In today's episode, Jim Munchbach will interview Jenn Swanson and Joel Mueller. Jim will also introduce Alex to the show. Please leave your comments and let us know you're listening - and tell Jim what you think about Alex. Should we keep him around?
Be sure to listen to Jenn Swanson share her strategy for an effective Financial Date Night. The first step is to put that date night on your calendar. You - along with the one you love - need to make a list of the 20 things you want. Once you each make your list, you will give each other a full five minutes to share why these things are important to YOU. Start at the bottom of the llst and work your way to #1 WHAT MATTERS MOST.
Once you've had your turn to share, its your turn to listen.
Jenn suggests listening "deeply" - with your heart and your ears. One of the most precious gifts we can give another human being is the gift of "being heard".
By the time your "Financial Date" is over, you will be ready to put a few items on your "Financial Calendar". It doesn't matter what type of calendar you like to use. Any calendar system will work. The more simple it is, the more powerful it will be for your future.
Remember, the main reason a Financial Calendar is better than any BUDGET is simple: Because you will use your calendar every day!!
The Financial Calendar is a very simple idea that can help you manage money with a sense of purpose and contentment.
It does not matter what type of calendar you are currently using. This simple concept will make a big difference in your life.
It doesn’t matter if you are The Millionaire Next Door or maybe you are BURIED IN DEBT. THE FINANCIAL CALENDAR CAN HELP YOU Make Your Money Count.
Here are ten reasons why a Financial Calendar is a better way to think about managing your money than a budget is.
If you find it hard to live on a budget, please consider these ten reasons why a Financial Calendar is better than a budget for you.
1. Financial calendar is forward-looking. The best way to use a budget is as a "Rear view mirror". In fact, the best - and most common - way to use a budget effectively is as a snapshot of what you did last year. Seeing how you spent your money last year can help you create a powerful financial calendar for 2013.
2. Your calendar can be very exciting! Budgets are almost always very very boring…
3. When it comes to your calendar, you use it. When it comes to budgets, most people avoid using it! If you will use a financial calendar, it will help you manage your money with more purpose and you will achieve better results. Guaranteed.
4. The budget feels like work but your calendar can feel more like play because your calendar includes things like lunch with a friend, a concert in Los Angeles, or a camping trip at the Grand Canyon.
5. A calendar is intuitive. A calender is not complicated. Whether you're using a simple bulletin board to keep track of the next soccer game with the kids, or you're using Outlook enterprise to manage a team of 100 superstars, the calendar is simple to use because its intuitive. The budget requires unique skills that are less intuitive for most people.
My calendar is kind of an open book that I share with lots of people including Facebook friends. Your calender is very easy to share.
I can share my schedule and events with my team, my family, a friend across the country, or a group of people - including my students at Bauer College of Business at University of Houston.
My personal budget is very very private. I would not want to share it with you because it is very private and personal.
7. A budget feels more like a rigid diet but my calendar makes me feel like I have an unlimited menu of delicious choices for how I will spend - my life.
8. My calendar gives me a snapshot of the big picture of my life. A budget is only a microscopic view of my money.
9. My calendar makes it very easy for me to measure the cost of my activities. For example, if I go to Starbucks every day and spend five dollars on coffee and a snack - and a small tip for the nice person who prepares my favorite drink, that will cost me $25 a week. In one year I will spend $1200. In ten years that daily appointment with Starbucks will cost me $12,000.
Once I put my daily appointment with Starbucks into my calendar as a recurring event (this is very easy to do with my Apple iPhone), it's easy for me to see how my behavior impacts me over the next 20 years.
So, everyday I get to ask and answer the question: is it worth it?
On the other hand, if I had to use a budget to measure the cost of Starbucks in my lifetime, I'm sure I would avoid it.
For most people, a budget feels like painful accountability. Because it is painful, I will not be able to measure the cost of my behavior. When I put Starbucks on my calendar at 10am everyday, it helps me think about how I spend my money everyday.
10. Finally, you only have one life. Your calendar represents your life. You can only be at one place at a time. Whether you're looking at a week from now or 10 years from now, you can only be in one place at a time. A budget is not very likely to help you and your money show up at the same place at the time you need your money to be there for you.
My goal is to teach you a new way to think about managing your money.
I hope you will start using your financial calendar today to make a difference for the rest of your life!
