It’s time to wrap up this week exploration of how to keep and stick with a budget.

This week, we’ve looked at using digital envelopes and how to do a quick tracking exercise. The icing on this budget cake is most definitely your Financial Committee Meeting.

What’s that?  A Financial Committee Meeting is the intentional time that you schedule to TCB. Take care of your personal business. I know you’ve worked hard all week. Don’ t forget about the Financial Committee Meeting.

A quick tracking exercise that works using GoodBudget.

60% of Americans say they want to budget but don't. Since budgeting is a learned skill, we're going to focus this week on developing the skill in a way that fits your lifestyle.

Jose was making plenty of money but had nothing to show for it. His family came together and learned to budget, live within their means, and pay off debt as a team.

I'm going to dive deeper into tech tools that have basic financial management features and are designed to help you build wealth. First up, Personal Capital.

I started with this first because:

1. It's free. All analysis tools are 100% free.

2. Signing up comes with a free financial consult.

3. It's free!

Financial independence will look different in every household. A basic definition includes having more passive income than you have bills. I'll walk you through my practical steps to achieve financial freedom in an effort to spur ideas for your own plan to FIRE up your goals.

After clearly articulating my financial goals, I must connect my faith to this project. I'm a believer, and faith and finances are clearly intertwined - in my mind. Faith without works is dead - so I have work to do. This is not as easy to share, because I can't see the future.

Well, you're welcome to come along for the ride. I have no idea what the Lord has in store. I just believe that in 3 years, we will be paying cash for a new construction home. In the meantime, there's a lot to do. Creating the financial plan for FIRE (financial independence/retiring early) is a concrete step that I can definitely get behind. 

I'll do what I can, and leave the rest to God. That's the beauty of faith.

If that FIRE isn't just shut up in your bones, but a financial freedom goal on your to-do list; this series is for you.

As I walk through my own plan for financial freedom, we'll explore what big picture items should be included. Step #1: Clearly identify what financial freedom means to you and what it will look like when you accomplish it.

I lay my plans out in plain English. Next, I want you to be able to clearly articulate yours.

Aja McClanahan became "Hood Rich" when she moved to a blighted neighborhood and paid off $120,000. That was 10 years ago. Now, she's embarking on the next phase of her plan to take over the world...or at least take control of her family's financial future.

I wouldn't have said this was intentional, but I am attracted to people who are doing interesting things around me. Whether you're an outgoing extrovert like myself or an introvert who needs to limit the interaction stimulation, these tips will work for tapping into a productive network of people who cross your paths.

Sometimes it's as simple as being the first one to say hello. Whether I'm meeting people at a swim class for my kids, reaching out to perfect strangers on FB, or going deeper with people that I see on a regular basis; there is a method to my madness. I share that simple method with you. 

If attitude impacts altitude, I want to surround myself with people who will have a positive impact on my attitude.