Working on Amazing

In order to succeed with money it's important to understand the basics. What is a money market account? Is that better than a CD? What is a HELOC? Should you have one? Understanding the basics is an important step to winning with money.

How we see ourselves is SO important - so many of our behaviors and life choices flow from how we identify ourselves. It is a foundational element of who we are. Yet far too often we allow others carless words and negative circumstances to shape our identity without even thinking about it. Let's take a look at how we see ourselves and how the beliefs we hold about ourselves affect our behavior. Let's talk about how to take control back - to write what we believe our identity is instead of allowing others to write it for us.   

Have you ever had something happen that seemed ordinary to everyone else but it set you off emotionally? Has a single incident ever flooded you with so many emotions it was hard to breath? Maybe it was a text, an email, a song on the radio - one minute you're fine the next you aren't. Suddenly you are swept away in powerful negative emotions. What do you do in moments like that? How do you stop the spiral? What if you are at work? How do you handle it when a tidal wave of unanticipated emotions flood you? When we are going through big life transitions it's not uncommon to get triggered. Let's talk about a few ways to handle it.

Saving money can be hard. And even beyond it being difficult, we aren't all the same - some people get a steady pay check while others who might work on commission get paid on a variable time frame. There just isn't a one size fits all approach to saving money. Today I talk about several different methods of saving money - lets talk about different ideas and strategies so you can find one that works for you.

How often through out the day do you reach for your phone? How many hours a day do you scroll? It's a real addiction that takes up more time than you might realize. Not only does this habit drain your time, it also has negative effects on your mental health. Today we talk about how to stop the scrolling addiction.

Gray Scale mode for the iPhone:

Go to Settings

Select Accessibility

Select Display and Text Size

Scroll to Color Filters - it's set to OFF - click it

Move the toggle on Color Filters 

Select Gray Scale

We often write lists of things we need to do. We check items off as they are completed. This is a very common and necessary practice. But what I'm asking is that you make a list of things that you've checked off. Things that you've accomplished, things that you are proud of, good things. I can't stress enough how important it is to remember the good things. It's so easy to remember bad things - something someone did, something someone said, mistakes we've made, horrible moments, icky bad and uncomfortable things. My challenge today is simply to remember the good things instead. To remind ourselves that good things do happen, that we have overcome in difficult things in our past and then allow those memories give us the strength as we face today's challenges

It happens to all of us eventually.  Time shows itself visibly on our face and body. While I don't want to be vain, I do want to look my best. Today I talk about 4 things I use to help reduce the signs of aging that are more natural, simple and don't cost a fortune. 

There are lies we believe - things we don't say out loud but hold in our heart as true. We may think we are unloved or that we aren't good enough. Sometimes these lies are buried deep under layers of emotional scars. Today we are going to examine a few of common lies and see how they hold up to the light of the Word of God.

Here is a list of the lies along with the scriptures that speak the truth:

1.    I am Unloved 

John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

Ephesians 2:4-5  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 

Ephesians 5:1  Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

2.    I am Not Good Enough

Hebrews 10:14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Colossians 2:13-15 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[e]

3.    I am a Failure

2 Corinthians 3:5-6  Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Philippians 4:13  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

4.    I am Defeated

Romas 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j] 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

5.    I Don’t Have What I Need

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

6.    I am Alone

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
     never will I forsake you.”[a]

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, 

We've all been in a funk before.  Where you just feel blah. How do you jolt yourself out of that feeling? What's something simple and easy that doesn't require a lot of energy? I've got 6 things you can try. Six simple easy to do tasks that just might help you get your spark back.

Finances can be daunting. I get it. Figuring out budgets and spending plans can be both time consuming and intimidating. So lets start small. Today I'm going to give you seven simple tasks. Each can be done in half an hour, some less. Do one a week. Start small. Do it on your lunch break. Make the time. Your financial health matters. So here we go - seven simple things you can do to help get your financial house in order.