Month: January 2019

Wants vs. Needs

Wants vs. Needs

Tenacious Jenny JiménezLeave a comment

By Jenny Jiménez on January 21, 2019

Happy MLKJ Monday!  If you were off work today then all I have to say is… I’m jealous. ha!  Last week was definitely a crazy week.  I had so much going on at work at had to finish some painting in my son’s room and building his new bed so after two days of body aches (I’m so out of shape, lol) I had little time to sit down and write my blog.  I wanted this one so be a good one so here goes.  

Before I get into it, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog below and to the right so you’ll be the first to know when I post!  AND follow me on Instagram and Facebook.  Don’t procrastinate, go ahead, do it now and get it out of the way 😉

Okay now let’s get to it.  With the new year in full gear and Christmas behind us and tax season on it’s way, this felt like the perfect time to touch on Wants vs. Needs.  For so many people, Christmas was about wants.  I know so many people that focus on the amount of gifts under the tree as opposed to the real need of those gifts under the tree.  Quite frankly, were they necessary?  As people file for taxes soon and are probably still getting over the debt of Christmas keep the following in mind.

Things to consider when making a purchase:

1. IS IT NECESSARY?  Do you really need this purchase or are you just tempted because of how it’s being displayed at the store or online?  Does someone you know have it and perhaps you are just trying to keep up with the Joneses?  Trying to keep up appearances is tough and stressful.  This certainly is not a good reason to buy something.  Stay strong and keep moving.  If you don’t need it then let it stay at the store.

2. CAN IT WAIT?  As time goes by, even a week or so, will you still feel you need this item.  Is it worth you making the purchase now?  If you can wait a few days minimum for this item and will still want it then maybe, just maybe it’s okay to consider purchasing.  Usually a little time will help us to be in a stable, better state of mind.  More rational and realistic about what it is that we want to buy.

3. HOW WILL IT IMPROVE YOUR LIFE?  It’s very rare for purchased items to impact our lives.  Unless of course it is a need, like a microwave or refrigerator (assuming your current one is broken).  If you could only see my raised eyebrow. LOL  These types of purchases generally require a bit of planning because they are usually pretty pricey.  Please don’t go out and buy a large ticket item without doing your homework first, that is a HUGE NO NO!

4. CAN YOU AFFORD IT?  It’s not worth going into debt, let alone for something you do not need.  Often when we make impulsive buys it’s not something we really needed.  It is most likely a wasteful purchase.  This will be the item that stays in the box.  That ‘thing’ that five years later you come across while cleaning your basement or garage and say  Wow I completely forgot I even had this.  If you’re not going to use it right away, then chances are you do not need it.  Keep your money in the bank!

5. WILL YOU REGRET THE PURCHASE OVER TIME?  I’m guilty of this one here.  I cannot tell you how many times, especially clothes or handbags, I’ve purchased over the years only to end up giving them away or donating because I had no real use for it.  I’m pretty good now and rarely make impulse buys.  My wallet is glued to me. At this stage in life you’d need the jaws of life to pry it away.  Avoid the guilt and just don’t buy.  We work so hard for our money to just throw it away on these pointless items.

 

Remember make smarter purchases –  your future self will thank you for it.

 

I really hope you will consider these five things when making purchases this year.    Financial Wellness is something that everyone needs and once they learn how to handle their money, many of the stresses (at least related to money) will stop being a concern.

Lets make 2019 the year you get your accounts in order!

If you receive an income tax refund this year, remember to be mindful of your spending.  Don’t blow it off right away.  We’re just in the beginning of the year and when you’re broke, the year can feel a lot longer than 365 days.  Take it from someone who knows what that has felt like before.

 

Stay tuned to future blog posts by subscribing to my blog below and to the right so you’ll be the first to know when I post!

If you would like to recommend a specific topic for a future post or just have comments, feel free to reach out to me.  

Check out last week’s post on goal setting and take advantage of my free printout to help keep you on track. 

 

Hold on to that money!  See you next week 🙂

Jenny

 

The post Wants vs. Needs appeared first on Tenacious Jenny Jiménez.

2019 – New Year, Realistic Goals

2019 – New Year, Realistic Goals

Tenacious Jenny JiménezLeave a comment

By Jenny Jiménez on January 7, 2019

Happy New Year Ladies!  I’m excited for the new year and hope you are too.  I took two weeks off blogging to spend time with my children.  As a single mom who works full-time I spend 60 hours a week devoted to work.  That includes my long commutes each day. Family has always been a priority for me and part of setting goals is knowing how to prioritize properly.  Before I get started, don’t you think this is the cutest family picture?  I do, but I guess you could say I’m bias. LOL 😉 #ProudMama

Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog below and to the right before you go so you’ll be the first to know when I post!  AND follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

fam xmas 2019

 

Each new year brings goal setting and resolutions to most people.  While setting goals is excellent, it should not be reserved until one time each year.  People who are successful in life set goals frequently throughout the year and stick to them.  They don’t need a specific date to do this.  To help you stay on track, not just in January but throughout all of 2019, I’ve put together the list to get you started.  

5 TIPS TO SETTING REALISTIC GOALS FOR 2019:

1. DON’T WAIT TO START A GOAL.  Today is as good as any other day to get started.  Why wait.  Motivated people don’t wait for a specific date.  Don’t say I’ll start tomorrow, or next Monday, or even next month.  Instead, take that leap and start today.

“Don’t wait.  The time will never be just right.”  – Napolean Hill

2. BE REALISTIC WITH YOUR GOALS.  Is it actually something you can achieve or have you set yourself up for failure before you even get started?  Consider that when thinking about your goals.  Don’t try and set goals that are not possible for you to complete without some sort of divine intervention.  Remember, the ultimate goal here is success.

3. SET DEADLINES.  Hold yourself accountable by assigning dates.  Deadlines help keep us focused.  You are less likely to keep avoiding something if you know the dateline is approaching quickly. Again be realistic when setting a deadline.  Don’t create this large goal and think you are going to accomplish it in a few weeks, or even a month.  

4. START SMALL THEN WORK YOUR WAY UP.  Don’t say to yourself, ‘I’m going to lose 50 pounds in a month’.  That is unrealistic for anyone.  Start small.  Like a car, you don’t just start at 100 mph, no the car needs to work it’s way up.  You should start by saying, I’m want to lose 5 pounds in this amount of weeks.  Then depending on how that works out you can make adjustments and say, okay that went well so I would like to lose 7 pounds in this many weeks or months.  

5. REVIEW AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.  Good goals (like budget)setting requires you to review your goals and make adjustments as necessary.  We all know that things pop up and cause interruptions but do not let this discourage you.  Simply make some changes and stay focused on your goals.  Great things require work.  You’ll have to put work to accomplish your goals however following these tips, I’m sure you’ll come out successful on the other end. 

 

This what I use for my monthly goal setting.

goals image

 

To help keep you on track, I’ve put together these FREE PRINTOUT to get you started.  Do one month at a time, then at the end of the month, as you review and adjust, write out your goals for the following month.

 

Stay tuned to future blog posts by subscribing to my blog below and to the right so you’ll be the first to know when I post!

If you would like to recommend a specific topic for a future post or just have comments, feel free to reach out to me.  

 

Happy Goal Setting!  See you next week 🙂

Jenny

 

The post 2019 – New Year, Realistic Goals appeared first on Tenacious Jenny Jiménez.