Hello!

Welcome to the first of my online newsletters. As a financial recovery counselor, I help my clients achieve financial balance in their lives. What exactly does that mean? Let me explain...

a process that can transform your life. I see it happen every day when working with my clients. Here are five simple steps that will lead you to a more satisfying financial life.

1. Clarity.  Keep track of what you spend by keeping a running, accurate checkbook balance as well as tracking your cash.
2. Debt reduction.   It is a known fact that people spend more when they charge than when they pay cash.
3. Find ways to fulfill your needs other than spending money.
4. Develop a healthy relationship to saving money. 
5. Create a realistic spending plan and stick to it

There have probably been times in your life when you needed to change a behavior or overcome a bad habit and you were told to “act as if.”  When it comes to your money and finances, this may be the wrong advice.  Money vagueness, blackout shopping, money denial are all terms for not knowing what you are doing with your money, and “acting as if” everything is fine will only make the situation worse

The confusion around your money can be scary.  It can be as simple as not knowing where your money is going or as complex as being unable to stop using credit cards for non-essential expenses. To make matters worse, you may be unable to save money for those unexpected expenses that come up.

"I have always had trouble with money.  I never really knew how much was coming in or going out…(Now) I enjoy planning and tracking my spending and feel grateful for Shelley's experience and coaching style. 

Tammi J.

A recent visit to my accountant reminded me of the gift that Clarity can bring to our lives. I had an appointment to review my income and expenses for last year in order for him to prepare my tax return.  For most of us, this experience is tantamount to going to the dentist…we don’t look forward to it.  The preparation can be time-consuming and tedious. Questions come up like, do I have all the information I need?  And even, what information do I need?  My accountant sends me a letter with a list of the things he wants me to bring to the meeting. It probably would have helped if I read the list before I was sitting in his parking lot 5 minutes before my scheduled appointment!

But, much to my surprise, we were finished in half an hour. It was painless because I was prepared. When he asked me a question, I was able to quickly provide him with an accurate answer. No guesswork, no “let me try to find that info,”or “I’ll get back to you,” with the fear that I have no idea where that information is.  It was all there in black and white.  Precise, accurate and clear.  Why?  Because in preparing for this appointment all I had to do was print out my annual spending plan, organize my receipts (which I keep in a big envelop for each year) and everything I needed was at my fingertips.

This was able to happen because I keep track of everything I spend, and everything I earn. While it may sound daunting, it really isn’t.  Once you develop the habit, it takes only minutes a day…and isn’t that worth it to gain the clarity you need to transform your financial life?

As a Financial Recovery Counselor, I tell my clients that the first step to financial balance is clarity around how much money you spend on a daily basis. Using the Money Minder Express, it’s easy to track all your expenses and income for the year. Then, when tax time rolls around or some other important financial matter arises, all you have to do is go to your annual spending plan, and your information is all there. Getting things out of your head and onto paper makes life a lot easier.

How much money you spend each month What your checkbook balance is and if it matches your bank statement How much money you earn What you owe, including the interest rates on your credit cards What your wants and needs are Your financial and personal goals

It takes only minutes each day to record what you spend and what you have coming in. By keeping an accurate record there is no guesswork, no panic, no wondering where all your money went.

In order to gain control of your money, whether you want to pay off debt, save money for a down payment on a home or just become savvy about how to handle money, Clarity is the first step on the pathway to success.

If you relate to the panic, the confusion, the vagueness, the money fog, however you want to term it, give yourself the gift of clarity this year. As a financial recovery counselor, I have seen my clients’ lives become transformed by giving themselves this precious gift.

“Working with Shelley has transformed my relationship with money...  Now, for the first time, I feel like I have real clarity and control over my money. 

 Lisa Z.

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