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Sunday, December 13, 2009

How Much Are You Worth?

I used to think that I wasn’t worth that much. My first job I made $3.35 an hour. At the time I thought that was great. I worked at McDonalds, first as the fry person, then the cook, then the big move to cashier. I thought I hit it big time, I was so proud of myself.

After about a year and a half I moved up to Administrative Assistant, I got a dime raise. This job entailed counting all of that day’s money and then taking it to the bank. I would take thousands of dollars a day to the bank – for $3.45 an hour. I learned a lot from working at McDonalds and I did actually love working there. They wanted me to be manager but I didn’t want the responsibility. Who knows maybe I would have gone up to, $3.50 an hour.

I guess what I am trying to say is don’t sell yourself short. I thought I was only worth what they were willing to give me, in all reality I was worth a lot more. I worked hard, I was there every day, and I learned all they would teach me. I sucked up all the knowledge and still use most of it today. Which is great for me now, but what about back then? I sold myself for what I pay now for a cup of Starbucks Chai Tea Latte. I suffered; I barely made it, why did I do that to myself?

I have done this to myself for 40 years. I think I don’t deserve it, that I shouldn’t ask. I want someone to like me, or I want them to hire me, so I give a low ball price. It’s time to look out for me. I have to and you have to look out for you. Don’t suffer anymore and quit thinking you’re not worth it. You are! Quit sabotaging yourself because you’re afraid. Believe it and it will happen. Whatever your “it” is.

Do you know how many times I sabotaged myself? I quit before I started because I was scared. We’ll no more! It’s time to get my life the way I want it. It’s time to spend my waking hours doing what I love. I am going to find it. I am on my way, I can feel it. And this time I am not going to run.

Written by Tammy J. Bray

Sun, December 13, 2009 | link Comments

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Spend Yourself Poor

Do you spend all the money you receive? As soon as it gets in your hands...you have to spend it. Do you go out to eat every night of the week, buy things you don't need, or just loan it to other people who don't pay you back, and then before you know it is all gone. And then think, I am so poor, I am never going to out of this hole.

This used to be me too. I can't tell you how long it took to get me out of the "poor" mentality. Well, now that I think about I can, it took close to 40 years. 40 years to quit spending foolishly. To finally realize what I was doing to myself and my family. Let me share with you a couple things I learned.

1. Save some of that money. Whether it is, your paycheck, tax return, bonus, gift, or however you may receive it. Pay yourself first.

I recently started saving 10% of my take home pay. It took a little while to get used to saving, but it can be done. And it adds up fast. And before you know it you have money for the flat tire to be fixed, or the furnace that breaks in the middle of the night.

Now every time I get unexpected money, or its tax refund time, I put some in savings.

2. You can start anywhere. How about $7.50 a week? That is approximately one lunch, or two tall lattes at Starbucks. Just start. Pick an amount you can work with, put it in your piggy bank at home or move it to your savings account.

I used to have $7.50 directly deposited in to my savings account, and truthfully I never missed it. Then when that unexpected bill came, I had money to pay it. I was surprised how fast just that little bit added up.

3. When you can save more do it. When you get that raise, bonus, gift, etc., put that extra money directly into savings (or at least a portion). Just keep living the way you have been living before the raise.  I also suggest giving yourself a "savings" raise. Add .50 cents in a couple months.  And then keep adding as you can.

What I found was that when I got a raise I would do something with that money that wasn't necessary.  Like order something that involved a monthly bill, or buy something that I didn't really need. I would make plans for it as soon as I got it.  Not thinking of all the times in the past when I needed my car fixed and didn't have the money.

4. Make it a game. Challenge yourself to save one week’s take home pay. Then make it two. Then try to save your half of the bills or one month’s salary. Whatever works for you.

I started out trying to save for one month’s worth of "my half of the bills." I would save my 10% take home but I also found other ways to add money. Like talking to the phone company to get my bill reduced, or use coupons for groceries and other household items. I found myself trying to be more creative in reducing my bills and doing without so I could meet my challenge. I am now shooting for 6 months of “my half of the bills.”

5. Think positive. If you keep saying your poor, you will be poor. Quit saying, "I don't have any money, I don't know what we are going to do." Have faith. Thank the Lord for what you do have. Then make a plan.

I cannot count how many times I said "I can't afford it," "I'm broke." What did I do with my money? I spent it, most of the time on things that I didn't need. Now there really were times that I truly didn't have money.  Like when I was putting myself through college and I worked for a company making $85.00 a week. My rent was $55.00 a week. I would literally only have $30.00 to my name for a whole week to get gas, food, etc.

After a while I got tired of being so poor, not making it. I got another part-time job. I still spent all the money I made so I didn't learn the whole lesson, but I was able to make it.

Now I know that I can't wait for something to happen.  I have to make it happen. One of my favorite sayings is "Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes." Take that first step, it can be a small one, just take it!

6. Do you really need it? Ask yourself this question the next you have money that you think you have to spend. Here are other questions to ask yourself too...Where are you going to put it? Or when will you use it? Will it just stay in a bag? Will it just sit in a room that is already full of stuff you really wanted? Do you already have one?

I know someone that buys just to buy. If it’s her favorite color she buys it. It doesn't matter what it is, or if she'll ever use it. She has so much stuff that she's been known to buy an item because she can't "get to" the other item that is still brand new in the box in a room so full you even walk into it anymore. She always says she doesn't have money.

When ever I think oh, that is so cute. I would really like to have that. I ask myself if I really need it. Where am I going to put it, will I really use it.  I can now walk away from an item. Yes it is cute, but that is not a reason to own it. I am finding that “less is more.” I know it’s an old saying but I find it to be very true. 7. My point is…Make a choice not to be “poor” anymore. Break out of the cycle. My dad used to tell us kids, “I am down to my last nickel.” I found myself saying the same thing, most of the time it was true literally. I felt I needed to spend everything I had. Then when I truly needed something I couldn’t pay for it. Whether it be an expected expense or missing work because of a sick child and then not being able to buy groceries for the next week.   Don’t do it to yourself. Make a plan. Save for a rainy day. Try to stick to it best you can. Get out of that “poor” mentality. Treat yourself with some respect, you deserve it.

written by Tammy J. Bray

Sat, December 12, 2009 | link Comments

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