I have noticed that when a person is upset or down(depressed)they tend to spend more then what they would if they weren't. Strange as it may seem some of us dont even notice this pattern. It could be related to chemical imbalances as well as just plain and simple lack of control and self discipline. Cortisol,Serotonin and Dopamine play a huge part in this matter, It's the same as drug addicts needing that one last hit. I've found that when you start weeding out the negative influences in your life, start loving yourself, alot of these bad habits tend to start to fade. Replacing negative people with positive people as well as negitive habits into positive habits, doing this overtakes the whole Dopamine factor raises your Serotonin levels naturally you come to a peace within yourself and from that moment on we might as well say you will never hit reverse or tolerate certain "things" in your life EVER AGAIN! Remember to always surround yourself with only the most positive influential "things"(meaning people or possessions)! As always God is good!

Me and my hubby started using a portfolio for managing our finances about 5 years ago and boy was it one of the best decisions we have ever decided to make! I jot down what our monthly expenses are for the next month proir to the current months end, then we go along and cross out every expenses as we pay it we always update it every week depending on our expenses if we had anything unexpected come up. Its trully been a life saver when it comes to finances and sticking to a healthy budget!(THE SMALLER OF A LIST YOU HAVE THE BETTER!) First things first as follows:

1)RENT OR MORGAGE AMOUNT $$$$
2)CAR NOTE AMOUNT $$$$
3)CAR INSURANCE AMOUNT $$$$
4)NICOR GAS AMOUNT $$$$
5)COMED AMOUNT $$$$
6)WATER BILL AMOUNT $$$$
7)CELLPHONE AMOUNT $$$$
8)ANY CHILDCARE/SCHOOL RELATED EXPENSES AMOUNT $$$$
9)ALL CREDIT CARDS SHOULD BE LISTED LASTLY ONE BY ONE AS WELL.(AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST)
THE BEST BIT OF ADVICE REGARDING MANAGING OUR PORTFOLIO/FINANCES WE HAVE EVER RECEIVED WAS TO USE OUR END OF THE MONTH PAYCHECK TO COVER THE RENT/MORGAGE THEN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH CHECK TO COVER ALL OTHER EXPENSES! THAT HELPED US DEVELOPE THIS SYSTEM THATS BEEN WORKABLE AND EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL EVER SINCE!(ALL YOU NEED IS A GOOD PORTFOLIO AND LEGAL SIZE PADS, A CALCULATOR AND YOUR GOOD TO GO!)

ANYTHING EXTRA/UNEXPECTED NEEDS TO BE LISTED SEPARATELY ON THE SECOND HALF OF THE LIST DUE TO THE FACT THAT ITS NOT A FIXED EXPENSE.(REMEMBER LADIES BUYING A PURSE AT THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT IS NOT CONSIDERED UNEXPECTED IF YOU HAVE ONE THAT WORKS JUST FINE!LOL!!) FIXED EXPENSES ALWAYS COME FIRST THEN EVERYTHING ELSE. DONT FORGET TO CROSS THEM OFF AS YOU PAY THEM! YOU CAN ALSO LIST YOUR SAVINGS AS WELL BUT WE CHOOSE TO KEEP OUR SAVINGS SEPARATE FROM OUR EXPENSES ITS EASIER FOR US THAT WAY. HAPPY BUDGETING! BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY HAPPY LIVING! GOD BLESS!

I have to admit I am a huge fan of coupons but there is a right way and wrong way to using them, as follows: The right way is always remaining respectful and kind to the store employees! Having patience because thats the same way you would want to be treated. The wrong way is yelling and having a tantrum(by the way is for terrible twos) because they are out of stock or you have to get a rain check now due to the fact that the store employee intentionally purposefully allowed another tax paying consumer to come in and clean the shelf not thinking about anyone else!Now thats usually not the case but sometimes it happens, it's called life, it's not fair it's not suppose to be, didn't your mother teach you that? You will never catch me in a wrestling match over using coupons or arguing with another consumer because they just took the last item thats on sale and I have a coupon for that item that I just realized expires today(In that case I will get a raincheck!) Thats too petty. Life's too short should'nt you be at home cleaning anyways? Or possibly practicing yoga? Remember your manners people! Always treat someone with the same respect you would want them to treat you with. Enough said.

Well well, let me first start out by saying I love coupons! I have always used coupons ever since I can remember. I am NOT again I am NOT by any means an EXTREME couponer. I always save at least 40-60% off every entire order at all costs. But I am not extreme with it!Which means you will NEVER find me fighting or yelling at store employees because they don't have any items left or in combat over the last few items on a shelf! Get a life It's not that serious people!I will get a raincheck and return once the storm has subsided! Saving is my part-time job, NOT fulltime as I have 2 kids and a husband so I dont have several hours a day to dedicate to couponing(I am not that compulsive), I only purchase whats on sale and combine that sale with a coupon. Always. I wont make a purchase if an item isn't on sale or if that item is NOT NEEDED(unless its free). It's against my own coupon policy!LOL!!!!

The purpose of any credit card to me is simply conveniance! The conveniance to use it as needed then PAY THE ENTIRE BALANCE BY THE DUE DATE! NOT AFTER!!! Interest rates only apply If you FAIL to pay your entire balance in full by the due date. I have 4 credit cards and never pay a dime in interest!EVER!If you have to carry over a balance make sure its less then 10% off the limit and certainly make sure that the card has low interest rates! Happy credit carding! God bless!

After digging our way out of debt me and my hubby decided we were not going to purchase paper towels anymore as well as windex and multipurpose cleaner we decided to go cold turkey! Boy did we make one of the best decisions we could have ever made! I now make all cleaners by hand(natural) with vineger and baking soda and we have saved literally hundreds maybe more of dollars! Its very easy to do a gradeschooler can mix these items up! Very easy tips for saving money! God bless!