Free Money

 image credit: Google

Boom! Wow! You’ve just won $1,000.00 after taxes.

What would you do with it?

It’s “unscheduled money” so would you use it for bills anyway? Or would you use it as “fun money”?

House repairs? Car savings? A year’s worth of dinner and movies? Travel? Clothes? Tools? Donations?

Sit with this idea of getting $1,000.00 and feel it. Pay attention to how it feels receiving the money, and making plans to spend it. If it doesn’t feel good, you’re in the moment of lack — wishing it were more than $1,000.00, or focusing on “it’s not real.”

Everything begins in the mind. Imagination is where it all starts for everything — the chair you’re sitting on; the computer you use. The idea is to feel the fun of the money and plans. That shifts your focus and energy to receiving and if you keep this up throughout the day, you’ll see a shift. Some may see it that day, others in a few days, and others a week or so. Don’t stress out about “doing it right.” Have fun. If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it.

Sometimes I do this throughout the day. I’ll plan to spend it on yard art. Then a few hours later, I spend it on travel. I never tell myself, “You can’t re-spend it.” I just keep having the experience of receiving and planning.

Have fun with  your free money!

Cha-ching!

Savers and Spenders

 image credit: Google

Savers and spenders. It could be seen as two sides to a coin. There are those who think having “too much” money is bad, greedy, or evil. There are those who can’t get enough of money—whether by hoarding for status, or in hope that it’ll solve all their problems. Then there are those who could be considered tight-wads by their lifestyle of saving. These are people who can squeeze a nickel so tight, it gives Jefferson a headache.

It’s beneficial to know in which of these categories you tend to land.

By examining the emotions around what motivates you, you can realistically look at a situation and say, “Oh, I see it. The emotion, the small-self, the fear—whatever you want to call it, is afraid that: _________ (fill in the blank) money will corrupt me, I won’t fit in with the crowd, I won’t have enough to retire, even if it takes longer I must keep looking for a better deal. . . .

Consider journaling on your self-talk about money. Or paint, or draw your emotions. Maybe you can sit and have a “conversation” with your money issues. Ask it’s fear. Ask “why?” Ask yourself if you’ve outgrown that old belief — or why you haven’t. Maybe someone long ago told you what may have been true for them, but that doesn’t mean it’s true for you—especially now, as an adult, in your own life. It doesn’t make that person wrong, but it gives you control by your being conscious of what you believe.

Savers and Spenders. Two sides to a coin. What will you do with your half?

Abundance isn’t Gluttony

 Image credit: Google

I’m absolutely amazed as I look around on the freeways. They’re packed with nice, new, gas guzzling cars and trucks. I’m all for new, nice and abundance. We live in the land of plenty. Is it abundance? Is it gluttony?

Then, there are people uncomfortable with gas prices, but not willing to boycott oil companies, even for one day. Do they fear their stock may drop—and they think they won’t have new options for investments? Is it because we’re a rich nation? Or are we, the people, apathetic?

Are you paying .10 for a plastic grocery bag yet? This has been common practice for years in Ukraine, other European countries and the South Pacific—and these are only the countries I know of first hand.

Q: How do you tell an American traveler in a foreign grocery store?

A: The American shows up without a grocery bag, and is shocked when charged for one!

We claim we’re doing our part to help, if not save the environment. We all have our re-usable bags. They’re left in our car, but we have them. They’re cotton, plastic, or nylon. We’ve get them through event give-aways and donation recognition. They’re cheap, yet a statement. Are we slowly replacing paper and plastic with material bags of multiple color and size, made in China, to be left at home or in cars, later for the thrift store or land fill?

We plod along—as individuals, as a nation—complaining, resisting, and then stand in shock, finger pointing, wondering how “they” got us into this mess. Do you want to mail a letter in New Zealand? Go to the gas station! (They’ve already closed their post offices. They didn’t argue about it for years. They swallowed hard and did it.)

We are a nation and world of igneous people. We will always find ways to replace and improve what doesn’t work. More isn’t always better—even the good stuff.

Find a balance. Today exercise a bit. Think a bit. Rest. Be good to you. Be good to those around you. Be good to those you’ll never know.

Consciously Deciding

 

Photo Credit: Google Image

 

Sometimes we can get caught up in the outer pull. A sale. A season. The excitement around us, or the smell of a bakery. Be conscious. I love the bakery aroma! Sometimes, I even love the bakery taste! More than once I’ve found myself in the bakery, or store bakery section for a peek or to get a whiff of the treats. I know this sounds a bit eccentric, but as usually, as I look, I imagine the taste before deciding if I will buy it. Ah, beautiful, but not sweet enough. Wow. That’s huge—and I’d eat it all now, then regret it. $7 for a small pastry! Holy cow! I’d rather donate the money to a local hiking trail. If my desire and imagined or remembered taste meet my feel good point, I buy it. No guilt. The point being, be conscious in whatever you do.

Do You bake? Have you ever made a cake so you can have two or three pieces? Give the rest of the cake to neighbors who don’t talk about calories or eating only organic. (Give those sorts of neighbors carrots.) By sharing, the cake will stay fresh, and sharing a treat creates a bit of unexpected fun. Who knows, maybe they’ll have just bought some ice cream and offer to share with you!

I confess, once I made a pie because I wanted a piece. I had every intention to share with a neighbor, but when the pie was ready, I noticed they were busy. (Too busy for pie?) I ended up having (really good) apple pie for breakfast for a few days. Next time I made pie, I told those same neighbors I was about to make it, and asked them if they wanted to come over in about two hours. They were thrilled. I was consciously aware of what I was doing. When it comes time to eat your bakery or home made treat, enjoy! Savor! Taste the experience, not just the flavor.

How to Become Wealthy

Wealth has to do with consciousness, not just dollars in the bank. Some people have the dollars in the bank, and are still in debt, and unhappy. It’s basically the story of the tortoise and the hare. One puts aside as they go along, the other is living for today, saying things like, “I deserve it.”

Wealth has more to do with attitude and behaviors than actual numbers. (Sure, there’re those who have millions, but the I think if you click on the link below, you’ll find ways you can stress less about money, and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

…the key to financial freedom is spending less than you earn over a long period of time. This is the way that people who’ve never earned more than $30,000 a year can retire rich (by following the principle) and how people earning $1 million a year can die broke (by not following it). That’s really good news for all of us because cutting expenses/living below your means is much easier and more controllable than trying to increase your income.

Feng Shui and Money

Money is a form of energy. It’s a more convenient way of carrying around our form of barter than lugging around chickens and goats.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of placement. It’s based on the knowledge that everything is energy, and when energy is stuck, we get stuck, emotionally or otherwise. Feng Shui is basically  setting your intention around energy. It doesn’t have to be woo-woo or expensive. In most cases, you don’t need to spend money to set feng shui into action. You can begin right now with setting your intention, removing clutter (which is what I define as things that don’t raise or maintain the energy you want) and re-arranging things in your apartment, home, or room(s) within it. You don’t have to decorate in red and black. If you feng shui your desk at work no one will know unless you tell them. (Well, if you have a little Buddha, and bagua mirror it may stand out a bit…)

An interesting blog, video, and three minute intro podcast to feng shui:  The Feng Shui Way Podcast

A book and blog with a fun, light approach to feng shui: http://www.karenrauchcarter.com/feng-shui-blog/

Feng Shui is not a replacement for common sense. (Darn!) You can do all the right moves with color and product—but if you ignore your budget, and continue an attitude of doom and blame, the place you forgot to feng shui is your thinking. Have fun with it; don’t abdicate your mind to anything or anyone.

Habits

There’s been lots of talk lately about habits. There’s agreement that a habit has three parts to it. What cues set us off? Is it walking into work past the smoker crowd that sets off the desire to smoke? What routines do we follow? Do we leave the house with a coffee in our hand if it’s before 8:00 a.m.? What’s the reward we gain? Socializing during a smoke break? Waking up via coffee?

When we’re doing something by habit, we’re on auto pilot. This includes spending money. There’s a new book out, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg. Seems that people who go to the gym tend to use their credit cards less. These same people also wash their dishes early in the morning. What these people have done is figure out their habits—and by changing one habit, another one changes. Going to the gym often leads to healthier eating.

Because we’re on auto pilot with habits, the habits are seem harder to stop. We need to consciously make changes.

Here’s a link to the blog by Charles Duhigg, author os The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business.

http://charlesduhigg.com/blog/

THIS WEEK is World Water Week: UNICEF Tap Project

I write a lot about saving money, budgeting, and living at higher levels of consciousness. Today I’m focusing on the latter, asking you to consider giving up $1.00 (one U.S. dollar) to help save a life.  UNICEF Tap Project

It’s world water week. March 19th to 25th.

In short, find or become a participating restaurant. Order and pay $1.00 for a glass of tap water.

Yes.

 $1.00 for tap water can help provide clean, safe water for 40 children in need (or a child for 40 days.) Every day 4,000 children die of water-related diseases. Nearly 900 million people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water.

Since its inception in 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project has raised nearly $3 million in the U.S. and has helped provide clean water for millions of children globally.

Help us live in a world where zero children die from water-related diseases.

Make a reservation to save the world.

Clean, safe tap water. Nothing is more basic – and nothing more important to life.

Donate, volunteer or find a participating restaurant go to   UNICEF Tap Project

When you take water, give water.

 

UNICEF is a charity ranking Four Stars  (the highest rank) with Charity Navigator.org

Research all your charities before giving.

What Are You Saving For?

Do you go to the dentist expecting a cavity? Are you saving for a rainy day? How about changing your strategy to save for a vacation, or a car, or to be able to do what you want to do – when you want to do it? If we expect trouble, we’re bound to find it.

Yes, unexpected things happen, but no need to announce to the universe you’re planning to receive a rotten egg. Absolutely have your living expenses in order. Work toward having at least six months of income put aside, but don’t label that account “rainy day” or “emergency money.” Call it “Long term savings” or label it something fun. If something other than fun comes up—an instant need for a new hot water heater, a flight across the country, or a car repair, it’s covered. The money is there, and you can rest knowing this account is for Life, and all that it brings.

Giving Thanks

For what you do have, give thanks.

For who you are today—right in this moment, give thanks.

Give thanks for all that has molded you to the person you’ve become.

And for your knowledge and willingness to strive to do your best, daily, give thanks.