The Book - SAVVY SPENDER: WHEN BUDGETS NO LONGER WORK

Current Information

"Savvy Spender - When Budgets No Longer Work" is the first book in a series to help people develop a happier relationship with the money in their lives. Personal finance books fall into three general categories: becoming a millionaire now, being rich when retired or spending frugally. Savvy Spender focuses on living comfortably today, handling your current income well and learning new techniques for spending, both as an individual and as a couple. The book outlines a 12 week program for changing attitudes, and developing a Savvy Spending Plan.

I am currently working on the book proposal for submission to an agent. The first draft of the book is done, and being rewritten to reflect the wonderful insights of the current participants of the initial Savvy Spender 6-week course.

I am also working on another book on Communication Skills with my sister. This is a book on how to be treated like a Queen (or King) where ever you go.

Challenges

Are you ready to take control of the money in your life? Check here for challenges to help you explore a new way of spending. These challenges are fun, doable, and will allow you to look at your relationship with money in a different way. Each chapter in "Savvy Spender" has one or more challenges to help you on your way to a better relationship with the money in your life. I will post a new challenge regularly, something fun and new for you to experiment with. Please post your results, thoughts, ideas and suggestions in the blog area. Anything that helps us understand our relationship with our spending patterns is welcome. Because everything you are experiencing, someone else out there has, or will be, and can use all the help you have to offer.

The Challenge for Winter 2008: Survive the Economic Downturn

The economic forecast took an abrupt 180 degree turn this fall, and the media is selling doom and gloom at an accelerating rate. Do most of us need to panic? That question will be answered in the months to come, but while we wait, let’s look at some measures to put into place today. Just in case.

The biggest concern for most of us will be credit card debt. With the banks feeling the pinch of over extended loans failing daily, increasing income from credit card interest will be a focus. The following steps will help prevent unnecessary credit card interest:

Step 1

Make sure you know the due date for payments on each and every credit card. Two late payments, even by a day, and your interest rate will jump. When making your payments on line, keep in mind that a payment made on a Sunday will not be processed until Monday. Payments made late in the day can be processed the following day, creating an artificial late payment.

Step 2

Review all automatic payments being processed on your card. Errors can be made; completed contracts can continue to hit your statement. Keep all your receipts and check against your statement before making payment.

Step 3

Think twice before adding anything to your balance. If possible, keep new purchases towards the end of the statement period to prevent interest accrual. Interest begins from the date of the purchase if you are carrying a balance, not on the date of the statement.

Step 4

Make it your goal for 2009 to eliminate credit card debt. Start the Christmas by giving useful gifts or gifts of your time. Focus on items that enhance the recipients’ life, not just another electronic toy that will create landfill within months.