Spending plans are a money management tool designed to help you manage your purchases and control spending.

When you plan for the purchase, you know the amount of money you budgeted for the expense — which allows you much more control over your spending. You can set a cap on the amount you will spend. In this way, you’re much more likely to save money on your purchases because you can factor in sales items.

Grocery stores are recurring revenue systems. Stores make money week after week, often from the same consumers. A grocery spending plan — a list you take with you to the store — is your best weapon against a system designed to encourage you to spend more than you actually want to. A grocery list helps you curb impulse spending.

A money-savings tip: Do not sample food during your shopping. And if you sample, remember that you do not have to buy that caloric-loaded, lip-smacking, hips- and butt-swelling treat. It’s a marketing tactic! Don’t fall for it.

Another money- and health-saving tip: Make the majority of your purchases from the store’s perimeter. Stay on the edge where the fruits, vegetables, and nutritious stuff lives. The high-fat, high-sugar, lower nutritional value products are located in the middle of the store.

Make a grocery list before you go shopping. You will spend less and have what you need to prepare delicious and healthy meals for the week. Each week is different; make a new list before every trip.

If you want to go for frugality — and why not — look for coupons and sale items. Advertisers spend billions annually to get you into stores to buy sale items and all the other goodies at full price. It’s a money-wise person who takes the time to check out the newspaper before her weekly shopping excursion. Buy only what is on your list. You’ll save money, eat better and healthier, and lose a few pounds too. It’s a win-win way of managing your life, money and health.

Monitor your spending regularly. After the first month, review your progress. Have your food expenditures decreased from the months before you started relying on a grocery list? Are you eating more of the food purchased instead of tossing fruits and veggies out because you didn’t include them in your meal plans? What about your kids — are they wasting less and eating better?

What benefits have you experienced from preparing your grocery spending plans? Let me know.

Warmly,
Judith, The Money Lady

Comedians are often funny while imparting some damn truthful information. Comedians like Chris Rock. This brother is so smart and insightful that he makes himself angry as he thinks about the truths he shares with his audience. He sees finance clearly and explains it graphically. To love or hate him is your choice. But listen up and learn. The man knows money.

Chris is sometimes crude, annoying, and irritating. But, if you can get past the swear words, racial insults and mental body blows, Mr. Rock is fundamentally enlightening and illuminating.

Check him out … if you dare. He is not talking about being Rich. He’s talking about building wealth.

Warmly,

Judith, The Money Lady

I have an Acer mini computer. It’s fantastic. Light weight, sleek and beautiful. I haven’t named her, but I want to. She’s that cute.

I use the mini when I work outside of my office. Sometimes I work at my favorite coffee house because I want a change of scenery, or to be around other business owners and solopreneurs.

Occasionally, however, I need access to my main computer. I want a file that I don’t have on the flash drive I carry with me, or I need other info that resides on my main computer.

GoToMyPC.com has a 30-day free promotion. The promo code is MSNBC, but I don’t think you will need it. I’m going to see how it works. So many people are using multiple computers these days. You may want to check it out too. If you do, let me know how it worked for you.

QuickBooks

Grow your business with the FREE version of the world’s #1 small business financial software. Intuit Quickbooks Simple Start Free Edition 2009. Click and see if it meets your bookkeeping and accounting requirements.

Equifax

Equifax.com is offering free credit scores until May 31, 2009. Yes, you really do want to know what your credit score is. Get your score now while it’s free.

Talking about money is a specialized communication skill set we all need to practice for your financial health and well being. You want to be able to discuss money with your spouse, parents, family, friends, associates and children in a positive, appropriate and self-enhancing manner. It’s time to learn how to talk about money,

We have been programmed to fear money conversations — whether asking for the sale or negotiating a salary increase – generally we would rather not. Let’s get past the fear and anxiety that preparing to talk about money produces and move to acquiring the communication skills needed to have successful money talks.

Start to incorporate money language into your everyday conversation. Talking about money is a major mindset shift because expanding your views about money will change your whole life.

Talking about money is big. So big and so important that I’ve started a new VIP Facebook group about it. We talk about money in all its forms – investments, savings, debt, and whether we feel good or not-so-good about it.

The group is a safe environment to learn more about money, how to attract it, keep it and make it grow for you. Join us on our new YES to Financial Fitness Facebook Group. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Regards,

Judith
The Money Lady

Money, and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Wealth, Health, and Happiness, Esther and Jerry Hicks’ new book, will guide you in deciding who you are now and how to create what you want in your life.

… because such a high percentage of your thoughts in any given day reside around the topic of money or financial success, as soon as you are able to deliberately guide your thoughts, not only is it certain that your financial success must improve, but the evidence of that success will then prepare you for deliberate improvement in every aspect of your life experience.

Are you thinking it sounds good, but it’s not real for you? Have you lived in doubt or fear for so long that you are unsure how to live differently?

The Hicks’ have major news for you:

What is wrong is within you — and you do have control. And taking control is not difficult to do once you understand the basis of who-you-are and the basics of the Law of Attraction and the value of your Emotional Guidance System that you were born with, which is always active, ever present, and easy to understand.

You decrease fear, doubt and resistance by doing the inside work. You reduce doubt by learning to think in new ways that yield new thoughts and vibrations. You begin to tell yourself a new story with positive dialogue about what you want in your future. You no longer repeat the old stories that no longer apply to the you that you are now. You reduce your barriers to having more than enough money when you talk, think and visualize the new story of what you want in your life now and in the future.

Do you wonder if you can do it? I sometimes do. Every new income level or business goal I aspire to requires self-pep talks and reaffirming of my beliefs. I breathe deeply, recharge, and realize … Yes, I Can! You can too.

Change Your Story

Kick to the curb the old stories you’ve repeated for years. That old story that brought you only pain can now be retired. You can let it go. Give it no more power over you. As the Hicks suggest, change your story. Script a new story based on an abundant mindset.

Think about what you want. What do you see for yourself? A life of thriving, with more than enough? Ease and comfort? Let what you want become your focus. See it. How far can you take the vision? The more you practice adding pieces to your new story, the more likely you are to create a new chapter in the non-fiction story of your life.

You cannot talk consistently of the things you do want to experience in your life without the Universe delivering the essence of them to you.

What You See Is What You Get

What have you decided to see? What do you smell? Is the air fresher when you walk and meditate? I want a new car. Lately I’ve smelled new car leather. What a fabulous concept — to think and attract it. Amazingly, it works.

Get you off the couch and step into living your life. This is the inner work of smart money management. As you think in alignment with what you want, with abundance, with having more than just enough money, you attract it to you.

Physical fitness and emotional health. Financial fitness. They fit together. Say Yes to financial fitness!

Homework!

Read Money, and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Wealth, Health, and Happiness by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Begin with the Preface. You’ll be glad you did.

I’m looking forward to reading your comments as you get into this book. Share your thoughts here.

Judith

Mashable is a wonderfully informative blog. This Online-finance post is from its archives, yet remains cutting edge. The money tools are organized by Budget Organizers & Financial Planning; Invoice Management; Financial Trading & Investment; Social Networks; Salary Reports; Online Payment Systems.

Click, skim and save for future use.

How to Raise Your FICO Score

The Money Professor has a lot of information on credit scores. I’m hesitant to suggest articles or sites that don’t share publisher-author information like this is one. That said, I encourage you read this article on how to increase your FICO credit score.

If you follow the suggestions outlined, your credit score will increase, thereby reducing your cost of credit.

Investopedia

Much of finance and money is about terminology, learning to speak the language. I receive a Term of the Day email from Investopedia.com. It explains what words and terms mean, and how they are used. The definitions and explanations clear up any confusion.

Don’t let me anyone snow you with financial terms. Click on Investopedia.com and get the skinny on what’s what. This is a big, well-designed site. Bookmark it and visit often. It will speed your discovery of all things financial. I love it.

Quicken Online

QuickenOnline is free. I like free tools that help you manage your money. QuickenOnline has made improvements to the product including a revamped user interface, a forward-looking spending forecaster, cash tracking and more.

We’re using more cash to curb impulse spending. Quicken’s cash tracking feature is a useful feature. You can access this program from your cell phone. Cool.

WeSeed

WeSeed is a stock market simulation game. It’s where you can experience investing in the stock market without any risk. It’s a fun, safe way to gain experience with investing in stocks. You play with virtual stocks. Fake. Not real. It is a great way to learn what’s going on with the market. You can join the WeSeed community for free, and follow the top WeSeeders.

Here’s how WeSeed explains their site.

This is the stock market for the rest of us… a place where nurses and pilots and gym teachers can practice investing fake stock and get smarter about the stock market in a fresh, fun and completely safe way.

WeSeed is the safest. Our stock is fake. Our money is fake… but all the information and everything you learn is very real. And even when you invest for real someday… remember… baby steps. You don’t have to put a lot of money in the market to benefit from the experience.

I love it. I joined. Hope you do too.

OK. That’s my tool list for today. I plan to do more of these lists regularly. If you have great money and finance links to share, please post it in the comments.

Regards,

Judith

Smart money management skills provide us with clarity. You know your monthly income and outgo. You know the amount of money you have in the forms of cash expected, account receivables (money others owe you), savings and investments. You know what you owe in terms of bills, debts and long-term obligations.

An accurate cash flow analysis tells you when to expect cash to flow in and out of your business. A spending plan helps you see and be clear about your spending intentions, thereby affording you more control over your money. When you have a spending plan you’re less likely to do impulse buying. These are the analytical components of managing your money. Find and use the right tools, and perform ongoing analysis to stay on top of your unique money situation. Make it a routine. By doing so you gain the discipline and confidence that comes from knowing exactly where you stand.

Tools to Use

Set up systems that work for you. Some tools to consider are Mint.com for maintaining bank accounts. Use Quicken or Quickbooks for your personal and/or business accounting. Consistently use and maintain the tools you decide are best for your needs. It’s about paying your bills before the due date; regularly balancing your bank accounts; auditing your bills monthly; automatically adding to your personal savings, and paying down or paying off your credit cards.

Money management is taking the reins of your financial life by pulling up your big-girl/guy pants and taking command. It’s about establishing your own no-BS financial reality. It’s knowing that the truth is way better than living in the cobweb of illusion and lies created by not knowing your own bottom line.

Word

Money is a language you must learn to speak well. Get fluent. Read personal finance blogs. Contribute to the collective dialog. We have been silent about money too long. Look at how that has allowed our country to be defrauded of billions of dollars because we didn’t ask questions; thought money was too difficult to understand; or believed that the money makers “cared” about you and would do the right thing. Wrong.

It’s time to clear out money fog. Let’s breathe in fresh air and rid our heads of cobwebs. Get into the flow of money. Raise your awareness by reading more money articles, personal finance books, this and other money-related blogs.

Homework!

Experience online banking. Open an online savings account. I like ING Direct, but there are others that might appeal to you more. Share with us your online banking experiences.

Read Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan. This book is about Keeping Your Money Safe & Sound.

As always, your comments are welcome. Become part of this community by sharing your opinions here. Click on comments and tell me what you think. I use the Comment Luv plugin which means your URL is visible after you comment. My readers can then read and comment on your site too.

Happy March 2009!

Judith

I decided to clear out my baggage and increase the abundance in my life. I needed support to build a new financial fitness routine. I know about the Laws of Attraction, the importance of affirmations and declarations, and the benefits of positive thinking. I wanted an improved relationship with money. I needed personal development tools and exercises to clear my resistance and anchor my wealth building intentions. I sought to rewire my emotional circuitry, to take myself off automatic pilot and kick my energy up a notch or two.

No More Stinkin’ Thinking

My goal was to get past the money junk that had accumulated in my life. I didn’t want to analyze it. I wanted to clear it out, along with any stinkin’ thinking that had seeped into my consciousness to rob me of health, happiness and personal power. My goal was to attract more good in my life. More good people and great experiences.

I spent January 2009 letting go of emotions I no longer want. And adopting new financial attitudes and behaviors that would serve me well as I reach new levels of financial comfort. It was a highly spiritual quest, and I was aptly aided by superstars in the prosperity arena.

According to Joan Sotkin of Pro$perityPlace, “financial issues are always related to non-financial emotional issues …” Joan reminded me that prosperity comes through other people. I heard her and ended my self-imposed isolation. I’ve made new friends and associates, and reconnected with a few great old friends. I’ve entered into joint ventures with two awesome groups whose energy and expertise complement my own in amazing ways.

Tap Into EFT

I began tapping to clear my fears of the big steps I’m taking. Tapping? Yes. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) are tools to help remove emotional blocks that prevent you from achieving your goals. EFT is a needle-free form of acupuncture. By tapping on certain meridian points while concentrating on the emotional disturbance, energy begins to flow and relief results. EFT is easy to learn, and does not require special education or extensive training. It can be used effectively in almost every emotional, health and performance issue. Pioneered by Gary Craig, EFT’s benefits are huge. It works. Many people are tapping and talking glowingly about it.

Paul Zelizer, a new Twitter and Facebook friend, is a genius at bringing people together. Paul says “EFT is among the best clearing tools available today.” Get Paul’s free ebook, PZ’s Money Makeover2. It explains how to use EFT for financial well-being.

I’m refreshed and vibrating at a higher energy level. I’m ready to implement my new 2009 action plans. I’m feeling more hopeful and much less stressed. I tap frequently and journal my feelings.

What about you? Have you heard of EFT? Have you tried it yet? What were your experiences? Share your thoughts about it here. More tools and exercises coming soon.

Judith

You often aren’t even aware that you have a set point because it is a subconscious number of the amount of money you believe you deserve. A set point represents the level of prosperity or poverty you return to despite your best efforts.

Discover more about this fascinating topic, including how to move past self-imposed limits. Listen in on my Blog Talk Radio interview and raise your Financial Set Point.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you have a money set point? Listen to the show and tell me what you think. Thanks!

Regards,

Judith

Tip’d is a community for financial news, ideas and tips. It operates as a social media platform, meaning the community (you) decides which news stories and investing tips should be published on our homepage. Tip’d users vote on stories they like by clicking the ‘Tip it’ button that appears next to each story, and then can comment by pressing the ‘Discuss’ link below the story.

Tip’d is a repository of interesting posts and articles in 10 different categories. You may submit your own blog posts.

Tip’d is like Technorati and Digg in that you decide what finance or investing article is informative and should be Tip’d. It’s a great place to do research or quickly scan the latest financial articles. It’s a great resource.