TIP TUESDAY

HACKS FOR TENANTS/RENTERS

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Property-Management-Rent
People have different reasons for renting. Perhaps they have “graduated” from apartment living and want to get a sense of what they may expect from living in a home before they decide to buy. Perhaps, divorce, foreclosure or some other unforeseen circumstance is the reason behind renting or maybe, just maybe, a person simply has no desire to own a home because they don’t want the responsibility that comes along with home ownership. The list could go on and on.
Having over 10+ years of experience being a Landlord of my own properties and in Property Management, I’ve seen and heard it all. I always watched and paid close attention. This is how I learned. For all practical purposes, my focus in this blog is primarily for “home renters” although these basic tips/principles can be applied to renting an apartment as well. These hacks should prove helpful when renting:
  1. ALL RENT IS NEGOTIABLE: Just because the ad in the newspaper states rent is $1000 doesn’t necessarily mean that amount is firm. How motivated the Landlord/Property Manager/Owner is to lease the property MAY affect your ability to negotiate. NEVER LOWBALL. That’s the fastest way to have your application rejected because you won’t be taken seriously. Suggest an amount that is reasonable and fair, but be prepared to walk away if your counter is rejected.
  2. TAKE INVENTORY OF THE PROPERTY: Upon signing a lease, I give all tenants a checklist similar to what one would receive if renting an apartment. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Torn and/or loose carpet, cracked windows, carpet stains, anything other than normal wear and tear that could possibly be used by the Landlord/Property Manager to justify keeping a portion of your security deposit should be well-documented. Videotape your walk-through and take photographs to document the condition of the property prior to moving in. NOTE: Upon vacating the property/returning any keys, remotes etc., schedule a walk-through with the Landlord/Property Manager. One hanger left in a closet or cleaning supplies left under a cabinet can be considered “trash out” which could result in a deduction from your security deposit. 
  3. UNDERSTAND WHAT A SECURITY DEPOSIT REALLY IS: A security deposit is usually equivalent to one month’s rent and it serves TWO purposes: 1) It covers the rent should the tenant decide to “skip out” on paying and 2) It covers any damages (other than normal wear and tear) the tenant may be responsible for. This is why it is necessary to schedule a walkthrough upon vacating the property. Holes in the wall/sheetrock, broken handles/fixtures ruined carpet and infestation are a few examples of deductions that could be taken from your deposit.
  4. DOCUMENT ALL REPAIR/WORK REQUESTS THOROUGHLY: This is for your protection. Did you know a tenant has the right to break a lease for “Landlord breach of contract?” In Texas, a tenant can. For example, if a tenant’s A/C conks out in the middle of the sweltering summer, the tenant made their first and second requests via phone call/text message (with no or slow response,) it has been longer than seven business days and the Landlord/Property Manager is taking longer than what is considered to be a “reasonable amount of time” to make the repair, send him/her a Certified Letter (Returned Receipt Requested of course) stating they have seven business days from receipt of the letter to make the repair. If the repair is not completed on or before the specified time, the tenant has the right to vacate the property and is entitled to ALL security deposits/pro-rated rent paid. NOTE: Rent cannot be withheld while repairs are being made. You are still responsible for paying the rent on time.
  5. BEWARE OF “RENT SCAMMERS” Always request to meet AT THE PROPERTY, not the local Starbucks or nearby cafe. If a Landlord/Property Manager refuses to meet you at the property especially for the initial viewing, an alarm should go off. Request proof of ownership. Explain this is for your protection. Any Landlord/Property Manager worth his salt would welcome the request. I do. This establishes trust between the Tenant and Landlord/Property Manager. If he/she gets angry and/or refuses to honor your request, (even if everything is legitimate,) that’s a sign to move on to the next property.
  6. RED FLAGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN VIEWING A PROPERTY: 1) The outer perimeter of the property is unkempt. If there’s trash in the yard and/or the lawn isn’t manicured (and by manicured I mean cut, edged, shrubs pruned) there may be very little hope to expect any better inside. Curb appeal is everything. 2) The utilities are disconnected. I don’t know about you, but I flip every switch, turn every knob open every door and push every button to make sure everything is  working when “previewing” a property for a client. At the very least, the electricity should be connected. 3) An unkempt interior, signs of possible infestation, foul odors, torn, worn or dirty carpets/walls, holes in the walls, chipping paint, unclean appliances or appliances that don’t work, and bathrooms that aren’t clean are just a few items that should set off red flags. A lot of these are “no brainers.” Beware of the Landlord/Property Manager who makes a promise to repair/replace items and/or paint and replace carpet prior to a tenant moving in. DO NOT give him/her your security deposit let alone sign a lease until the repairs/upgrades have been made, you have viewed the property a second and possibly a third time and are satisfied with the property’s current condition.
  7. NOT ONLY SHOULD YOU ASK QUESTIONS, ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS: When is rent due? Is there a grace period? What about late fees? Is the property’s mortgage CURRENT? Is the property currently in foreclosure/pre-foreclosure? NOTE: You have the right to ask this question. There have been so many cases where tenants become displaced because the property owner continued collecting rent knowing foreclosure procedures have, had or are about to commence. Is the property pet-friendly? Is there a weight limit for my pet? Is a pet deposit required? Is the property “smoke free?” What appliances will the owner provide? What utilities am I responsible for? NOTE: Tenants, it is imperative to do your “due diligence” in finding out if registered sex offenders reside in the area or close by.
  8. BE HONEST: If your credit is “less than stellar,” let the Landlord/Property Manager know upfront. I don’t solely use credit scores to determine if I’m going to rent to a Tenant, but I do run credit reports. Case in point: My BEST tenant of EIGHT YEARS (and counting) had a credit score of 505 and has NEVER been late paying rent… EVER. Don’t tell the Landlord/Property Manager only you, your spouse and your young child will be residing at the property when it’s actually you, your spouse, your young child, your two step-children (who come bi-weekly) and your mother-in-law who will actually be living in the home with you. Any misrepresented information on your application could justify means for eviction. It’s easier to just tell the truth.
  9. KNOW HOW MUCH RENT YOU CAN COMFORTABLY AFFORD: Don’t look at homes to rent you know you can’t afford. I wish there was a “pre-qual” letter for potential renters as there is for potential home buyers. This way precious time isn’t being wasted.  As a good rule of thumb, like a mortgage, the amount of rent shouldn’t be more than 28% of your net income.
  10.  ALWAYS REVIEW YOUR LEASE (PREFERABLY WITH THE LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER) BEFORE SIGNING: Ask for clarification on any clauses of the lease you do not understand. The duration of most home leases is one year. Find out procedures for renewing your lease (if applicable,) holdover amount (i.e. month to month) work/repair order procedures and the like. There is no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to understanding your lease and ignorance is no defense.
  11.  SECURE RENTERS INSURANCE: I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW INPORATANT THIS IS. Many tenants assume because the property is insured, their contents are insured as well right? WRONG! If a catastrophic event at one of my rental properties such as a fire (God forbid) were to happen, and everything was completely destroyed, my insurance will cover the replacement cost of the structure ONLY. A Landlord IS NOT responsible for your property/personal effects, so if you have Cantoni furniture and top of the line flat screen televisions/surround sound systems in each room, even if you have your furniture from college, RENTERS INSURANCE is highly recommended. Paying $13/mo for approximately $20K of coverage is worth it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
These are just a few important tips any renter should know. Although a Landlord/Property Manager may be knowledgeable,  there’s no reason why you, the tenant can’t be knowledgeable as well. Happy House Hunting!!!
~The Financial Hack
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MOTIVATION MONDAY: You HAVE NOT because you ASK NOT

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As I’ve navigated and continue to navigate on this financial journey of mine (it’s never-ending you know,) I’m always learning something new along the way. One thing my mother always tells my sister and me is “You HAVE NOT because you ASK NOT.”

Have you ever told yourself “No” to something before you bothered to ask the question, even of yourself? Case in point: The man who discounts his chances of scoring a date with a young lady because he doesn’t think he’s “her type.” How does he know what her type is? Now granted there are ways a man can tell if a woman is what some consider “high maintenance,” and whether or not he can keep up with her “lifestyle,” but as not to get too technical, let’s keep it simple for all practical purposes. Allow me to tell you my story:

Last week, I wrote in my Tip Tuesday post “What’s in your Valpak Envelope” about a coupon from a bank where first time customers opening a new checking account could get $150 just for doing so. Read that post here:

WHAT’S IN YOUR VALPAK ENVELOPE?

Here was the catch: The coupon was to be presented at the time of opening the account and an EFT/direct deposit must be established and deposited into the account within the first 60 days. I was behind the eight ball because 1) I didn’t have the coupon at the time I opened the account which required the coupon code, 2) The account in question was now 30 days old and the main problem 3) The coupon would be expiring October 16th. I in essence had TWO DAYS to do all I could to take advantage of receiving $150 of F-R-E-E MONEY.

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Some people, because of the odds stacked against them, would have automatically told themselves “No.” I refused to allow my circumstances to dictate what I thought would be the outcome. Remember: EXCEPTIONS CAN ALWAYS BE MADE. I knew this was a decision that only the Branch Manager could override, but I still went through the proper chain of command. Attitude and tone is everything. As the saying goes, “you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.” So I flashed the banker my “colgate smile,” explained my situation and presented my coupon. He attempted to use some creative tactics to enter the coupon code, but was unsuccessful. He called an 800 number and was given a few additional creative tactics to try but was still unsuccessful in his efforts. I explained to the banker this wasn’t just about the $150 (which is what I WANTED,) but also about establishing relationships and building customer loyalty (which is what the bank NEEDED.) I told him if the bank could do this for me, they had a life-long customer. DUH DUH DUNNNNNNN… Enter the Branch Manager.

I allowed the banker to explain my situation to him, and the Branch Manager asked for my coupon. Upon reading it, he told me he was unable to override the transaction because the monthly EFT/Direct Deposit amount had to be at least $500. UMMM WHAT? I read the fine print when I first saw the coupon in the Valpak envelope, read it a second time before heading to the bank, then one last time in the parking lot of the bank. No where did the coupon specify a monthly Direct Deposit dollar amount. I asked the Branch Manager to show me on the coupon where a dollar amount was specified and I would not take up any more of their time. HA! I’ve got him in a trick bag now, because he couldn’t substantiate his comment. What now? Awkward silence, at least for the Branch Manager. Sitting with a smile on my face, I began to reiterate how I know the bank values customer loyalty and overriding this transaction was certainly a great way to gain mine. At the end of the day, the Branch Manager said because I was so persistent as well as knowledgeable, and only on occasion do people like me come into the bank and ask for/challenge the rules, would he override the transaction. I’d like to think it was my reference to customer loyalty that caused the override. Perhaps it was because the Branch Manager erroneously assumed I hadn’t read the fine print. Perhaps it was a combination of the two. WHO CARES! It’s a WIN/WIN situation. I got the $150 and the bank now has a life-long customer.

RULE OF THUMB: Never tell yourself “NO.” Let THEM answer. It could very well be a resounding “YES!”

~The Financial Hack ©2015

Credit Cards, ID Theft Hacks, Identity Theft

HOW I DID IT: TALES FROM A SELF-PROFESSED IDENTITY THIEF

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After being the victim of identity theft (as I too have also been,) Steve Noviello, award-winning FOX 4 News Journalist, speaks to a former IDENTITY THIEF. Learn how easy you can be targeted.

NOTE: I wanted to post this Wednesday night after I saw the news story however, it was taking too long for the station to upload the footage. Well I’ve got it here so TAKE NOTES!

For helpful tips/tricks and product reviews on just about anything, follow Steve Noviello on Facebook (Facebook.com/SaveMeSteve)

REMAIN VIGILANT when it comes to protecting your credit/identity: Here are A FEW ways to protect your information.

  1. Place a FREEZE on your Social Security number with ALL THREE credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.) Keep in mind however, although identity thieves cannot access your information to apply for credit online for example, NEITHER CAN YOU. PRIOR to applying, you will need to have the freeze lifted (there is a fee involved to do so,) specify the length of time your SS number is to be “unfrozen” and once that time frame has expired, your social security number is “frozen” once again. NOTE: There is a fee involved for EACH freeze lift.
  2. It’s worth it to use a reputable CREDIT MONITORING service when it comes to protecting your credit. This can be obtained through any of the three credit bureaus. ANY (and I do mean) ANY change on your credit report (credit inquiries, address changes, changes in credit score, information that has negatively impacted your credit score (late pays,) even increases/decreases in credit card usage (just to name a few) will trigger an automatic alert that will be sent to you via email.) It also give you full access to your credit report MONTHLY. Trust me. Being the past victim of identity theft, USING A CREDIT MONITORING SERVICE IS WORTH THE MONEY!
  3. When using your credit card while shopping in public, keep it in your wallet/pocketbook/purse/pocket until it is time to pay. If someone is standing behind you in the check out line at the store for instance, it’s easy to snap a photo of the front of your credit card, and if the identity thief is lucky, because you’re tussling with it as you wait to complete your transaction, they can get a pic of, or at least see, the three digit code on the back. Credit cards now have microchip technology which is now making it more difficult for identity thieves.
  4. USE CASH. I’m always leery when it comes to giving my debit card to anyone to swipe, especially at restaurants. I’m always afraid, my info will be compromised. Many banks will place a “security freeze” on your debit card if they notice “suspicious activity” and notify you via text message, email, or you may receive a call from the fraud department. Depending on the severity of the situation, ALL FORMS of communication may be used. Last year, my debit card info was compromised. I’m 99.99999% sure who and how my info was compromised, unfortunately, I’m unable to prove it. The thieves attempted to charge approximately $300 worth of clothing online as well as purchase long distance minutes to make international calls. My bank immediately froze my account, reversed the transactions, and issued  another card WHICH WAS MAILED TO MY PO BOX. Problem solved.
  5. CHECK YOUR MAILBOX DAILY: If your neighborhood does not have community mailboxes, it is imperative you make a daily habit of checking your mail. For some, credit card offers come in the nail on a regular basis. If you’re going to be out of town for a few days, arrange to have your mail held at your local post office or ask a reliable friend or relative to check and pick up any mail left in your box daily.
These are only a few things you can do to protect yourself from being the victim of credit card/identity theft. Do you have any additional tips on protecting yourself? If so, feel free to leave your comments below.
~The Financial Hack (copyright 2015)
TIP TUESDAY

WHAT’S IN YOUR VALPAK ENVELOPE?

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Have you ever stopped to open your Valpak coupon envelope that comes in the mail?

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I can honestly say EVERY TIME I got a “Valpak” envelope, it went STRAIGHT to the recycle bin. Why you may ask? I’ll tell you….

I opened one once (insert eye roll.) I saw so many coupons for dry cleaning, which I rarely took advantage of, discounts on garage door repair and service (which I don’t need because as a Property Manager, I have a contractor who does all the work not only for my properties, but those that I manage as well,) oh and let’s not talk about the endless coupons for local restaurants not to mention the Quick Lube/In and Out oil change locations in the area. I say all of that to say, perusing Valpak coupons to me was a HUGE WASTE OF TIME… Or so I thought.

Since I’m really focused on meeting financial goals by saving money where I can, I decided on a whim to open a Valupak I received a couple of weeks ago. Let me tell you about the TOP 3 TREASURES I found inside:

  1. BANK COUPON: I received a coupon from a local bank that would give me $150 for opening a checking account as long there was a monthly EFT going into the account. POW!!! Right on time. I was able to pick up a job (yet another stream of income) where I set my own work schedule, hours and guess what? IT OFFERED DIRECT DEPOSIT!!!  So guess who received $150 in addition to the opening balance that was placed into the account. (High fives myself here.)
  2. LOCAL SPA: Although I take care of my skin, I like to treat myself to an occasional facial. I found a coupon for a $45 facial (which includes a 15 minute shoulder massage.) Excellent!! This will be a “treat myself for remaining vigilant in reaching my financial goals” reward.
  3. LOCAL HIBACHI RESTAURANT: I found a coupon that offered a GIGANTOR discount on the final bill. This restaurant is very special to me for “personal” reasons. We plan to go at the end of this month. ALL OF US. 😎
So you see. The Valpak isn’t that bad. The Valpak is your friend. Before you toss the next one that comes in the mail, open it. It’s like going to the thrift store. The treasures are hidden…. YOU JUST GOTTA DIG FOR THEM!!!
~The Financial Hack ©2015
MOTIVATION MONDAY

MONDAY MOTIVATION “The Art of Saying NOPE”

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I took a trip to H&M Store this morning. There was a location nearby that opened over the weekend. A 10 minute drive to Uptown Village sounded a whole lot better than a 25 minute drive to the nearest location at Northpark Mall. I heard the prices were reasonable and the clothing was trendy. Ehhh. I’m not really a “trendy” dresser. I opt for more “classic” pieces which I believe compliment my personality. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not some snot who turns my nose up and frowns upon things that don’t suit me. For those that remember me from my YouTube vlogging days, YOU KNOW ME…. AND THAT AINT ME, but I digress.

I made a pit stop at Starbucks for a Venti upside down Caramel Macchiato with extra whip then headed for the ATM. I gave myself a $100 budget. That was NON-NEGOTIABLE. If my purchases totaled $105.32, something was going back on the rack. Seriously. Unfortunately, I didn’t purchase anything. Or maybe good fortune was on my side. I probably would have had buyer’s remorse before I got to the car. I tweeted earlier this morning although I saw a few attractive items in the store, nothing grabbed me. I refused to make a purchase just because I was there. I did walk around the store twice to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I saw some button down shirts that could have worked for me, but decided against them. Then I saw a couple of blouses that may have worked, but they looked a little flimsy and thin. I’m sure I would have found fault with any and everything that caught my attention. Could it be I wasn’t in the right headspace? Could it be since meeting financial goals is my focus, not to mention I already have a closet FULL of clothes, something didn’t “feel right.” Something was off. I instantly felt the guilt of wasting $100 just to say “Hey! I went to H&M and this is what I purchased.”

One thing I look for in clothing is “quality.” I’ll take quality over quantity any day of the week. To be honest, the higher-priced items were of better quality than the lower-priced items. I saw a couple of dresses in the $50 range that would have worked for me, but in all honesty, I could find the same style of dress at one of my many favorite thrift stores I patronize for half the price and the dress would most certainly have a label in it. See where I’m going with this?

I left the store empty handed and stopped at a nearby Target which carries career clothing in my style and price range. No luck there either. Again, it’s the headspace I’m in. I’m wasn’t in “shopping mode,” I was in “saving mode” and had been there since BEFORE I left home. I’ve got a good system going so why disrupt things now? Honestly, I didn’t want to spend my money on clothing. Was my mission today based on a NEED or a WANT? Well, that’s a “no brainer.” At least it is if you’ve read this far. I WANTED to buy clothing from H&M, I didn’t NEED to. I WANTED to buy clothing at Target, I didn’t NEED to. I did however purchase this sweatshirt:

I purchased it as a reminder of what to say, when I’m about to make an UNNECESSARY PURCHASE:

How befitting…. For me. $21.64 spent just to make a point. 

Practice “The Art of Saying NOPE” and you won’t have to wear THIS SHIRT instead:

  
 Catch my drift? 

~The Financial Hack ©2015

Money, Relationships

ARE YOU TWO COMPATIBLE? CHECK YOUR CREDIT SCORES.

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Here’s an article to piggyback my post this past Thursday regarding Nerds vs Free Spirits. See what Michelle Singletary, Washington Post Columnist, and writer of the nationally syndicated personal finance column, “The Color of Money” has to say about credit scores and compatibility.

Follow her on Twitter @SingletaryM

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/get-there/are-you-two-compatible-check-your-credit-scores/2015/10/09/20708eea-6e00-11e5-b31c-d80d62b53e28_story.html

Financial Peace University

CLASS IS IN SESSION: NERDS VS FREE SPIRITS

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schools_in_session

I know I’m behind on my postings regarding Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. If you’re new to this blog, I explained I was taking this class to reinforce what I already knew about finance and to learn additional principles and new techniques and to simply see a picture of financial freedom through someone else’s eyes. Now, I don’t claim to know EVERYTHING about finance, but I do know how to handle money. Although I was irresponsible with it when I was younger, I promise you, I’ve got a GOOD GRASP on my money now. More like I’ve got in a “headlock.”

Even though we are in our FOURTH WEEK of Financial Peace University, and I did tell you I would post weekly about my takeaways from each class session, I thought I’d better get you guys up to speed…. There’s so much information and so many thoughts and ideas running around in my head, I can’t wait to share them with you, but “baby steps” I must take. I thought about bringing you guys up to speed in this one blog, but I get so excited and passionate about the possibility of helping someone else, I’ve got to literally blog one class session at a time. I’ve been known to be quite long-winded when blogging, so brevity shall be my focus. I’ll save the wind-bag for my book.

NERDS VS FREE SPIRITS.

Think about that for a minute and if you ponder it long enough, you can figure out which is which. What may surprise you is which category you fall into. Or not. I knew I was a NERD before we even completed the questionnaire. I answered 9/10 questions, NERD. Yep. 100% Grade “A” NERD. And I wasn’t surprised.

NERDS are your “do it by the book” kind of people as it relates to money. They set goals, create budgets and follow them to a tee. If you’re married to a NERD, the NERD can create a monthly budget and tell you, “There’s no need to discuss this, it’s correct. BECAUSE I CREATED IT.”  The FREE SPIRIT… Not so much. FREE SPIRITS are just that, FREE SPIRITS and they don’t like to be micro-managed and told what to do especially when it comes to money. I’m not in any way suggesting FREE SPIRITS are careless and irresponsible with money. A FREE SPIRIT will take care of their necessities and save as well, but what’s “left over” is theirs to play with. If the FREE SPIRIT sees something they wish to purchase, a piece of art, home décor, tools from Home Depot or whatever tickles their fancy, if their business is handled, they feel entitled to do so, and technically, they most certainly are. The problem is, the rigid, strict by the book Taurus (strike that,) I mean NERD, may become frustrated and deem the FREE SPIRIT as being frivolous. Quite the opposite.

When I was married, my ex-husband and I had many disagreements over finances. He was a FREE SPIRIT. He was the type that wanted a front loading washer and dryer when there was absolutely NOTHING wrong with the washer and dryer we had. He did his part and contributed, but when it came to saving, I felt he could have done more. It was more like me telling him “YOU NEED TO DO MORE!!!” Yes, those caps lock were intentional. We all know the majority of marriages that end in divorce do so not because of infidelity but because of money issues. Now money wasn’t the only issue my marriage faced. It just seemed to be at the forefront of every argument. I was trying to build and save and it seemed as though all he wanted was to do was spend.

One would think a union between a NERD and a FREE SPIRIT is an unlikely one, but that simply is not true. As long as there is a little thing called BALANCE and COMPROMISE, it can work. There have to be some discussions about money and budgets… You have to discuss who’s going to handle making sure the household bills are paid monthly, how much you intend to save, and where your money is going. AND YOU CERTAINLY DON’T WAIT UNTIL AFTER YOU SAY “I DO” TO HAVE “THE TALK” ABOUT YOUR FINANCES. Lay all your cards on the table. YOU ARE A TEAM and as the saying goes, “There’s no “I” in team.”

TIPS FOR THE NERD: Once you’ve meticulously prepared your ZERO monthly budget (meaning all monies for the month are accounted for.) When you subtract monthly bills, household/car expenses, entertainment, etc. even down to your FREE SPIRIT’S “play money,” you should have a zero balance because all income for the month, yes EVERY penny, is accounted for. In a perfect world for the NERD, the FREE SPIRIT agrees to, signs off on the budget and the round table discussion is over. Umm Errm. It’s not that simple. If you attempt to force a budget you’ve prepared on them, your FREE SPIRIT will probably have some FREE CHOICE WORDS for you. Here’s how you side-step a potential land mine:

DEAR NERDS,

Present your budget to the FREE SPIRIT FIRST, explain why you believe certain changes if any should be made, THEN SIT DOWN AND SHUT THE HELL UP! As Dave Ramsey said during the webinar, the NERD has approximately 17min27sec of a FREE SPIRIT’S attention, then they’re totally checked out. (HOLLA IF YA HEAR ME!!!) Your budget meeting doesn’t have to turn into a weekend summit where you don’t leave the kitchen table until a resolution is agreed upon. Allow your FREE SPIRIT the chance to give their input and my precious NERDS, LISTEN TO THEM. Don’t be so quick to dismiss their ideas and suggestions, otherwise, that may be your first and last budget meeting.

TIPS FOR THE FREE SPIRIT: Yes your NERD tap dances on your last good nerve every time there’s a meeting regarding money. Understand, your NERD doesn’t mean to be bossy and unreasonable (hopefully not,) it’s just that they want to be secure and financially stable, not just for themselves, but for the both of you. Remember. YOU ARE A TEAM. Compromise. For example. Are you able to cut your play money to $300 a month as opposed to the $500 a month you’ve allotted to appease the NERD? The NERD may have originally suggested cutting your play money to $250 a month. You countered and suggested $300. By compromising, the FREE SPIRIT STILL has a significant amount of money to play with, and the NERD is happy because they got their way (which was reducing the amount of your play money to contribute more towards savings.) This is how successful budgeting in relationships should work. It should always be a WIN-WIN situation for both the NERD and the FREE SPIRIT.

happy-couple

Remember: HAVE DISCUSSIONS, FIND A MIDDLE GROUND AND COMPROMISE. You’ll have a much happier and successful marriage when you do.

Whelp. So much for the brevity I aimed for. I pray you enjoyed this blog posting just the same. Wishing you much success on your financial journey.

~The Financial Hack ©2015

Uncategorized

RANDOM

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The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. (Prov. 22:7) WHAT ARE YOU SHACKLED TO? Credit card debt, medical bills, student loans, living beyond your means, keeping up with the Jones’, frivolous behavior, mismanagement of your money? The list can go on and on. IT STOPS HERE. IT STOPS NOW!!! Break the shackles that keep you chained to grief, worry and anxiety and take back control of your life. Email me at AndreaColeman@thefinancialhack.com for your FREE consult.