DON’T LET SOCIAL MEDIA KEEP YOU BROKE

Mindless scrolling will keep you broke. Consuming too much social media will keep you broke. The endless amount of content that people put out there and sell will have you thinking what you have is never enough, outdated, out of season, or just wrong. Please keep in mind they make a commission, receive products for free, and often times return product back to the store after posting.

We live in a world where over consumption is keeping everyone broke trying to keep up with the latest of latest.

News flash, you don’t need a tiny home size closet. Having a wall of shoes that you probably only wear once is unrealistic. That is a waste of money. No one needs 30 pair of jeans. 20 white shirts. Please take the fashion inspiration and filter the rest. Also wear what you want. Who needs a new wardrobe every season? All it takes is investing in a few good pieces to create multiple outfits. Think about it, many of us grab the same pieces to wear to work, do errands, lounge around, and even during exercise.

Next, take it from me, a beauty junkie, there’s absolutely no reason anyone needs 10 foundations, 15 eyeshadow palettes, 40 lipsticks, and 20 bronzers. First of all, you’re never going to use any one product until it’s gone. Money wasted. The product does expire. And the rate these cosmetic companies are putting out new products it’s just useless, wasteful, and unnecessary. Many of your favorite gurus don’t even use the product after posting. Again having a closet just for makeup is unrealistic. Get you the basics you need and replenish as needed.

Talking about social media keeping you broke, who has the time and money to go on 4 lavish and exotic vacations every year. In the real world, a family barely takes one vacation a year. Don’t let social media think you’re not living life if you aren’t jet setting across the globe. Spoiler alert: some of them aren’t either. Much of what you see is FAKE!!!!! You can have a great life experiencing local festivities and activities.

Ok, this is the last one and it’s a doozy. Before you check out of your Amazon cart, ask yourself if it’s a need. I love watching “25 Things You Didn’t Know You Needed From Amazon”, but I don’t go buy them. I guarantee, if you look around your home, there are items purchased that aren’t being used. Just gadgets that seem cool, fun to look at, or great concept for a one time use. Everything should have a place and there’s a place for everything.

Social media can be a great tool for inspiration. But leave it there. Keep things in perspective. Be realistic. And while they are making a great living don’t you go broke buying everything they recommend because “it’s a must have.” ALL MY SOCIAL MEDIA APPS DELETED

Ironically this will not only help your wallet, but your mental and emotional wellness also. A few years ago I began getting irritated by all the clothes that still had tags on them in the closet. Shoes, especially tennis shoes, that I forgot about because I had too many options or my lifestyle just didn’t provide me the opportunities to get a good wear out of all I had. It pains me to talk about the amount of half used makeup I threw out because I had too much or it was sitting for too long.

I took my own advice after looking around my home and seeing money laying around and wasted.

That’s when the lightbulb went off. The first step in getting to a great place mentally and emotionally is going bare. I began selling clothes and shoes that I didn’t wear. If I had’t worn it in a year I was selling it. If I forgot I had it, I sold it. Let’s get to know me and heal me without all this “stuff”. It’s an amazing feeling. No distractions, you making some money on the side, and learning to be comfortable as you are.

Don’t let social media keep broke or make you go broke. Use it for inspiration, ideas, and entertainment. But just like they do, use a filter and get rid of the excess. Be well!!!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

HOW RISKY ARE YOU: TO QUIT OR NOT QUIT YOUR JOB

Since the pandemic many have had an awakening of becoming their own boss versus working the current job they have. They had an epiphany about what they missed out on, financial freedom, flexibility, and being appreciated. However, depending on who you ask there may or may not be a right or wrong way to go about it.

The Risk Taker

First you have those that says I’m going to bet on myself. I’m tired of working a 9-5. I want to be my own boss. They want the flexibility to work or create when they are most effective. The risk taker also is someone who has many ideas, creative, and very social. They have much confidence in themselves and says I’m going to win no matter what. The risk taker says if you have a plan B, then you aren’t putting all your efforts into Plan A. So of course you’re going to have to rely on Plan B one day. FINANCIAL MINDSET: WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

As Steve Harvey once said, “If my plan A doesn’t work then I’ll create another plan A.”

There isn’t a certain time to be stable to branch out on your own. Anything can happen. The more you try to work and save until you have enough, the longer you’re prolonging your dream and happiness. The comfort will always have you pushing back the deadline to begin your own.

The risk taker may also feel the company can shut down at any moment. They can lay you off without warning. Cut positions, hours, and benefits. Then where will that lead you. https://amzn.to/3NQgytd

The Cautious One

Next, we have those that says I have a family and bills. What about insurance. What if something happens. They are used to that guaranteed amount and needs that security “just in case.” It’s best to save at least six months, some say, before quitting your job. You need to make sure you’re financially secure and the family is stable while pursuing your dream. It’s all about security and comfort.

So do you quit your job and bet on yourself? Or keep that stable job until you feel you’re ready to stand on your own. Either way there are pros and cons to each. Depending on your life, lifestyle, circumstances, financial status, and many other factors. They both have the same end goal. To be financially free and to have something to pass down to their children. Doing what they love. Having fun. At some point working minimum hours while receiving maximum profit. https://amzn.to/41OXlOo

I’m a believer in your job or career should fit into your life not your life fitting into your job.

Which mindset are you? Quit or not?

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

FINANCIAL MINDSET: WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

After hearing two coworkers different point of view about finances, budgeting, and saving it had me think about my point of view on finances. Which mindset of the financial spectrum did I fall on? One coworker said she only lives once. Therefore, she buys what she wants, when she wants, and doesn’t particularly save. She pays her bills in full every month. After that, she and her husband live their life. They didn’t believe in the rainy day. “I can’t take the money with me when I die.” Hmmmmm…….

The other coworker was on the complete opposite end of the financial mindset. Her and her family budget everything every month down to the entertainment, eating out, and extras. She said if she goes to the store and get to the counter and the total is over what she planned she will stand there and determine which item she needs less and put it back. Whenever the budget runs out for that category, that is it until next payday or it’s time to budget again. They also have a set savings amount each month. “We just don’t know what’s going to happen.” Hmmmmmm……

So that leads me to the question of which mindset are you?

A. Tomorrow isn’t promised so I’m going to live each day like it’s my last. I’ll worry about tomorrow and what is needed then.

B. I like to be prepared and make sure I have everything I need. I never know when an emergency or unexpected situation or expense may occur.

C. Some where in the middle.

D. Haven’t thought about it.

What’s your financial mindset? Which aisle of the spectrum do fall on? QUICK FINANCIAL WELLNESS TIP

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

Money Jar Saving Method for easy saving

I grew up on the money jar saving method and didn’t even know it. For example, as a little girl my father would have this huge glass jar filled with coins. When the jar became full, he would take it to the bank, cash it in, and make a deposit. My aunt also had a money jar, that she kept on the corner table filled with coins, and that’s what we used as our daily bus fare.

It’s ironic that in the last couple of years, I too, have adopted the save money method using jars. Right now we keep an old peanut jar on the kitchen counter for our daily lose change.

What is a money jar? Welp, its a money management system used to save, budget, plan, and be financially responsible. It’s the act of using mason jars or any kind of jar to place a certain dollar amount in daily, weekly, or monthly to reach a certain finacnial goal. This is a great system for those who have trouble saving or poor spending habits. The money jar system can be used to save for something specific or rainy day.Handle Your Business…Get Your Finances Together

Go to your kitchen cabinet and grab a glass that you aren’t using and put a dollar in it. Do this every Monday, or whatever day you choose. If you have more to spare in your budget then start with $5 or whatever you can afford. The best thing about this system is that you can start as little as your budget allows. This is the quickest and easiest way to save money especially if you’re on a budget or just going through a rough time right now.

Having a money jar or jars in the home are a great way to physically see your savings. Yes, we have saving accounts, but the physical action of taking money out of your wallet, and watching that jar fill, encourages you mentally and emotionally. You see the progress which encourages you to save more and spend less.

Also, I don’t know about you, but we’ve become so used to swiping our debit or credit card. How many times have you said you weren’t going to spend any money, and before you know it, your account balance has dropped. It’s very easy to swipe, and guys those small amounts add up.

You begin to know the importance of spending less, being grateful for what you have, and the desire of having “stuff” isn’t as fulfilling anymore. You become more comfortable in living without certain “things” and notice the amount of frivolous spending that may occur.

The insight on “what did I spend my money on” becomes clear. How many times do you look and say where did I spend all that money? What did I buy? I’ve done it plenty of times walking out the store, and saying “it doesn’t look like I have a cart of stuff worth a $100”. How many times have you guys said that?

You can have as many money saving jars as you think you need or want. To begin the process, figure out what you want to save for and how many jars you need. We have 3 children so January 1, we get a jar and label it Christmas. Next, we like to pay our car insurance in full so we have one labeled car insurance. Thirdly, we have one that literally say “rainy day”. Finally we each have one for something we are saving for personally to us.

Next, label each jar. You can create labels, color code them, or purchase some labels . Then figure out a place in your home of where you’d like to place it. You can opt to keep it visual or in a spot to where it’s out of sight.

You can use the money jar saving method for a house down payment , purchasing a new car, tuition, vacation, or whatever you desire. If you don’t have the finances or desire to purchase a set of mason jars, then you can literally get some glasses and place the money in there.

This process is completely personal to you. You can get as creative as you like. Actually the more creative you are the better.

Mentally you will be encouraged to save as you see it grow, you gain confidence in knowing you’re taking responsibility, and knowing you are pursuing your goals actively. Emotionally you become more aware and conscious of your actions. It makes you question priorities, needs, and wants. Financially you have taken responsibility , being more aware of your spending, and taking control of your life.

Initially, I was like so many people in thinking that’s what I have a savings account for. But since I’ve began using the money jar saving method weekly, I’m more encouraged to save, excited about the possibilities and opportunities the savings will allow me, and motivated to continuously be more financially responsible and aware.

One of our biggest motivations is to know that we have something saved not just for our family but if someone we love who is need we can provide a little financial assistance to them in their time of need.

Most of the time one of the biggest reasons we begin to feel hopeless or in despair it’s due to a financial set back that we didn’t expect. Having a financial set back tends to send every other area in our life into a pit. The best way to set ourselves up for success is to begin to save no matter what our income level is and using the money jar system is a great way to start. I encourage anyone to try the money jar saving method. Make a commitment, start small, and work on your finances this year.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.