the town's best florist? Or maybe you are that person, and you can't abide such party-pooping frugality from your partner on a romantic holiday.
If your relationship is getting serious, Valentine's Day can prompt you to have that all-important talk about money. Is one person a saver, and the other a spender? Before you commit to a life together, find out if your attitudes are compatible because chances are, they probably won't change.
Disagreement over money is one of the leading causes of divorce. The more you know about each other, especially about each other's approach to handling money, the better the chances that the relationship will last.
How do you plan to spend Valentine's Day? Will you think about money, or go all out with a splurge? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
February 2, 2018
Staying on Track with Goals
We're a month into the new year, and many resolutions, although made with the best intentions, have already fallen by the wayside. But instead of giving up, why not try to figure out what's not working and recommit? You still have eleven months to get something accomplished this year.
Maybe the goal is not specific enough. "Save more for retirement" is vague. How much are you saving now? Whatever it is, vow to increase your contribution by a realistic percentage. Go online today or call your employer's human resource department and adjust your payroll deductions. If you don't have a workplace retirement plan, set up or increase automatic contributions from your bank account to an IRA.
Maybe the goal is not measurable. "Manage my money better" doesn't have any criteria attached. What does managing your money better look like? How can you tell when you've reached your goal?
Maybe the goal is not really achievable. "Become debt-free" might be a pipe dream if you're mired in credit card bills or skating on the brink of bankruptcy. Sort of like, "look good in a bikini this summer" or "run a marathon" when you're 100 pounds overweight and have never exercised in your life. Start smaller. Identify one bill to tackle, preferably the account with the highest interest rate, and focus on retiring that debt. Or choose a card with a relatively low balance, pay it off completely, and vow to keep it clean (paid in full, on time, every month) so you can use it for new purchases without incurring additional interest while you pay down other debt.
Maybe the goal isn't realistic. "Save enough for a down payment on a house" could be out of reach if your income isn't covering your daily living expenses. Look for ways you can reduce those expenses so you have enough income left over to start saving. Setting a goal that is too lofty just leads to frustration.
Maybe the goal doesn't have a timeline. "Start an emergency fund" is a good goal, but when are you planning to start? How often will you contribute to the fund to build it, and by what date will you strive to accumulate what amount? For example, maybe you'll set aside ten dollars per paycheck, beginning with the next one. Maybe you're expecting a bonus or a tax refund soon, and you'll use that windfall to jumpstart your emergency fund.
If your resolutions are off-track, take another look at what you set out to accomplish and why. Then tune up your goals to make them specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-limited.
What New Year's Resolutions did you make this year? How are you doing with them? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
Maybe the goal is not specific enough. "Save more for retirement" is vague. How much are you saving now? Whatever it is, vow to increase your contribution by a realistic percentage. Go online today or call your employer's human resource department and adjust your payroll deductions. If you don't have a workplace retirement plan, set up or increase automatic contributions from your bank account to an IRA.
Maybe the goal is not measurable. "Manage my money better" doesn't have any criteria attached. What does managing your money better look like? How can you tell when you've reached your goal?
Maybe the goal is not really achievable. "Become debt-free" might be a pipe dream if you're mired in credit card bills or skating on the brink of bankruptcy. Sort of like, "look good in a bikini this summer" or "run a marathon" when you're 100 pounds overweight and have never exercised in your life. Start smaller. Identify one bill to tackle, preferably the account with the highest interest rate, and focus on retiring that debt. Or choose a card with a relatively low balance, pay it off completely, and vow to keep it clean (paid in full, on time, every month) so you can use it for new purchases without incurring additional interest while you pay down other debt.
Maybe the goal isn't realistic. "Save enough for a down payment on a house" could be out of reach if your income isn't covering your daily living expenses. Look for ways you can reduce those expenses so you have enough income left over to start saving. Setting a goal that is too lofty just leads to frustration.
Maybe the goal doesn't have a timeline. "Start an emergency fund" is a good goal, but when are you planning to start? How often will you contribute to the fund to build it, and by what date will you strive to accumulate what amount? For example, maybe you'll set aside ten dollars per paycheck, beginning with the next one. Maybe you're expecting a bonus or a tax refund soon, and you'll use that windfall to jumpstart your emergency fund.
If your resolutions are off-track, take another look at what you set out to accomplish and why. Then tune up your goals to make them specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-limited.
What New Year's Resolutions did you make this year? How are you doing with them? I'd love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Staying on Track with Goals
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Staying on Track with Goals: We're a month into the new year, and many resolutions, although made with the best intentions, have already fallen by the wayside. But ...
January 5, 2018
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Get Organized for Financial Fitness
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Get Organized for Financial Fitness: Lots of people include "getting organized" on their list of New Year's Resolutions. Getting organized—and staying organized—c...
