Almost everyone has a financial goal in mind. It can be traveling, freeing themselves from debt, preparing for a new baby, saving for a down payment on a house, purchasing a new vehicle, the latest iPhone, or a pair of Christian Louboutins that they’ve been coveting for awhile; planning for their retirement, saving for their child’s higher education, creating a fund for a rainy day, or all of the above.
There are some people that may feel compelled that they have to set a large amount of money aside and/or set up a certain time-frame in order to obtain their financial goal(s). This often leads to falling short since this usually causes other financial fiascoes in our lives. The best and most surefire way to avoid these type of financial situations is creating a budget plan, tracking expenses or talking to a financial adviser. These steps are small, yet can lead to significant changes and a better, brighter financial future!
Small Changes = Big Results
⦾ My mother taught me the value of a dollar when I was a child. That is why I firmly believe that it is never too early to educate your children the value of a dollar, as it can help learn how to budget and avoid financial pitfalls. Understanding the importance of the value of a dollar can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run!
It’s not that a universal secret that I have a love for traveling. A pair of Christian Louboutins may be splurge-worthy to someone one else, but I have a different perspective since I know that a pair of shoes isn’t meant to last forever. For me, traveling creates memories that can be cherished for a lifetime. I personally want to travel until the wheels of my suitcase fall off! One of my favorite ways of stretching out my money for my passion is taking “advantage” of hotel rewards programs.
⦾ One of the first small steps is identifying your financial goals. You can’t achieve your goals if you don’t have an understanding of what your goals are.
⦾ Determine your most valuable asset, whether it is your home, business, or your ability to work. Take your income into consideration and it affects your overall well-being and financial future.
⦾ It always helps to have a lending ear when it comes to our finances, even more importantly, if that lending ear is knowledgeable about finances. That lending ear can be a parent, sibling, friend, neighbor, or even a financial professional. There are several different types of financial professionals.
⦾ If you’re caught in a whirlwind of the hustle and bustle of life, finances may be the least thing that crosses your mind. To obtain or even surpass your financial goal(s), getting organized is key. You can get organized with your finances by creating a budget plan and tracking your daily expenses, which you can easily do with a budget tracker that can help your financial goals into results.
My favorite budget tracker is EveryDollar. What exactly is EveryDollar and how can your financial goals turn into results by using it? Well, it’s a free app (available on iOS, Android, and online) that simplifies budgeting. You can create your first budget within 10 minutes! You can also manage your finances and track your spending anywhere and anytime, whether it’s from your phone or computer. Long gone are the days of pen, paper, and complicated spreadsheets! With an EveryDollar budget, you can live more and worry less.
Please note that these are screenshots are just an example on how you can use the app. I may be open to sharing different aspects of my life, but my income is not one of them!
While the EverDollar app is completely free, there is also a premium version of it: EveryDollar Plus. With EveryDollar Plus, you can connect to your bank for speedier expense tracking, created unlimited budgets, receive call-back support and coaching calls, and view account balances within EveryDollar.
A goal is definitely needed when coming up with a way to save money. Love that thanks to technology there is a great app like EveryDollar that can make that goal even easier. Thanks for sharing
I love how this app really organizes your finances and makes a visual with it. Helps to see what is going on with my money! I’m just saving … in general. Not for anything in particular. I want to NOT have a massive pile of debt!
karen recently posted..The Best Anti-Aging Skin Care Product
This is really helpful! I haven’t heard of EveryDollar before but I really want something like this where I can see my goals. I might give it a try 🙂 thanks!
Courteney Noonan recently posted..5 Tips for Finding an Internship
Slow and steady does make a difference. I have never heard of Every Dollar so I will take a look at it.
EveryDollar looks brilliant, especially as I am looking at new ways to save money and I do need serious help in that department. Thank you!
Ana De- Jesus recently posted..Faded Spring Goes Speed Dating
What a great post. I agree that every dollar counts. As beautiful as I think those shoes are, I couldn’t justify the cost either… mainly because I would break my neck walking in them
Jessi recently posted..First Aid Kit for Kids
I could really be better about budgeting! Sounds like this is a great app that can make that goal easier!
CoCo recently posted..Gift Ideas – Jord Wood Watches
You are totally right about starting small. It’s really overwhelming to do anything if your goal seems unattainable. Just saving a bit at a time can really add up. And it’s so important to teach kids about money!!!
Wow! I love your post! I definitely downloaded Every Dollar app on my phone and will get my hubby and daughter to do it too! Anything helps to keep the budget in check!
What a great idea in an app. I am going to recommend it to my friend whose new adult daughter needs help learning about finances in life.
Janel Berchielli recently posted..Finally a bread that makes an awesome grilled cheese
I definitely need to check this out! One of my goals this year is to get our finances in track and set in place a budget! This will help us understand where our money is going! Looking to making this goal a reality!
I definitely need to download this app! It sounds like it would be great at helping me stick to my financial goals!
Financial goals…ahh, I always seem to set them (great ones!), but then they fall by the wayside quickly. I should check out some of these apps.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh recently posted..Valentine’s Mimosas
Oh I am with you 100% on the travel vs shoes. I’d much rather have an amazing vacation than “stuff” anyday!
Di recently posted..Review: Trader Joe’s Meatless Meatballs
I need to try that EveryDollar budget app! I’ve been meaning to start budgeting but am HORRIBLE at it. Maybe a good app will help!
This is a great post. It starts with identifying the goal and making small steps towards it. I couldn’t agree more. That app is the perfect tool to work alongside you.
Krystel @ Planning The Magic recently posted..How to Save Money for a Disney World Vacation
I’m just starting to get my financial earnings from my blog in order. These are great tips…& I think these apps are going to be a big help. Thanks for sharing
I love your tip about teaching kids the value of a dollar! We started giving our kids an allowance recently just for this reason. We have them save some, give some to charity, and then they can use some to buy things they want. It’s really been educational for them 🙂
Amie recently posted..Should I Start A Blog? 3 Reasons You Absolutely Should
I totally agree – it is so important to teach your children the value of a dollar. The world can really throw you for a loop if you haven’t learned that by adulthood.
I had a trial of EveryDollar for a while. It’s a great tool to those new to personal finance.
What a cool app! We are in the process of trying to buy a house so I totally get the need for a strict budget!
Tabitha Shakespeare recently posted..Top 5 Denim Jackets Under $100
My husband loves this app! We are polar opposites in keeping track of money – I need to write it on paper with a pencil, but we use this app to keep things updated on both our ends. Such a good resource!
Heather recently posted..The Skill of Slow Living – How to Make it Work
Sounds like a fab app, with another little one on the way, I definitely need to stick to my financial goals this year because I failed badly last year haha!
Charlotte recently posted..Cost-Effective Furniture Alternatives for Kids
I just recently started using an app similar to this. It has helped tremendously to see where my money is going.
Keeping track of spending and making even that small change can make the biggest difference. I know that I spend way too much on coffee!
I have heard of this app and I have been seriously considering using it. I could really use something to help me come up with a budget. This would be a great app for just that.
Since becoming a recent stay at home mom we started to budget. This would definitely come in handy.
Jalisa Harris recently posted..The Best All Natural Mom Friendly Wipes
These budget and savings trackers are great! Having a tangible goal that you can visually see be achieved is a great way to stay on track!
I’m with you, I prefer to spend money on memories vs things. 🙂 I haven’t heard of the EveryDay app but I’ll check it out.
I am really eager to download this app and play around with it. I could really use some motivation and results from saving! Thank you!
As we look to sell our house and move on to a bigger one, we need to get going on a budget! Thanks for sharing!
Kristin recently posted..Favorite Rider Jacket for Spring
This is so good. I love all the advice you share. My husband and I just paid off a ton of debt this year. We were underwater in medical bills and made some life changes in order to pay them all off.
Brittany recently posted..Unusual Things I’ve Discovered About My Family While Moving
I agree with you — I’d rather spend my money on travel (and a lifetime of memories) then on buying things that won’t last. I’ve heard of the EveryDollar app — I love that you included screen shots. I am going to download it!
Jennifer (JenuineMom) recently posted..DIY Dry Erase Board — So Simple & Cute!
THis is great! I agree, if you want a lifestyle of travel, then you need to cut out buying “things.” Keeping track of where your money goes is so important!
I just have to try this app. It sounds like it would be really helpful for me and understanding where money disappears to.
Rachel Catherine recently posted..Pressure Cooker Cheesecake With Chocolate & Caramel Topping
Budget tracking can really help you see where your money goes each month and where you can cut back. I think if you put travel or savings into your budget, you will have a much easier time ensuring you are allocating funds for it.
Ooooo now this sounds like one helpful app!!! I will have to look into it for my self!
I don’t think you are too young to learn how to value the dollar. Great post!
As a military wife who could barely handle her busy schedule I am truly glad I came across your post. I do believe that it’s not about how much you make for a living, but it’s how you plan your budget and save more. EveryDollar sounds really incredible and I will definitely check them out!
Angela Ricardo recently posted..A Guide to Wearing An Oversized Flannel
What am I saving towards? Well, that is a good question. Our sons are headed to college soon, so I am saving for that. But, I guess I also want to start traveling more with my husband, so I guess you could say that I am saving towards a travel budget.
Jennifer recently posted..Create An #OreoDunkChallenge To Help With A Difficult Decision