30-Day Challenge

Yesterday I met with 7 other fascinating and interesting women as we decided to start a 30-day challenge journey together.  You're all probably thinking that it is weight or health related but in reality it's a challenge about whatever theme you decide to make of it for the month.  To get the ball rolling my friend who came up with the idea, shared a list of 25+ ideas, here are a few:

• being a traveller in one's own city
• blog writing
• taking up improv acting
• learning how to paddle board
• practising the art of positivity
• learning how to sew

The whole idea behind the 30-day challenge is to find a theme and to give it a try for the month.  We all have a list of bucket list to-dos but lots of times unless we are living a full life of intention we don't necessarily cross them off and before you know it 10 years have passed and you've accomplished a little or none of it.  The other potential positive outcome, is perhaps you give it a try and you decide it's not for you then you are free to clear your mind for something else.  

I loved the idea so I decided to meet up with the group and see if I can draw some inspiration from it.  Lately, I have been struggling to figure out what I am most passionate about.  Even after the end of the session and nearly 24 hours later, I still can't figure out what I should focus on for the month.  The idea behind the challenge doesn't necessarily have to be goal oriented but I think that's the type-A personality in me - I keep thinking that it should relate somehow to some sort of self-improvement.  Others though have decided perhaps to explore new museums or new restaurants.  I on the other hand am undecided and perhaps that's a reflection of where I've been the last few weeks.  

I haven't had the inspiration to post my bright cheery quotes on "the blissful life" Facebook page, nor have I written a post on the blog in a number of weeks.  I'm hoping that a de-cluttering and getting back to regular exercise may help in this regards so I'm thinking perhaps of choosing that as my challenge.  So today on the first day of the challenge I did both - this morning started at the gym with a quick but awesome workout to get the blood flowing and the mind clear and in the evening I realized my precious book shelves were a disaster so I re-organized.  I now have a bag full of books that I'm going to sell to a used book store plus I have a much nicer looking book shelf to look at and not feel stressed about.

What do you do when you feel like your in a slump and need a bit of incentive to turn things around and find some passion and inspiration?

2014 is my year for a Money Makeover - what about you?

A few weeks ago, I decided to head to the library to borrow a book.  It had been so long since I had been to the library that they had discontinued my account and I had to sign up for a new one.  It was a small step in the right direction of being more financially responsible this year.  Staring at my book shelf of half unread books, I decided that I could do the same for free by borrowing books from the local library.  Of course, the goal is always to read them.  

As I was browsing around the different areas of the library, I found myself in the Finance/Business section and came across a book by the title of "The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness" by Dave Ramsey.  I must admit, I had never heard of the man before.  The cover of the book caught my eye as it was listed as being on the "New York Times Bestseller" list and his radio show had 3 million followers.  However what really caught my attention was "Hundred of thousands of ordinary people have become debt-free - here's how you can to".  I picked it up.

I have to admit, I have numerous financial books - Suze Orman, Gail Vax-Oxlade and David Bach, these are a few of the unread books that sit on my shelf.  I always have good intentions but never ever seem to get through them. Perhaps this is why it's taken me this long to get serious about being financially responsible and becoming debt free sooner rather than later.  

Since the downturn in the economy in 2008, North Americans have been struggling to get ahead.  I think people have also begun to believe that being in debt is a part of life.  Having car payments, house payments, credit card payments have become the norm.  After reading the book I realize this isn't the norm and shouldn't be the case.  Dave's motto is:  If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.  I'm taking that to heart and getting serious about my financial future this year.

It took me the weekend to read it cover to cover.  What helped were the inspirational stories weaved throughout the book of every day families.  I've shared it with a number of friends in person and they all wanted to learn more, so I thought it would be great over the next few posts to share the baby steps I learned and some of my insights.    

First and foremost, if you've never had a budget it's time to get on one.  For a few months time, track every single dollar and penny you spend on a spread sheet.  You'll be shocked at how quickly those coffees or weekly lotto tickets add up.  Also if you've never sat down and looked at how much your household brings in, maybe now is the time.  Another shocker is that most people have no idea how much money is coming into the house, so how are they supposed to keep track of what goes out of the house.  Only then can you create a budget and have hopes of sticking to it.

Now onto the baby steps that will help you get to financial freedom. 

Baby Step #1:  Save $1000 Fast

A study that was done in the US by the National Foundation for Credit Counselling found that 64% of the population did not have $1000 cash saved up for an emergency.  Most would have to turn to friends & family; credit cards or loans; selling or pawning possessions or missing payments on other bills to find the money.  When you think about it, most emergencies are likely going to be more than a $1000 - losing your job, getting pregnant unexpectedly or your car dying on you.  But having this rainy day fund will at least help with the smaller unexpected emergencies that may come up.  Of course this doesn't include a new pair of shoes or an expensive night out on the town!  This $1000 also puts it out to the universe that your ready to take your plan of financial freedom seriously.  So whether it's working a few extra hours over-time or finding a part-time job to get that $1000 in an emergency fund get it done ASAP.  Check out this link to see what helped me get my $1000 fund kick-started, but rather than a $1/week, I decided to save $10/week.  

Baby Step #2:  The Debt Snowball

Lots of people have opinions on this one, but I love Dave Ramsey's plan.  List your debts in order with the smallest payoff or balance first, irregardless of the interest.  The reason being is that paying off your lowest debt is sure to give you a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to move onto the next debt.  Do what you need to do in order to get the first bit of extra money onto the debt and get it paid down.  Once that first debt is paid, whether it was $25, $50 or $100 you were paying onto it, take that money and apply it to the next and so on and so forth.  Make sure to keep your tally sheet in a visible area so that each time a debt is paid down you can put a big fat X on it.  Of course cut up the credit cards and cancel it so you don't end up with the same problem again in the future.  You will love the feeling of shredding your credit card up!  It may also spur additional cost-saving habits.  Once I cut up my credit cards I was on a roll, I looked at my house-hold expenses and decided to get rid of unnecessary bills such as the house phone, magazine subscriptions etc.  We're even contemplating getting rid of the cable but haven't yet gotten there.  

Baby Step #3:  Finish the Emergency Fund

I'm sure you've heard it before, but in reality, how many of us actually have an emergency fund.  If $64% of the population don't have a $1000 fund, even less will have a 3-6 month emergency fund.  The funds that are needed if one were to fall ill, lose a job or unexpectedly get pregnant.  If your wondering how to save up for this emergency fund, you'll be surprised to see how quickly you can accumulate savings once you don't have payments going towards debt.  If you have a relatively stable job, such as in the government or in education aim for 3-months of expenses.  If you have a commission-based career, it's probably smarter to have a 6-month emergency fund.  Make sure to put it into an account that you can quickly access without any penalties for taking out your money.  In Canada the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a great place to do this, because it can do double duty - save money for the emergency fund, but also start your investments for perhaps long term financial planning. 

We're currently at baby step #2, but I'm more than excited about the future as I realize that once you have complete financial freedom you really are free to live how you want.  My husband and I are passionate about travelling so I'm dreaming of a time when I can explore the world and discover new cultures without having to put it on the credit card!  

I'll leave you with one tidbit that will help put it into perspective.  Most people carry a car payment their entire lives, paying about $378/month.  If you were to invest the same amount from age 25 to retirement (65) on average it would amount to more than $4 million.  Which would you prefer?  

10 Tips to Happiness

I read that today was the most depressing day of the year today, it's hard to prove or disprove however I can see why getting up on this particular Monday morning could be a little hard.  For a lot of people it's the first day back in the office - back to the routine & grind after weeks of visiting with family and friends, Christmas parties and not having a schedule to keep to.  It sparked an idea for today's blog...10 tips to stay happy, after all we're only 6 days into the New Year and it's far to early to feel doom and gloom!

1) Make being happy a choice - Medical depression aside, we all have the ability to make being happy a choice.  We can choose to look at the negative, or we can choose to look at the positive but it really is up to us to be in control of our emotions.

2)  Connect with friends & family - With so many ways to connect, we really have no excuses, whether it's FaceTime, Skype, text or an old-fashioned phone call there are plenty of ways to stay connected.  There is nothing like a FaceTime date with my niece and nephew that puts a bigger smile on my face.  I'm an avid Facebook user, but I don't consider messaging someone on their page as reaching out, why not use it to set up a face-to-face coffee instead.

3) Pay it forward - An act of generosity whether big or small will bring positive feelings for  the giver as well as the receiver.  The next time your in line for a coffee, buy the coffee for the person behind you, they'll appreciate the surprise and pass on the good vibes.  Or offer to take a group photo for a family of tourists - they'll look at their photos when they get home and it could be the one photo where dad isn't missing!

4) Eat well - Good food does a body good.  We all know that eating processed, fried foods can make us feel blah after the fact so instead fill your body with fresh fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, good fats and healthy grains.  

5) Exercise - Going for a brisk walk, a run through the park or any type of activity that gets your heart rate going will help release endorphins.  It's these endorphins that help stimulate the brain and cause one to have feelings of elation & contentment.  Even better call up a friend and head to the gym together, you'll kill two birds with one stone.

6) Read more - The average person watches almost 35 hours of tv/week, that's almost as much time spent at the office.  Can you imagine how your life would change if you used even half of that time to read & learn something new - perhaps learn a new language, teach yourself how to invest money or start a blog.  Malcolm Gladwell, author of the book, Outliers: The Story of Success, repeatedly discusses the "10,000-hour rule", this rule states that anyone can become successful in a field if they practice a specific task with 20 hours of work per week over 10 years. 

7) Practice gratitude - Counting your blessings has many benefits, the first of which boosts your mood; it strengthens relationships; it enables people to bounce back from setbacks; it's a depression fighter; and it elevates your social status as people see you as more generous and empathetic.  Start keeping track of your blessing through the 365 Grateful Project and it'll help you find at least one good thing in your day every day!

8) Smile - Share a smile with a stranger or two, you'll not only brighten up their day but it'll help to brighten yours as well.  In a city like Vancouver many people feel isolated, so when you pass a stranger on the street instead of putting your head down and pretending you don't see them, look them in the eye and give them a smile.  They are sure to pass it on to the next person.

9) Get close to nature - I understand that it's easier to get close to nature when we had a spectacular weekend like we did out here on the West Coast with sunshine and relatively warm weather, but even on the Prairies where I grew up playing in the snow or going cross-country skiing I remember it made me feel alive to be outdoors.  One of my happiest memories was going for a walk in the middle of winter with the bright white snow surrounding me, the sun glistening on the icicles hanging from the trees and enjoying the tranquility and quiet of the moment.

10) Sleep - There is nothing like a good night's rest to help make one feel better so make sure to get 7-8 hours per night.  Although it's two hard rules to adhere to most times...we really should turn off the electronics after 8 pm and they should be kept out of the bedroom, that includes laptops, cell-phones & iPads not just TVs. 

I hope the stats were wrong and you all had a Happy Day but if not, hope these tips help you to stay positive next time you feel blue.

xo,

Kimmy 

#365 Grateful

A good friend of mine, shared a fantastic link with me yesterday as she knew two important passions for me....taking photos whether on my iPhone or Nikon AND practicing the art of gratitude.  The #365 Grateful Project was created by Hailey Bartholomew to help combat her depression and it's a project I am happily going to take on for 2014.  

I feel like I've always been a grateful person, but it's when I was in the network marketing industry that I was taught the skills of really practicing the art of being grateful.  I keep a gratitude journal, however don't write in it as frequently as I probably should.  I am hoping that if I practice this project with intention, one year from now I can look back at 365 days of amazing experiences and memories.  There are some schools of thought that say you should write in your gratitude journal every day, while others say once a week as some tend to find this as a chore but I guess in the end it doesn't matter as long as we take some time to breathe in and count our blessings. This is the exact reason why I'm excited to take on this project - it will force me to take a few minutes every day (even if I'm feeling sad or grumpy - let's face it we all get that way sometimes) to find something, anything no matter how big or small to be grateful for.     

I can definitely understand that when things are falling apart - your relationship is strained, your lose your job, or perhaps you've come down with an illness it's difficult to feel grateful, but that's exactly the right time to start practicing gratitude.  It's these feelings of positivity that will add up that can help you begin to feel better emotionally, physically and spiritually and thus bring about healing.

To follow my project, feel free to check it out on my Facebook page under the Photo Albums.  

xo,
Kimmy

  

Simple tips to start the year right!

As one year closes and another year opens, many people reflect on goals achieved or not achieved.  I know I am and upon reviewing some of my goals, perhaps they should have been re-visited half-way through the year when I knew that realistically they were not going to be achieved.  I feel both defeated that I didn’t achieve the goals, however hopeful that tomorrow is a new day and that it will be a fresh start.  

I know that setting goals can be scary, stressful and even overwhelming because one doesn’t know where to start so I thought I’d put together some suggestions to help get started.  

Most people’s resolutions, goals typically fall under these 7 categories:

• Career
• Finances
• Family & Friends
• Health & Wellness
• Spiritual
• Community
• Fun & Recreation

Some may be more important to others and perhaps some may not even enter into your goals, everyone is different.

If your looking for some guidance and want to ensure you’ve created some positive steps for living your most blissful life ever, here’s a few suggestions to help you feeling accomplished 365 days from now.  Most people’s goals tend to revolve around the first four, so I’ve decided to tackle these ones specifically in this posting.

Career:  If your looking to either change your career or enhance yours skills, read 10-15 minutes everyday on that particular topic or if you don’t like reading, listen to audio books to and from work.  Knowledge is power and when broken down in small chunks, you’ll realize how manageable it is to find 10 minutes to read and all of a sudden you’ll have read through an entire book in no time.

Finances:  Paying off debt or saving money is always at the top of people’s lists and somehow at the end of the day, for 95% of the population there is never enough.  You should always pay off high-interest cards first before saving money, however it’s good to put it out to the Universe that you want to save. So start with a $1 a week.  Don’t start next week or next month, but this Friday open up a bank account and transfer a $1, next week put in $2, the week after $3 etc, at the end of 52 weeks you will have saved $1,378!  I guarantee it will leave you feeling accomplished.

Family & Friends:  In this digital world, particularly Facebook, posting a Happy Birthday greeting on someone’s page seems to be the norm.  However, to make someone feel extra special, what about a handwritten card; a phone call or a Facetime date – it’s that added touch that strengthens the relationship because let’s face it anyone can write “HBD” on Facebook – does that really tell your loved one your thinking of them?

Health & Wellness:  This is typically at the top of everyone’s goal and you see it all the time at the gym - the first week in January the gym is packed, by mid-month or the third week in it’s back to the norm because people have already forgotten about their goal!  Start slow - make a date with a friend to keep you accountable and go for a 10-15 minute walk, 3 or 4 times a week or if you can’t make a date in person call up a friend to keep you company.  Every week add another 5-10 minutes.  Before you know it, you’ll realize how much you love the feeling of breathing in fresh air and moving your body!  Of course don’t forget to stretch when you get home.

Every day is a new day and a new opportunity, so let go of the past and start realizing that you are truly capable of anything you set your mind to.  Surround yourself with your cheerleaders and a positive support system and you’ll be amazed at what you’ve accomplished a year from now.

Have a happy, healthy and prosperous start to the year!
xoxo,
Kimmy

Reflection

With only two days left in 2013, I'm definitely looking forward and not backward as this year was filled with many changes.  Mostly career wise.  I've heard it said before that 2013 was not a banner year for business and I can definitely agree that was the case for myself in Q1.  I found myself needing to go back to the corporate world, after having worked for myself in the network marketing industry over the last few years.  I'll be sure to share some of my experiences about the industry in the future.  I'm definitely grateful and happy for the experience.  

Thankfully, when one door closed another one opened and I found myself in the signage industry in outside sales.  There is comfort in having a 9-5 job, especially one that allows you to grow as a person and learn new skills and I realize that I love the routine of going into an office and having a purpose every day.  However the entrepreneur inside of me still remains.  Thus the reason for this blog, I have learned how important it is to have multiple streams of income and lets face it, if most of us eliminated TV, there is a whole lot of extra time for other endeavours and passions.  

I've decided that 2014 is the year that I achieve the financial goals I've had year after year.  The first is to get out of credit card debt.  I happened to find my goals from 2007 and on the top of the list...pay off credit cards.  Well, I'm not ashamed to say it because I know a LOT of people are in the same boat, but I pay off a credit card and then it gets racked up again.  6 years later, I still have that same goal.  It's sad when you think about but it's time to take control and start living within my means instead of outside of my means.  After all I'm not getting any younger and I have a whole lot of dreams to fulfill.  

What I'm hoping will get me there is the budget that hubby and I put together and of course the key is to bring in the extra streams of income.  I've never put myself on a budget, but I decided to give it a try with the Christmas presents this year.  I have to say, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment when I found thoughtful gifts but still remained within the budget.  

As for extra streams of income, I'm fortunate in my day job as I'll have an opportunity to make commissions so I'm making a plan and making sure I achieve them for the upcoming year.  I've also decided to teach myself about investing and the stock market.  My husband had investments for a number of years but unfortunately 2008 and a number of other factors took that all away.  I realized that it's not just a man's "job" to look after the family's financial investments so it's time to teach myself.  

I'll be curlin up with Robert G. Hagstroms's book - The Warren Buffet Way (Third Edition) and a cup of tea for the rest of this rainy afternoon.

xoxo,
Kimmy