Here's a GREAT post from Nickels-n-Dimes!!!
Christmas is over. The gifts are unwrapped and bank account is drained of the Christmas gifts funds. There is not much need to shop in the coming month of January. It’s more of a time to regroup and come up with your strategies for the next 12 months.
The sequence of financial “events” (for lack of a better term) in our home consist of the following:
- January – a time to explore your financial goals and set it in writing. If you don’t make goals and don’t write them down, it’s incredibly too easy (take it from me) to get side tracked therefore making absolutely no progress in achieving the things you wanted to accomplish by year’s end.
- February – check out those clearance sales! This is the time that stores start to pull out those summer clothes and yes…bathing suits! It’s also a wonderful time to cash in on some HOT clearance deals to prepare for next winter.
- March and April – This is when we start looking out the windows and see the beauty of spring coming upon us! This is also when I start to get the hankerin’ to start getting my hands dirty in the mulch. This past year was incredibly unorthodox for me in the sense that I did not spend the amount of time working in the yard as I had in years past. This year, I plan on getting back to normal and getting the yard in tip top shape! This takes some money for mulch, flowers, etc, so plan for this!
- June, July and August – the kids are out of school, vacation season is in full swing as are fun outings that take some cash to make happen. If you are a vacationer, look for deals. I think that you will still be able to find some good deals in regards to travel and if not, a “staycation” is always a fun way to do things in your own area that you otherwise would not.
- August is also a time of BACK TO SCHOOL! We all know that if not planned properly, this can be a HUGE expense! I am betting though that if you are reading this and other blogs, you knew where to go for the cheap supplies to help soften the burden of sending the kids back to hit the books.
- October and November – for us these are months of again getting to decorate the yard with Halloween and / or fall decor. This is also a time of getting out to more fall festivals and as anyone that hits these types of events will know, the cost of these can add up rather quickly if you are not careful. Look for free events or events that offer lots to do for little out of pocket.
- November and December – There goes the bank account! The holiday shopping season has hit and really, do I need to say anything more? One way to soften the load is to pick up things throughout the year when you can get a great deal. Hold onto it until Christmas and make it a gift that is sure to make someone on your list happy!
There are going to be expenses (there always are) that pop up unexpectedly. There will be auto repairs (UGH!), medical bills, a home repair costs, etc that throw your numbers out of whack. Even the best of planners get sidetracked with these things.
Other events such as the loss of a job can really derail your best thought out intentions. It’s because of these things that we all need to sit down with a pen and paper (or computer!) and get to work. Put your plans, goals and budgets into writing as it may help you stay on track and can leave you feeling relieved at years end that YOU DID IT! You accomplished your goals!
I am wishing you luck with all you hope to accomplish in 2010!
