With Faith comes clarity - What if I literally put the cart before the horse by starting to make payments to myself while my car is still running? Let’s say I do some research. First, find a car I like (most dealership websites will have the approximate payment amount listed).  Next, call my insurance company's customer service or use the online quote tool to see how much it will cost to add the new car and remove my old car from my plan.  For this example, I will use a car payment of $600 per month and an increase in insurance of $100. This means that I will have to pay an additional $700 per month to get the car. Now, let's consider if my budget can do that. If I'm NOT able to save $700 a month, I would need to find a cheaper car (A GAL GOTTA EAT)! If I am able to save the payment and maintain a comfortable lifestyle, the money is still available for emergency use.  Then when it's time to buy the car, I will already have made several payments or in the best-case scenario - I could possibly pay it off.  The reward is being confident of what I'm able to afford ahead of time. Additionally, if I use the money saved to make the down payment, I could opt for a lower car payment or a shorter financing term which will likely get me a better interest rate on the car loan. I can also just keep the savings as back up for a rainy day or spend it on a road trip in my new car. Just imagine, if my current car keeps on ticking for five more years to make this goal even more successful - that will be icing on the cake! 
It is amazing how prayer and planning can make a scary decision easier. If you need help with making a decision or need an accountability partner, let me know. I am now a certified goal life coach. Together we can make things happen. ​Much Success, Carla

​In challenging times, I cannot stress the need for financial awareness and literacy. For most, the tools to improve your financial situation are already in your possession.  In fact, living within your means can be reality.  It all starts with sacrifice.  Ask yourself these questions?
​Do you have a budget?
When discussing financial issues with people, I have realized that most people do not have a budget. They have no method of keeping track of what comes in and what goes out.  Without my monthly budget sheet, I would be totally lost. I know that in any given month I will be only be paid twice, and I know what expenses need to be covered from each of those paychecks. This simple tracking allows me to understand what limits I have on my spending. It also leads the way to putting that occasional third paycheck directly into the  savings account.  If you have no clue what amounts should be in your budget for groceries or extras like grooming the dog or getting your nails done, track your habits for a month or two. Budgets are not made to create restrictions; they are just a guide, so you can achieve financial balance and reduce stress. A happy purse makes a happy person.

If you ask most single women what is the most important quality in a partner, they would likely say faithfulness or loyalty.  Just as we have expectations of a love relationship, we have to set expectations of our relationship with money.  Do you start the year out saying you are going to put a certain amount away?  Do you talk about saving but end up spending more?  How do you think your savings account feels when it is always having to cover your checking account from overdrafts?  You are literally cheating on your money and being the worst type of player - promising that you are going to make steady deposits and it just never gets done!  Take a moment and reflect on why your saving account is low or gets depleted each month.  I know many people struggle with money and lost wages due to the pandemic, but wouldn't things would have been a little easier if you had $10-20K in the bank beforehand? Think back over the last 10 years. Let's say you calculated how much money you spent ordering food instead of cooking. I recently stopped at a fast food drive thru and got combo meals for my son and I.  It costed nearly $17.  That same amount of money could have bought breakfast, lunch, and a decent dinner at the grocery store. Also consider how much leftovers you threw out last year.  Each time I clean out the frig, I'm throwing away at least 3-4 meals.  Let's not mention the items we purchase and never use.  I'm sure that if over the last 10 years I would have been more aware of how I treated my money, then I would have had a lot more in the bank.  So before this first payday of 2021, take a moment and think about your relationship with money and how you can achieve a healthy relationship that grows your bank accounts.  How can you keep your savings account happy?
In the next few days, I will also post some tips I have learned and practice to help with my finances. Let's make our relationship with money a prosperous one.

Here's how to grab on to this awesome financial challenge. 
What you should do:
1. Know that carrying a balance on a credit card is not a good decision. However since one cannot predict or be prepared for every emergency, try to pay off any credit card balances as soon as possible. This plan does not work if you have balances, since interest rates will always be higher than the cash back percentage - That's just how the laws of the credit card industry works. 
2. Know your limits. Swiping without thought or preparation is never a good idea. Use your credit card for everything, but treat it like cash. You must maintain a balance you can pay off every month. I send my payment on the 1st of each month so that I can feel like I'm starting the new month at $0. 
3. Do not touch the cashback stash! Yes, you may earn $20 one month and $100 another, but never cash in until the end of the year. Let it build to enjoy your reward.
4. Review your options. I always use my balance as a statement credit, but there are also options like getting it as a check or buying gift items out of the rewards store. Either way, cash back bonuses provide extra cash to your budget. 

I'm so excited! Let's see what kind of bonus 2020 brings! 

Turn on the radio...
Now that I got you singing, let's talk business!  

Calling all Mompreneurs:

​Do you use your car for work?
It's early in the morning, and you have to meet a client. You get up and get dressed.  You grab your phone and bag. You hop in your car and be on your way.  What is wrong with this picture?
One of the most under-reported expenses is the use of your personal vehicle for work. Did you record your mileage or do you have a plan to capture it?  Keep in mind, your mileage for work is not just to and from your destination. Think about all the other places you go during the day. 
Track your actual mileage
If you meet a client for a business lunch and they ask you to take them to the airport on your way home, this will not be included if you only use a map app to determine your mileage. Think about it -- if you drive an extra 10 miles out of your way each week for a year, that is 520 unclaimed miles. At roughly $.55 per mile, you could be losing out on almost $300 of expense claims per year. 
​

​Make Smart Decisions
Using your personal car for business-related expenses can take a toll on the overall health of your car. Be diligent about getting your oil changes and tune ups.  Also, remember to shop around! For things like tires, you don't want to wait until one blows out to make that purchase. If you do, instead of finding the best deal, you will be stuck paying for the most convenient. Get those line items repaired on time, so you can shop around and get the best available prices. Each time you get your car serviced, they provide you with a report. Try to stay ahead of those upcoming and obvious repairs like getting new tires.

So, what does it take to be an expense expert?  Well, you already are! No one knows the expenses related to your business better than you. All you need to do is be aware of what you are spending and definitely keep a log.

​Note: This post is for informational purposes only. For tax advice, please contact a tax professional or visit www.irs.gov.

How would it feel to have $500 - 1000 dollars deposited in your bank account at the end of each year without paying a cent for it?

I just requested my statement credit of over $700 - yep totally paid for me.  Oh, how I love the cashback option on my credit card.  Simply put - I get paid to pay my bills and spend money on groceries, gas, and eating out.  You have probably tried using a cashback credit card and gave up when the return was only a few cents. Well, when you have a strategy, it works!  All you need is a little discipline. ​

Here is how to maximize your cashback bonus and make it work for you.
When I say DISCIPLINE, I mean you have to stick with these strategies:

• Only use your cashback credit card for everything you usually pay with cash monthly that does not charge a fee.  I use it for gas, groceries, shopping, online purchases, cable bill, cell bill, and eating out.  I do not use it for my electric bill or car registration because they charge a credit card processing fee. Train your spouse and kids to use the card instead of cash.  Don't carry cash so there is no temptation to pay by cash.
• It is critical to pay off your credit card each month.  Never carry a balance over, because the interest rate on your card is always much greater than your cashback reward!  Don't charge more than you  can pay. You must have an  emergency fund for emergencies!  If you don't have one, then do not start this plan until you have saved for those unexpected things that could cause you to use a credit card and not be able to pay it off. Or designate another card(with the lowest interest rate) as the emergency card. Never carry a balance on your cashback card.
• Pick your yearly bonus date! Do not cash in the reward every month. Some months you may only earn $20, but others you may earn $50.  My yearly cash-in day is 12/31. All those little amounts add up.  In 2017, I earned over $1000 - again with very little effort!
• Remember this is your reward. You can do what you want with it. It should never be part of your budget.  You do not know how much it will be, so don't count on it for paying off your Christmas shopping debt (although it may just do that!)  It is free money for you! You can buy a CD or put it in your retirement or savings account.  You can go on a cruise or buy a new wardrobe. Start a  business with it. Do what you like! You can even give it away or use it as a statement credit.   

Try this strategy and let me know how much your bonus is  this year! Click here to see more blogs about financial topics.

​Need help with your unsecured debt? See below!