Mommy to 4 MJ's

So I've been blogging for the last few months on www.knoxmoms.com as budgetingmomma. I decided that I would also start posting them on this blog also. I hope that it helps someone out. Here is the latest.

When the new year approaches many people will set their New Year’s Resolutions. In our family we set 3 goals per person and as a family for the year. Some are short term like Mike coming home from his deployment. Others are long term, saving for a first time trip to Walt Disney World during fall break, potty training the last of four children.
As you set your New Year’s Resolutions or goals think about your finances and were you want to be financially this time next year. Do you want/need to be debt free? Do you want to purchase a new home or car? Do you need to start saving or paying for college or retirement? Do you just want to have money leftover at the end of the month?
When I read a book or magazine I like to take notes in my reading journal. Below are 10 ideas that I’ve read about or come up with on my own from my journal. You might want to think about them as you set your resolutions and goals. These are great for family meetings.

1.List the three most important things to you today.
2. If money was no problem, list three things that you couldn’t live without.
3. List three things that money can’t buy, that you can’t live without.
4. What is you view of money? Your husbands? Your kids?
5. How much money in the bank would make you content?
6. What is your ideal financial situation in 5, 10, 15 years?
7. If you had $1000, what would you do with it? (This will help you see where your priorities are.)
8. What could you do without if you suddenly found yourself in a financial crisis?
9. Are you willing to track your spending and work on a budget?
10. Are your marriage and kids worth it?

I hope that you will take these lists and answers to the questions and work on getting your financial house in order. We’ve all heard that 2009 will be about change. There is no better way to see change in your own home than through your finances. Less stress, less clutter from materialistic items we don’t really need, more time together, stronger relationships. Hum, maybe some more goals for 2009. See how it all goes together?

I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2009. See ya next year.
Michelle