financial planning series [part 1]

Let's talk about money.  I know, I know, money is something that each and every one of us have a love/hate relationship with.  I want to help you have more of a love for your income.  A respect for the hard work you do, and an appreciation for the hard work your husband/wife/significant other does.  Now, I'm not wanting to turn you into a money hungry greedy Mr Scrooge.  I just want to help you become financially "serene". 

First and foremost I want you to think about how you pay your bills.  What's your ritual?  Do you have one?  Where do you sit down and do your financial planning?  Do you have a desk?  The coffee table?  The dinner table?  Floor?  Is bill paying something you regret?  Financial planning is something that we HAVE to do.  Much like eating and showering!  We might as well learn to enjoy it.  [Or at the very least, be able to sit down and do it without the need of antacid and a xanax haha!]  

We're going to create a space that is calming and serene.  A space that you enjoy and brings good positive energy to you.  I'm not telling you to run out and purchase a bunch of decorating items, organizing items, and a desk.  That would definitely defeat the purpose of all of this.  Work with what you have!

If you have a desk:
What is the state of your desk?  Paper clutter galore?  How can you be serene with your bill paying, if you're sitting in a clutter swamp?  Organize that puppy!  Do it now!  If you can't even find your bills, how are you going to be able to pay them on time stress free?  

If you don't have a desk:
For the longest time I did all my household planning including finances at the dinner table.  I know what you're imagining.  You picture paper clutter all over the dining table, a laptop sitting there, and yesterday's coffee mug!  Well you're wrong!  I had a wonderful tote that I kept everything I needed.  That tote lived in a chair tucked under the table.  This portable office housed my netbook, my kindle, my budget binder, my planner, pens/highlighters, charging cables, and anything else I needed including my "serenity items".  I use this one from Reisenthel, it's sturdy & has an aluminum frame...

Serenity items & creating your space:

I LOVE candles!  Sorry Scentsy ladies, I can't live without my candles.  There's something about that flickering flame that calms me.  My candle of choice is Bath & Body Works candles.  "But Emilee... those are expensive!"  They can be, you are right.  I ONLY purchase them when they are on sale.  2 for $20 is when I usually stock up and I always stack a coupon with that.  For a quality candle I have no problem spending $10 a piece.  You could even get the smaller ones that are even cheaper, which I might suggest to you if you're taking advantage of the portable office approach.  To me, having a candle flickering and emitting the most pleasant aromatic experience is a bill paying necessity.  What do you feel most calm with?  Classical music playing?  Candle burning?  Being surrounded by pictures of loved ones?  Think of the things you LOVE!  Make sure to incorporate that into your space.  Make it a happy place for you.  How about your favorite tchotchkes?  You need a space that you are happy to sit in, feel comfortable in, and that is YOURS.  If you're taking advantage of the portable office, you may be at the dinner table or coffee table.  During bill paying time, that space is YOURS and YOURS ONLY!  

Homework:

I want you to hop on Pinterest.  Create a board just for ideas for YOUR PERSONAL SPACE!  An Illustrated Discovery Journal of sorts [If you're not familiar with Sarah Ban Breathnach's books, an Illustrated Discovery Journal is a Visual Autobiography of your Authentic Self.  Pictures that speak to you, ideas, things you love.]  I want you to focus on things for your space.  For example:  Take this picture of an office space below...

photo credit

This wouldn't take much to create.  What do you love about it?  The desk?  Well that looks like a wall shelf!  Take shelf brackets & a shelf, mount it on the wall.  Voila!  How about the flowers?  That could easily be replicated with Dollar Tree items.  Find "office" spaces that you love & pin them!  Then use your creative side to recreate them!

I will do this homework with you!  Once you've created your board, post the link in a comment below.  Share your progress!  We are in this together!  Happy pinning!