tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:34:31 +0000Balancing Your BudgetBudgeting BasicsMarriageIncomeInvestmentYour Actual BudgetCash/Envelope SystemOutlineDebit CardsHourly WagesFreebiesDiscretionary SpendingExpensesSetting up Your BudgetSpending HabitsSelf-employmentWealthHow to Set Up Your BudgetGrocery BudgetEncouragementsWeekly IncomeMatters of Your HeartFree MoneyUpdatesHome OwnershipFree DayLife on a BudgetBeginning Your BudgetCredit CardsChristmasSalaryThe Joy of GivingCommission Based IncomeDown SizingFinance BinderVacationDealing with FearPaying Your BillsGratitudeDebt ManagementSavingsLife After Credit CardsNew Years ResolutionsDigging OutBirthdaysSetting up Your Savings AccountSurviving Self-EmploymentChoicesDreamshttp://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)Blogger223125blogspot/budgetingforabetterlifehttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-4588559696847902280Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:52:00 +00002010-09-17T14:20:53.941-05:00EncouragementsLast winter was one of the most brutal that I have ever experienced in Oklahoma. The first frost came early in November and spring only made it's appearance in May. We had ice storms, snow storms, and lots and lots of cold rainy days. It was a very long, very hard winter, and it also happened to be one of the hardest times in my life. I went through an 8 month period of health problems where I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/CwQm1l7hWS8/his-hidden-heart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/CwQm1l7hWS8" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/his-hidden-heart.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-8144445463169369285Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:24:00 +00002010-09-14T15:50:20.103-05:00For some reason I decided to check my blog today. I don't know why because if I haven't been here, then no one else has either. However, just reading the title of my last blog made me laugh so hard that I just felt inspired to write. Actually, I feel inspired to write often lately, I just don't. So anyway, "Out of hybernation" seems like such a funny joke when I then proceeded to not blog http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/x8t8xjBSHOA/and-back-in-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/x8t8xjBSHOA" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/and-back-in-again.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-6665782064704639603Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:31:00 +00002010-04-23T22:22:13.592-05:00EncouragementsSpring is in the air. My flowers are beginning to bloom. My whole world has turned green overnight, and I have finally decided to come out of hibernation.We had so much ice and snow this past winter, it seemed like everything died and it was hard to even imagine that it used to be green. There were days when I would drive down the street and everywhere I looked was this interminable color of greyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/bmPbFht9BrU/out-of-hybernation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/bmPbFht9BrU" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2010/04/out-of-hybernation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-4750414327169729643Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:12:00 +00002010-01-18T21:37:15.184-06:00Surviving Self-EmploymentHave you ever driven through a tunnel under a river? One of those long, long tunnels where all you hear is the seams in the road, and the fluorescent lights make the world turn a sick yellow color? At a certain point in the tunnel, the light from where you started from disappears, and if it is a particularly wide river, you may not yet be able to see where you are going. This is a great moment tohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/Md46r1i7TPo/long-tunnel-part-one.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)5<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/Md46r1i7TPo" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2010/01/long-tunnel-part-one.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-2226230301323494458Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:07:00 +00002009-08-26T23:23:04.200-05:00Spending HabitsHave you ever wanted anything so badly that you were willing to “throw all your toys out of the cot” to get it? You may not be familiar with that expression, but my Mom has used it for as long as I can remember to say, “a big fit to get your way.” Now when it comes to your money and that thing that you want is something that you want to buy, it may not take that many toys to get it. But the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/VI3tRpehLA0/toys-in-cot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/VI3tRpehLA0" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/08/toys-in-cot.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-3655661501754019904Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:55:00 +00002009-08-19T23:21:34.328-05:00EncouragementsFrom the vicious heat of summer and the constant motion of my children, I suddenly feel a change coming. The rains have come this week. My precious Noah is back at school and life is beginning to find the rythm of routine once again. There is something about the Oklahoma heat that causes everything to dry up and stop and seek desperate shelter in the relief of a friend's pool. That is where my http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/YsU_L2xCkG8/something-stirring.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/YsU_L2xCkG8" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/08/something-stirring.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-7406883117218361142Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:33:00 +00002009-07-19T21:34:09.756-05:00EncouragementsI have to admit, when it comes to believing God for His provision, that provision has often had an exact number in my head. Maybe it's because I think in numbers, or because of my belief that it is important to be specific with your prayers. To me it is a different prayer when you pray, "Lord thank you that you are taking care of me" versus "Lord thank you that I am safe as I drive to work today.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/yoLY47GaOV8/number-of-faith.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/yoLY47GaOV8" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/07/number-of-faith.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-2955133563692596664Wed, 13 May 2009 03:01:00 +00002009-05-12T23:35:51.108-05:00Discretionary SpendingChoicesEncouragementsI am white... not as an ethnicity (although technically that is true too)... but rather as a very pale, ghostly winterish shade of hiding under sweaters for the last 6 months white. I was especially white sitting next to my darling mother today who has just returned from a glorious beach vacation. "Wow, look how tan I am," she rejoiced as she held her beautifully golden arm next to my, what all http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/ZrbSCejnyrg/oompa-loompa-wisdom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/ZrbSCejnyrg" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/05/oompa-loompa-wisdom.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-8332257566307818149Tue, 05 May 2009 13:59:00 +00002009-05-05T21:33:55.425-05:00ChoicesLife on a BudgetSetting up Your BudgetIs there such a thing as having a budget with too many categories? It sounds funny because many of us DO have extra categories that we would love to be able to fit into our budget. But what if you are able to fit them? I know that in the past that I have often mentioned to be specific and realistic with your list of expenses. If you are spending money on something, it is important that it is http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/GhsTuR-lGpY/spreading-your-budget-too-thin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/GhsTuR-lGpY" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/05/spreading-your-budget-too-thin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-8874890729395222293Sat, 02 May 2009 16:04:00 +00002009-05-02T16:03:34.473-05:00Life on a BudgetEncouragementsThis past Tuesday, I had a divine appointment. It just so happened it was with my hair dresser. My hair dresser is a wonderful girl named Claire. One of the things I love about Claire (besides her wonderful skills with hair) is that Claire lives outside of the box. I have the feeling she always has. When I first met her she had pink hair, and this wonderfully spunky attitude. But underneath her http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/P8hKCeMzpjc/outside-of-my-box.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/P8hKCeMzpjc" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/05/outside-of-my-box.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-9059427412136781306Sat, 02 May 2009 01:53:00 +00002009-05-01T21:31:23.797-05:00EncouragementsHow ironic that I celebrated my 1 year anniversary of this blog by not blogging for two weeks? I can hardly believe that it has been a whole year. Honestly, I have really missed writing lately. There seems to be so many other things fighting for my time and my attention... cute, cuddly, hungry, sticky things during the day. At night, it's just finding the balance between time with my sweet http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/PQ0ST6qiq14/lesson-in-trust.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/PQ0ST6qiq14" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/05/lesson-in-trust.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-5852336022990095118Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:40:00 +00002009-04-16T23:46:33.049-05:00MarriageLife on a BudgetHave you ever wondered why it is traditional to give engaged couples so many presents? Why do they need 12 of those very expensive goblets? Is registering for a drill or a waffle maker really necessary? I can remember registering for my wedding and feeling so horribly guilty when selecting my china set. In the end, I opted for an every day set of dishes instead. I didn't want my friends and my http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/JON6MntJhzU/early-years-from-wedding-to-waffles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/JON6MntJhzU" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/04/early-years-from-wedding-to-waffles.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-7329468909706797998Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:31:00 +00002009-03-28T23:19:36.898-05:00EncouragementsI had an experience with a vacuum cleaner yesterday that started me thinking. My two year old son, Luke, is a fearless, rascally boy who loves dismantling the vacuum, but for some reason it scared him yesterday. As I was vacuuming under his kitchen chair which was littered with dropped veggies and crumbs, he kept yelling and running away. I was watching him in sort of amazement because first of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/IpX0d-k1JF4/behind-vacuum.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/IpX0d-k1JF4" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/behind-vacuum.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-851125745039096280Sat, 21 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-21T05:00:00.193-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetThis blog is actually a wonderful illustration of how to use your budget, but it also is a great example of the blog that I never wrote on "Diggin Out" when you have gotten behind. I was so happy to find it and I hope it will be a helpful illustration to everyone of how to manage your finances with the help of a budget. Have a blessed day today, even if it isn't payday :)Payday! Yea! For my http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/wOj-iiR4Q1c/budgeting-review-practicing-your-payday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/wOj-iiR4Q1c" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-practicing-your-payday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-3609888417246540800Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-20T05:00:01.499-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetIf you have come this far and have determined your budgetable income, and all of your monthly bills and expenses, then it is time to balance your budget. This blog will walk you through that process, as well as give you some great encouragement along the way.God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. As we face your budget today and try to determine how to bringhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/4bLoCthzQGY/budgeting-review-balancing-your-budget.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/4bLoCthzQGY" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-balancing-your-budget.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-2278951239527173811Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-19T05:00:01.042-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetThe next few blogs are on how to use your budget. The very first step which I cover today is to print it and carry it in your wallet. The following story will humorously illuminate some reasons why:Last year I had the opportunity to speak at a ladies retreat in New York with my Mom. It was such a fun thing to get to do together and we had a lovely time. We flew into Newark airport and were pickedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/T_G-LLbqS3c/budgeting-review-directions-for-journey.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/T_G-LLbqS3c" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-directions-for-journey.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-8696980818421226236Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +00002009-03-18T06:00:00.363-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetYou have determined your budgetable income, and made a list of your bills, expenses and even discretionary categories, so today is the big day. This blog is going to help you to plug all of that information into a spreadsheet that will change your financial life. It is so simple to use and understand, and yet it is the key to budgeting success.One of the most difficult things about juggling http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/s_nfWW5sZWc/budgeting-review-plan-to-stop-juggling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/s_nfWW5sZWc" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-plan-to-stop-juggling.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-6418779515906167658Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-17T05:00:00.510-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetDiscretionary money, or money that you spend at your discretion, is very often the downfall of budgets and kings. It is the money that you spend at a whim on clothing, or groceries, or a latte, on eating out or gifts for people, that many times will kill your budget. So, how do you manage that money in a way that it won't destroy what you are trying to establish in your budget? I am so glad you http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/EdKYS4ae0JA/budgeting-review-expenses-cash-creditor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/EdKYS4ae0JA" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-expenses-cash-creditor.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-2380484411662266583Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-16T05:00:01.634-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetIn the last few days we have reviewed how to determine your budgetable income to be able to plug it into your budget. As you have seen, there are so many different scenarios for this, but I hope that you were able to find your situation in my scenarios and develope a plan that will work for your income. Today we are looking at how to determine your expenses. In your budget, you are going to list http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/ukprZorxYHo/budgeting-review-expenses-finding-holes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/ukprZorxYHo" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-expenses-finding-holes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-5116370677739362800Sun, 15 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-15T05:00:00.462-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetThis blog is a little long, and I apologize for that but I combined two of my previous blogs, so as not to split up the topic. If you are paid by commission, this blog will also be very helpful to you. This is the last blog under the section of our outline for a.Determining your budgetable monthly income. Self-employment can be a liberating, extremely rewarding way to earn your income. Many http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/_1VJjZWpr1E/budgeting-review-self-employed-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/_1VJjZWpr1E" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-self-employed-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-9014400227466767442Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-14T05:00:00.723-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetA friend of mine emailed me this question concerning her budget that I wanted to share with you today. It goes back to the section I did on income, but I am sure that many have you have very unique pay cycles and I thought this might help you in your effort to set up a budget. This really gives a great example of how you can adjust a budget to fit your particular needs. A budget is not meant http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/w2riV0qAxbE/budgeting-review-salary-and-commission.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/w2riV0qAxbE" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-salary-and-commission.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-6285185682253165643Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-13T05:00:00.739-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetSome of my dearest friends in the world are both realtors. And although they are wonderful at what they do, the realty business is a %100 commission business and is consequently very competitive and difficult to make a living in. However, it has very flexible hours, and can be extremely rewarding business.So how do you budget when you might have a $7,000.00 month one month and an $1200.00 month http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/S8rugzAQZzQ/budgeting-review-life-on-commission.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/S8rugzAQZzQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-life-on-commission.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-4752627719814673036Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-12T05:00:00.749-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetThis blog is so revolutionary if you are paid every two weeks, that I know you will want to read it again. I have laid out the new dates for 2009 for your "extra check" which I know will be helpful. If you have never read this information, I guarantee you that this plan for regulating your paycheck in order to pay your bills on time is going to change your life!Being paid every other week is a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/43vBAhN0tRE/budgeting-review-every-other-friday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/43vBAhN0tRE" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-every-other-friday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-8044824781546583323Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-11T05:00:01.444-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetEven if you have read this blog before I encourage you to read it again if you are paid by the hour. I have updated the dates for your "extra paycheck" for the year and it will be a great reminder of your pay schedule. This blog fits under II. a. ~Hourly wages of our outline. And yes, I know how to correctly do a formal outline, however blogger will not cooperate and allow me to leave spaces. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/5DONWh2vLcE/budgeting-review-by-hour.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/5DONWh2vLcE" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-by-hour.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969477792427452652.post-7552112179533120616Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-03-10T05:00:00.201-05:00Budgeting BasicsHow to Set Up Your BudgetThe first step to setting up your budget is to determine your monthly budgetable income. In other words, the money after taxes that you have to pay your bills and to spend each month. The following blog was originally posted last year and covers the topic of determining your income from "Salary" - II. a. ~Albert Einstien once said, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~3/pdKHZ-t5Dus/budgeting-review-simplicity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tracy Jones ~)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/budgetingforabetterlife/~4/pdKHZ-t5Dus" height="1" width="1"/>http://budgetingforabetterlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/budgeting-review-simplicity.html