It’s time for monthly favorites again! Time flies so fast, we’re almost reaching the half of the year already. How’s your year going so far? If you ask me, my year is going as planned, for most days I’m doing something that contribute to the progress of my goals.

One of the keys in achieving your goal is being equipped with the right tools, such as apps, gears and gadgets that give you leverage.

For this month, I’d share with you some stuff that helps me keep in line with my financial goals. Let’s jump straight into it!

MONEY APP on iTunes

This is the app I’m using to monitor our finances and it’s close to being a legit accounting system. Trust me on this, I’m an accountant and Finance is totally my jam.

With this app, you can keep track of your spending, budget and bank balances. A few clicks and it can record your expenses, choose the bank account to use to pay the expenses and voila, your expenses are logged and your bank account balance is updated.

Also, you can set up a budget and it will monitor your expenses for you to keep you aligned with the budget you set.

Another good this about this is it’s not too technical so even if you have zero knowledge in personal finance, you can get the hang of it. An important reminder, however is to read the guide that comes with an app before using it. This will help you set up the app well and maximize all of its features. Heads up, it is a long guide, but bear with it you need it.

This app costs USD 1.99 but it’s totally worth it!

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey

If I can only recommend you one personal finance guidebook, it has to be this book. In this book, Dave Ramsey shared his 7 step proven plan to help you succeed in your personal financial journey, and I will say, it works!

If you’re new to personal finance, a fresh graduate or someone who’s in debt or bad financial condition, this book is perfect for you. However, if you are in pretty good shape in terms of finance and you’re looking for an investing guide, skip this book. Although it has some investing guide his approach is very conservative.  

One thing I want to point out, some of his advice is not the most financially sound advice. Case in point, his snow ball approached to paying debts, will make you pay more interests on loans. However, this approach will help you create momentum in finishing your loans and will likely make you stick to the plan of totally getting out of debt. So be open to his ideas and give it a go, practice what he teaches you.

GOAL SHEET

Without a blueprint, it’ll be chaotic to build something. Same thing goes with your goal. You need a blueprint to see it materializing, and for that, my goal sheet comes in handy.

Part of my morning routine is to check on my goal sheets and transfer the action items from my goal sheet to my To-do list. This way, I’m sure I tackle accomplishing my goals first, before I endure life’s daily chore.

Sometimes we focus on doing stuff without realizing weren’t accomplishing anything. We put priorities on chores like laundry, meetings or cleaning up and put the goal’s action items for later, until later never comes. 

Not that I’m saying doing the laundry isn’t important. But if your day only allows you to do one thing between doing laundry and going to the gym (an action item for your fitness goal), by all means, put away the laundry and hit the gym! Your laundry can wait, but your chance to lose a calorie so you meet your goals won’t.

My goal sheet keeps me focused and aligned with my goals. You can use it too, and its free to download here.

That’s about it! Have you tried using any of these things I’ve mentioned? Let know in the comments below. If you have other tips for personal finance, I’d love to hear from you as well.

Thank you very much and see you in the next post!

We live in a stressful, fast paced, always moving and virtually connected world. Everything is expected to come in an instant, and so is the demand in our works. With this kind of environment, how can we actually achieve work-life balance?

Every time I get busy with my work, I asked this question. I’ve been looking for the right formula to get it. However, I realized that to look for the balance is quite a pointless goal. There will be times that we will be required to work more, and there are times that we work less. Also, I realized that it is not the balance that we’re looking for; it’s about achieving stress- free life, a positive outlook and a happiness. Over the years, I found three things that helped me achieve this and I thought this might help you too. If you’re interested to know more about it, read on.

NOURISH YOUR WELL-BEING DAILY

Caring for yourself is not a once a year event. It is something we should do daily. When you are nourished inside and out, you don’t feel the need to take a time out, and you are fully engaged to whatever you need to do or accomplished.

Now you asked how to nourish your well-being? It’s as simple as giving yourself an hour or two to care for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual being. You can do this in the morning. Start your day with an exercise followed by a hearty breakfast. Then spend time to pray and read the Bible, and finally take a few minutes to reflect and write down your thoughts and feelings for the day. A routine like this, makes you mindful of your overall self and gives you a head start for the day ahead.

MIND YOUR OWN TIMETABLE

We all received unsolicited advice every now and then. People are trying to tell us to get married, find another job or take a sabbatical leave and a lot more. Giving too much attention to what people say, bring unnecessary pressure in our life which sometimes lead us to make decisions at the wrong time. I’m not saying we should totally not consider others advice; sometimes they’re helpful. But we know ourselves better, so make it a point that you mind your own timetable. Set your own goals and plan ahead.

One time, I came across a blog post about a woman who retires at the age of 30. She started planning about it when she was in College and started saving for her retirement fund back then. She devoted 10 years saving for the retirement fund and she did it! I was so inspired, I tell myself I can do that do, I can retire in 10 years’ time! I do the math and all the nerdy things and came up with a plan…an extreme one. Then I realized I’m a mother and by then, my son is not even in College, how can I even retire? How crazy my mind can go sometimes!

When I came to my senses, I realized how following others time table can create unnecessary stress in our lives. After this, I shared this to my husband, we sit down to discuss and create our own timetable for retirement.

GIVE YOUR BEST

As I’ve mentioned earlier, there will be a season that we need to work harder and a season of rest. What’s important is, whatever season you’re in now, just do your best! Give all you’ve got with no hesitation. Life is a one way journey; take it one day at a time, making the most of every time.

Don’t let your potential go to waste. Don’t let people make you feel guilty for working long and working hard. You owe it to yourself to bring out the best in you. In the same way, don’t let people make you feel guilty for taking time to rest. You deserve to enjoy what life has to offer. Simply aim for the best version of you every single day.

I hope with these tips, you get excited with work and life once again. Remember, you have that power to direct your life in the way that it should go. That power is the power to decide. Use it now and live the life you’ve always wanted.  

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