Personal Finance Blog | Money Management Blog | Financial Help

It’s inevitable – my siblings are starting to think about the holidays looming ahead and have started the annual frantic discussion about how to reduce the expense of buying gifts for our ever-increasing family. It happens every single year . . . although, I admit, it does seem to come a little earlier each year. They see the holiday decorations starting to pop up in the stores and they each go into a panic about how to afford presents for their own children, let alone the nieces, nephews and grandparents. The ironic thing – my family really isn’t very big, but we do seem to increase by a little bit each year. I have a total of 6 nieces and nephews, not really that daunting of a group, in my opinion. However, if you don’t plan ahead for your holiday spending, it can seem a bit overwhelming.

I used to join in their panic . . . asking if we could trade names instead of buying gifts for everyone, throwing out the idea of setting spending limits, etc. The holidays would sneak up on me each and every year - I never seemed to have any money for gifts. It caused me a ton of stress and frankly made me dread the holiday season!

Not any more! Now I just smile to myself knowingly, listen to their conversations, and say that I will go along with whatever works for all of them. It’s not that I have any more money than I used to, in fact, it’s probably the opposite! My expenses have increased along with everyone else’s – gas, groceries, utilities, etc. I just plan better now! I set a little aside each month for holiday spending (based on the total that I plan to spend) and I have a set budget for how much I will spend on each child, parent, etc. Whether my siblings decide to trade names, set limits, or buy for everyone, I can make these adjustments easily from within the total amount that I already have set aside in my holiday spending envelope. And if I end up spending less – which would be great – then I just save that money and look at it as being ahead of the curve for next year!

Jennifer Streiff, Business Development

Several years ago, after spending 40+ years on a rollercoaster ride of unsuccessful weight-loss attempts, I finally decided to get help. I researched weight-loss organizations and become a member of the one organization that I felt would best fit my lifestyle and meet my needs. I was very successful with my weight-loss efforts (I lost 101 lbs. in 13 months) and my life changed in many extraordinarily wonderful ways.

After reaching my goal weight, I began the maintenance portion of the program. I successfully maintained my weight for over five years, but then started to get lazy. I stopped exercising and found that some of my old eating behaviors and habits were finding their way back into my life again. It didn’t take long for me to regain a good deal of the weight I’d worked so hard to lose. Fortunately, I knew where to go to get the help I needed (once again) and I’m pleased to report that I’m well on my way to getting back to my goal weight. Once again, I’m monitoring my eating, making time for exercise, and I’m diligently working on managing the other issues (stress, emotional eating) that sometimes get in the way of my success.

Over the past few years, I’ve realized that, just like my weight-loss journey, my financial life has a similar pattern. When I stay on top of my financial goals, frequently monitor my spending and remain aware of the issues (i.e., impulsive buying) that sometimes get in the way of my financial success, then life is good—great, in fact.

I recently learned that most Americans underestimate the amount of food they eat and overestimate the amount of exercise they get. Because I closely monitor my food intake, as well as my activity levels, I am able to successfully manage my weight. With regard to my finances, I also know that for me, personally, when I’m not keeping track, I almost always underestimate the amount of money I spend and overestimate the amount of money I actually have in the bank. However, with Finicity’s online Money Manager program, I am able to monitor my spending and stay on top of my financial situation.

Thank goodness I have found two programs that work for me so that I can be both physically—and fiscally—fit!

Debra Peterson, Executive Assistant

Recently I read a post on Laura Rowley’s Money and Happiness Blog about losing weight and getting rich. Since I am hoping to do both of those things, I thought I would try out the theory of creating a “Diet Diary.” The diet diary is supposed to help you be more aware of what you are eating. The same goes with your finances - the more aware you are of where your money is going, the more likely you are to save, invest, pay off debt, etc.

So, here is what I want to know – in addition to helping me lose weight, will recording everything that I eat also help me reduce my spending? I think that it just might! I already realized very quickly that paying $1.06 for a 32 oz coke was not only costing me 4 times the amount I pay for a can of Coke (which is $.25 if I buy a 12 pack on sale), but it’s also more than double the calories! Obvious, I know since it’s 32 oz compared to 12 oz, but I just hadn’t ever really thought about it until I saw it written down in my diet diary. So, here is what I started doing… if I plan to be in my car for a large portion of the day, I pack a little cooler with cans from home. I find that I usually drink a 12 oz can in the same amount of time that I would have, in the past, had the 32 oz fountain drink. I quickly and easily reduced my calories and my spending.

Of course, saving $.81 on Coke isn’t going to make me rich, but as they say, “every little bit adds up!” I wonder where else I will find an easy solution for cutting back on both money and calories. Do any of you have any suggestions?

Jennifer Streiff, Business Development