What does your spending say about your values? Where do your dollars, euros, pounds or other currency go?

Make a list of where your money goes each month. Some common items can include:

• Mortgage or rent payment
• Food- groceries, snacks, restaurants
• Cars- loans, gas, maintenance
• Church, charities, organizations
• Medical & dental care
• Knick knacks, etc.

Now put an average dollars spent with each category. Which is your highest? Where can you cut costs if necessary? I hope it doesn’t show that your values are all about you. Invest in other both time and money. Someday you will need help from others. Ask yourself the question- If someone were to see my expenses without taking with me, would that reflect what I want them to think about me?

This can also reveal if you can manage your money (or moving deeper into debt). Do you have a plan to get out of debt? Here are a few things to looks at to reduce expenses, increase income and help with debt:

• Try to make a little more money at your job. Hourly wage earners ask to work a few more hours. Salary personnel should ask their supervisor how they can move up the ranks to earn more.
• Get a second job. Be careful with your time, don’t let this take away from your relationship and quality time with your family.
• What can you get rid of? Sell it on Ebay, Craigslist, at a yard sale. This generates a little income and can clear a little clutter in your house.
• How many cars do you need? Family of two adults and 2-3 kids; do you really need three cars? Sell the extra one to save on the monthly payment, insurance and maintenance.
• Wait for the movie to come out on video. Renting it ($4, someplaces $1) versus in the theatre with popcorn for two adults ($25-$30 plus babysitter).
• What about your favorite possession- TV. What channels do you normally watch? Can you get by with the basic package instead of the Digital Premium Pack? (I have a bunny ears antenna that I bought for $30 a couple of years ago. We get the main networks and thats all we need.) If you miss a show, now most of them are available for online viewing for free, at least for the major networks.
• Learn an in demand hobby or skill. Then sell your services as a freelancer locally or sites like Elance or Guru.com.
• Cook dinner at home more instead of going out to eat.
• What can you do without for a few months?
• Do you have any reoccurring monthly bills/charges that aren’t needed?

For more tips check out: http://www.danburrell.com/?p=502

Improve your finances and let it speak your real values,
Sam Carrara

Related posts:

1. Debt Got You Down?
2. Debt Got You Down? Part 2
3. Check This Out- Debt