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Month: March 2023

It’s Time for Spring Cleaning

Posted on by M Miller

The clocks have been adjusted ahead one hour and we now have more daylight.  This for me has always served as a reminder that spring is right around the corner.  It is the one time of year that you can feel energy in the atmosphere as everything that was dead is now giving way to life. It is the process of rebirth.  I find this time of year very exciting. Spring cleaning is the focus of this blog post.

Make Your List

With that being said, it is now time to get some spring cleaning done!   Where do we begin, you may ask, well like everything, we take note of what needs to be done.  We then break it down into manageable tasks and start to plan out how to tackle it.  If you are not sure how and when to start- then this blog post is written just for you (lol).

Organize What Needs to Be Done for Your Spring Cleaning

     The first thing that you should do is begin to organize where you want to clean and how much you intend to get done.  If you are up to date on keeping your home clean, your spring cleaning may be different from someone who has neglected to do the necessary cleaning on a regular basis.  In this case the task will be different, more involved and time consuming.

     After you have assessed what areas of your home you would like to focus on, you then need to take inventory of the cleaning supplies you will need.  If you have great, if not you may need to head out to the store and shop for your supplies.  There are so many now that are non-toxic and get the job done while leaving your place looking and smelling fresh.

Breaking Down Your Spring-Cleaning Tasks

     You now know which areas you will focus your energy into cleaning.  You also have your cleaning supplies. Now you are ready to schedule your time for cleaning.  This can be done by breaking down each area into manageable bits of time so that you are not exhausted. This will allow you to be able to give it your best.  This is not a solo task, enlist your troops (kids, spouse, etc.)

     The list below serves as a suggestion of areas to target for your spring cleaning.

Sliding glass doors and windows

Wipe and polish baseboards and cabinets.

Dust ceiling fan and light fixtures

Change or clean blinds.

Remove all unnecessary clutter.

Donate clothes that you no longer use.

     You have carefully made your list, gotten your supplies together and have the areas that you choose to focus on for your spring cleaning.  The next step is to plan out your cleaning schedule so that you are still able to meet your many other daily tasks.  If you have done this well, then you will find that you have allotted for cleaning over a period of time, and it did not overwhelm you or tire you out.  The goal is to stay on top of cleaning most of the year so that seasonal cleaning is not a dreaded burden.

Adding Final Touches to your Spring Cleaning

     Once you are done with the overall spring cleaning and your home is feeling like spring, you can then add those final touches.  This can include updating throw pillows in the living room/family room.  Another special touch would be to update your bedroom comforter sets and then adding a touch of greenery to your indoor space is always a welcome addition.  There are so many assortments of plants that you can add to your home.

     Spring cleaning can serve as a symbolic way to welcome in a new season.  One of new growth and anticipation.  As you approach this new season, you may find my blog post Navigating Transitions with Ease quite useful. So, enjoy cleaning out your space and breathing in a more organized fresh surrounding.  Until next week my readers……

 Continue to Live Your Dreams out Loud

Fundamentals of Budgeting 101

Posted on by M Miller

     We have actually reached the first quarter of the year (whew that flew by).  Hopefully everyone’s year is off to a good start.  It is always a good idea to do a financial check in.  This check in serves to make sure that you are sticking to your budget.  If you don’t have one, then you have come to the right place.  The focus of this blog post is to outline some basic budgeting essentials.  

     The first thing you will need to do is decide what method you will use to organize and track your finances.  This can be a workbook, an excel spreadsheet or even a simple notebook.  There are many choices available.  Choose whatever method works for you and is easy to stay committed to.  

Entrepreneurs

     For those who are Entrepreneurs you will need to make sure to separate business from personal expenses.  If you are not really good with spreadsheets, then you may want to invest in software such as QuickBooks. Taking this extra step would allow you to run your business more efficiently and not have to scramble at the end of the year to get everything together for tax purposes.  

      Once you have chosen your tracking tool you then need to set up a realistic budget.  This budget should take into account your total expenses and income.  It is always very important to save.  I can not overestimate the importance of allowing for saving in your budget.  All too many times people reward themselves by spending more and this overindulgence leads to that dreaded word,  Yes you guessed it DEBT.  We are not trying to do that.  The less you owe the freer you are to enjoy your life.

     We now have our tracking system in place.  We’ve accounted for our expenses and income and also set aside an amount for savings.  This is a great start for those who are new to budgeting.  This process can also be used for Entrepreneurs.  Again, make sure to keep personal funds separate from business funds.  If you have not already done so, you should have a business bank account to deposit and release funds from.  The more organized you are the better it is when it comes to staying on track with your budget. 

Money Management

     We will revisit the topic of money management throughout the year to see how well you are doing with your budget.  Just like the goal setting How to Set Personal Goals How to Make Business Goals that we did earlier this year, it is not perfect.  There will be times that you have splurged too much or forget to account for an entry in your tracking tool.  Move forward anyway and keep working the system that you put in place.

     The goal of any budget is not to punish you but to discipline you to be more successful at managing your money.  We all know people who have great jobs but have nothing to show for it because they spend, spend…and spend.  We also know people who know how to make a dollar stretch and live on less.  This is not a coincidence.  It takes practice, determination and discipline.

Recap

      So, check in on your finances.  See if you are sticking to your budget.  If yes, great.  If not, then what is stopping you from making some changes.  If you are new to budgeting, welcome and get ready.  Once you are able to see your plan come together and the role that managing your finances plays in enjoying your life and also eliminating stress you will understand that effective money management is essential to a well-balanced life. 

      The fundamentals of budgeting in your personal and business serve as your gateway to greater success and enjoyment in your life.  Until next week my readers……Continue to live your dreams out loud