Summer Break is Ending

Perhaps the best part of summer is the fact that a variety of projects can be completed and the temporary improvement in weather gives us permission to take a break from the routines established in the fall, winter, and spring. At least that’s the excuse I use living in the Pacific Northwest when summer time hits. Unfortunately, not all routines should be tossed to the back of our (or maybe just mine) minds so quickly. It’s the reasoning that says because it’s summer and “I’ll be playing softball once a week for two hours”, I can quit the workout regime, I mean routine, at the gym. Or it’s the thought that just because the temperature has increased and the grill is fired up more often, I should eat steak dinners every night (grilling at home is economical after all!).

Ah yes, summer break can take its toll on many a budgets and leave us dazed and confused when we returned to reality in September. So do yourself a favor and awaken from the heat induced slumber that has lulled you away from the healthy budget you had in the spring. Get back to work on making your financial plan work and set yourself up for a strong finish to the year financially speaking. Remember, a good financial plan requires routine commitment. This is one area we can’t take a break from regardless of the season!

The Financial Accountability Challenge

Accountability is one of the largest keys to success for any plan or endeavor we choose to pursue. Accountability encourages us to reach our goals and kicks us in the butt when we drag our feet. Financially speaking, it is imperative that we have accountability in our life. It’s that second (or third or fourth) set of eyes looking over our spending, savings, and our financial goals to help us reach them in time to benefit from them. Considering the average person spends more than 40 hours each week earning their income, doesn’t it just make sense to have a little help each month to ensure our hard work is worth it in the end? I believe it is and that’s why I’m presenting the FA Challenge (Financial Accountability Challenge) to you. Here’s what the FA Challenge is all about:

The Goal: Get traction and run! Getting financially healthy and achieving our financial goals takes persistence and time, so the sooner we get moving the sooner we achieve those goals. Most people need a little (or not so little) kick start before they get moving, and hopefully the FA Challenge will be just that.

Real Accountability: Your financial goals and/or monthly budget will be posted in a public forum (this blog) for myself and others to see. Once posted, I’ll be able to encourage you along in the process, offer suggestions that could help you reach your goals faster, and act as a third party accountability partner. It will also offer you the ability to open up and be ”real” in front of other people trying to do the same thing you are: get/stay financially healthy and reach your goals! You can make others part of you journey and we can all celebrate with you as you reach each of your goals.

It’s Very Tough: Being brutally honest can be tough….very tough! Especially when we’re in the middle of the fight to reach our goals. Saying that we haven’t been great with money management or admitting we need help can be a difficult pill to swallow (pride typically is!), but it’s a necessary part of the process that can’t be skipped if we are serious about improving our position. So each month I want to see an update on how you’re doing during the process. I’m sure some people will be updating on a weekly basis.

There’s no cost to join and there have already been a few submital’s so you’ll see at least one couples story, budget, and goals within a few days. Those of you who are interested in taking the FA Challenge and adding your name to the group here’s what you need to do:

Submit a comment to this post including your first name (not last), brief reason for wanting to join the FA Challenge, basic budget, and what your financial goal is (become debt free, save for a car, purchase first house, etc.). All comments and posts that are part of the FA Challenge will be moderated prior to posting for privacy purposes. You can mimic the first couples post if desired when submitting your post to help you stay organized. Send me a note if you have any questions.