The Active Prepared Life #1: Goals This Week

Let me start out by saying that by posting these goals I am letting everyone who reads this into my life.  I like my privacy and doing this actually makes me very uncomfortable but it is what's best because by announcing my goals to my readers I am establishing some accountability as many of you pointed out in my initial post that summarized the plan (The Active Prepared Life). Thank you for reading and coming on this journey with me. 

Categories:
Life/General
Love
Health/Fitness
Career
Financial

These are the areas in my life that I feel need the most improvement.  Each week I will set goals in these categories aimed at cultivating a more healthy and happy lifestyle for myself.  Goals and categories may be removed and also revisited.  The goal is continual improvement and the integration of this system into my lifestyle.  So here goes...

Life/General
1.  Meditate/Pray for 15mins daily
2.  Actively think positive thoughts

Love
1.  Call my boyfriend at least once a day
2.  Express concerns about relationship

Health/Fitness
1.  Work out at least 5 times a week
2.  Only drink water (green tea & protein shake are allowed)

Career
1.  Assist wherever needed
2.  Complete tasks as they come to you

Finance
1.  Do not lend money
2.  Only purchase necessities

I chose two goals per category this week because I did not want this process to be a burden.  I think two goals should suffice until I get into this.  Once again thank you for reading.

Book Review: The Total Money Makeover

Disclaimer:  All books and/or items that I review were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise.  I am not being paid to endorse any product or service that I review.  These reviews are based off of my experience and my experience only unless otherwise stated.  So now that I have that out of the way let's get into this book.

This guy is so cool.

(My Personal Background)
After months of worrying about my financial stability, I finally decided to take action and it all began with Google.  Yep, my long-time friend with whom I've discovered many unique and interesting tidbits while exploring the outer regions of boredom.  I typed in 'financial well-being' and of course good old Suze (Suze Orman for those who just came out from under their rocks) and this other fellow Dave Ramsey popped up.  Well I've heard of his radio show (never listened, yikes!) and he seemed to know enough so I sauntered over to his website daveramsey.com where I spent the rest of my day learning all sorts of useful information including the fact the he wrote a book...The Total Money Makeover.  Well it doesn't take much to convince me so I bought the book on Amazon (for download on Kindle).

(Actual Review & Gushing)
 Let me start out with THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!  Not only does it let you know how to gain your financial footing but it gives you a plan to do it.  There are steps, but not the normal crappy teeny baby steps that leave you feeling like you could have had a V8 instead...nope these steps (after completing of course) leave you feeling like you getting out of debt is simple and he explains that it is, but it is also uncomfortable.  You're going to have to give up old money habits and adopt new ones and by now we all know change is uncomfortable.  Nevertheless I love this book.  It includes success stories, helpful quotes, and financial advice that you can really use.  Dave Ramsey has been through what he's teaching and knows what he is talking about.  He didn't just learn a bunch of principles then spit them out at us expecting that we understand.  He went from bankruptcy to where he is now, he lived what he is teaching.  I would recommend this book to everyone.  It is awesome and I realize that I am a little late reading this book but it was worth it.  The information that he gives is absolutely still relevant and everyone should have a copy.  The Total Money Makeover is what you need if your financial situation is looking pretty bad (let's cut the crap you're in some deep mess) and you desire to reach financial security.  I plan to read his other books, listen to his radio show, and if my boss doesn't mind I'd like to spend 3-4 hours of my workday on his website (I'm joking). Thank you Mr. Ramsey.

Financial stability, not just the ability to buy nice things, is my ultimate goal and I feel as though this book is as good a place as any to start.  I will begin my makeover now and I hope that this book can inspire others like me to do the same.  Thanks for reading!

This Week In Retrospect: Time to Relax

Sorry everyone I know I haven't posted in a couple of days but it's simply because I been super busy with work, preparing to move, going to school, and life in general.  I have recently started a new workout regime and it's definitely a killer.  It definitely takes time and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.  No wonder everyone is so unhealthy.  In between work and the gym all I want to do is sleep.  I'll update everyone on that later.  I've definitely been way too stressed.  This week has been one to remember or maybe even one that I'd like to forget.


So what exactly have I learned and witnessed this week.

1. Living a healthy lifestyle is harder than it seems.  Willpower and support from others come in at an all-time low when you're trying to better yourself.  
2. Balancing life is also tricky but it is necessary.
3. Getting enough sleep is very important.  I was late to a few appointments because I got a little too friendly with the snooze button.
4. Never underestimate the power of effective time and financial management.

Okay so this week wasn't full of thought provoking revelations.  I was so busy.  I'm going to work on a schedule that will allow me to maximize my efficiency throughout the day.  Well, this weekend I had time to relax with family and friends. 

Until Next Time...

Lesson Learned: Don't Lend Money to Friends

These do not exist.

Oh, young silly me!  How naive of me to believe that everyone that makes a promise is pressured by some noble obligation to keep that promise made. If only they were, then maybe I wouldn't be out of nearly $1000 all at once.  In case you're wondering, this rant is about lending money and why I believe it is a horrible thing to do.  Okay, let me rephrase myself...lending anyone money with the expectation of actually receiving any of that money back is a bad idea.  Much better.

Why lending money (with the expectation of repayment) is a bad idea?

1.  Well the indication that you want to be repaid makes me honestly believe that you may have needed that money.  So if you need that money why would you give it away?  You worked hard for that, use it for what you need.  

2.  It creates tension.  No one likes owing anyone.  I have never seen a situation where the situation hasn't been tense or caused some dispute.  Oh, and don't even think of involving a contract. It now makes the other person feel as though you think they're not trustworthy.  Contracts are for banks not friends.

3.  You're not helping them (more towards repeat borrowers).  Why do they need to borrow money?  Well, I'd like to think it's because they don't have any at the time (or ever).  Why don't they have money?  Maybe, their job doesn't pay well or maybe their lack of money is due to horrible financial planning, in either case the real problem isn't fixed simply because you alleviated their financial worries for the moment.

In any case lending money is just a bad practice, now this isn't to say that you can't give away money. You can do that but only if you have it to spare.  Anything (as far as money is concerned) outside of charity is a no-go.  True friends are hard to come by, don't let financial issues come between friendship.