Winning the Money Battle - Evaluate Pt 1

Is this a good Investment?

When you sit down and look at your income and at your bills, does it look like you are working to just to put money into others' pockets?

Considering that over 50% of the women in the US do work at some point during their lives, and many times while single, or building a family, the question should be asked; 'Is going to work a good investment?'
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I decided to break down this question and evaluate this investment we make toward the great economic account we pour our time and money and lives into. Let's take a look at what going to work and the (ROI) Return on investment might look like.

First, let's look at what we need just to get started - Business Wardrobe, additional groceries for brown bagging it, hitting the gas pumps every other day, not to mention wear and tear on the car parts, and the tires, the time it takes to drive to work, and home again at the end of the day, and throw in daycare and we wonder; is all this worth it? What do we gain? What does it really cost?
With this economy many think break even is as good as it can get. Or, perhaps, you are doing a little better and able to put a little extra aside for your rainy day, that's excellent and gives you a sense of control. But what if you are in the position of falling behind every month and never seeing a cent in your pocket? What do you then? How do you change this pattern? Sure there are oodles of books and matrix program, budget programs available, but are you really going to take the time to sit down in front of your computer and put together an Excel sheet or something similar?

What is the easiest way for YOU to get a handle on your monthly budget?

Let's look at the most simple and basic method that will not overwhelm the most math-challenged person.

Take a lined piece of paper and do the following -

1. Get all your bills that are paid on a monthly basis and write down who they are, next to each one the due date, then the amount due.

2. Check these companies to find out if they offer a budget plan - that is the same amount paid every month - you might find you can save some money. Also, check if you can save by paying online and not have paper bills sent to you, again, you may be able to save money here too.

3. Look at your bank online to see if they offer an special savings on auto, home, or other insurance - I save an extra $20.00 on my car insurance just by signing up through my bank.

4. If you have tuition or school loans, these are also negotiable - sometimes scholarships are awarded, or you can adjust the monthly payment if you are able to volunteer once a month for the school.

5. Next, take those monthly expenses for things like; tithing or giving, groceries, dry-cleaning, medicines, diapers, coffee runs, going out to eat, alcohol, cigarettes, and other miscellaneous that you have occur on a monthly basis. Are there any bubbling up to the surface that you see where you can cut back or cut out? Usually the hardest ones to give up are the ones we are addicted to; coffee, lattes, cigarettes, alcohol, sodas, going out to eat, and these are the ones that if you stopped buying for even one month you would see a savings depending on your habit of course, but a savings that can go straight into the bank.

Determine to discipline yourself and just do it. After one month, if you like what you see, then try it again next month, and little by little you will begin to see those dollars adding up in your savings account.
Finally, look at your income vs. expenses after you have made these changes. Do you start to see improvement in your finances? Is your investment starting to look like it can yield a return?
It's all up to you and what you want - so go after it and win your battle over money!
You can do it - You are a Winning Woman!