The pandemic forever changed our lives. It changed the way millions of people make and spend money.

One of the biggest challenges many face today is the uncertainty of various debt forgiveness programs and moratoriums the federal government enacted.

Now that tax season is winding down, it is a good time to give yourself a credit check-up. Consumer credit is becoming more expensive. It is imperative that your credit reports are accurate.

How do you decide how your money will be spent? 

Do you have a plan or are all expenditures spontaneous?

Are you sometimes torn between spending money on things you really want versus things you need? 

Think about your spending and savings habits. Have they changed much since the pandemic started? Are you better off now than you were before the pandemic?

The 2022 holidays are behind us and if you’re like me – and everyone else I know – inflation has really kicked you in the backside and has you dreading the momentary arrival of the credit card bills. For millions of us, 2022 was a boom to bust year.

We’ve given you a few weeks to settle into 2022 and start working on your goals so that you will THRIVE in 2022 – not just survive. In this part, we’ll address Needs versus Wants as they relate to your goals.

Identification of Your Needs and Wants

           The next step in GOAL BASED BUDGETING is to write down a list of each need and want for each of your goals. Alternative ways of achieving each goal should also be written down. Your list of needs and wants should contain a description of how it contributes to the goals of the family. Other than that, no judgments should be made at this point.

It should be noted that self-interest motivates both buyers and sellers in a society based upon capitalism such as the United States. This self-interest, or selfishness, will become evident very quickly as each member of the family contributes to the lists. Using the family’s goals that have been agreed to as a benchmark for identifying needs and wants will help redirect individual selfishness towards the welfare of the family.

         There are four basic needs that people have in today’s society:

Creating Goals Is a “Wealthy” Habit (Refer back to part 1 for “Wealthy” vs. “Poor” habits.)

Goals are specific, measurable tasks or activities in which you, (individual/family), will engage. There is no limit to the number of goals you may or should set. There should be a combination of both long-term and short-term goals. Goals should address both needs and wants. Ideally, each goal will have two or three alternative ways of achieving it.

Plan now for a GREAT 2022

Create a Plan

It’s hard to thrive spontaneously. You need to plan how you are going to thrive. The steps to success are:

• Get Clear.
• Get Confident.
• Get Excited.
• Get Focused.
• Get Committed.
• Get a Game Plan.
• Check and Adjust with a mentor/coach

As you seek clarity, take an honest assessment of your habits. Those with rich habits will thrive. Those with poor habits will survive – just barely.

If you use an Apple device, you may have noticed you’re seeing fewer ads – and you may like seeing fewer ads. Most Apple users like Apple’s new privacy changes. However, if you’re one of the millions of people who have an online presence

Fuel prices are soaring to record highs amid natural gas, oil, and coal supply shortages which are expected to last through the winter. Home heating costs in the coming months are expected to be much higher than last year. In addition to wearing sweaters indoors, sealing leaky windows and doors, hanging heavier window coverings, replacing dirty heater filters, and making smarter decisions about energy usage, some people are considering becoming their own energy producers by installing small wind turbines and/or solar panels on their homes.