We've been doing a lot of, well, doing these past few weeks. We've decluttered our lives (or at least started to), we've begun new habits, and, heck, we've dusted off that coffee maker and made coffee at home...all to help our Family Piggy Banks. And those things will. We may not see tons of results yet, but they are on their way. Sometimes, when I start a new habit or routine, and I don't quite get huge results right away, I get discouraged. We all want that immediate proof that this hard thing we are attempting is going to work, but it doesn't always happen that way (it's called Life, as I tell my kiddo).
It is at those times we need a little boost, a little lift, some wise words to remind us why we are doing what we are doing. We need inspiration. Of course, you can always come here to get some, but there are books out there that also guide us (and kick us in the tush) to keep on saving and finding some not-as-obvious ways to help our Family Piggy Bank.
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey - Many of you have read this already, but it doesn't hurt to return to it now and again. His main thing: write everything down, every single cent you spend. It is only once you see where your money is going that you can make a change to make that budget work and really start saving and paying down debt. This works...really.
Secrets of Simplicity by Mary Carlomagno - One of the biggest things to overcome when you are overbudget and in debt is letting go of thinking you need a lot of things, of getting too overwhelmed with stuff that just doesn't matter. This "interactive journal" helps you figure out where you should be spending your money and time to really live the life you want to live, to spend that energy on what is important in your life. It gives you step-by-step guides on how to declutter and organize your lists and your days -- all of which makes a huge impact on your savings account.
First Things First by Stephen Covey, Roger Merrill and Rebecca Merrill - This book is great for those of us trying to figure out that work-life balance, how to do "the juggle." With a time management process and a cool grid, you can quickly where the areas are you should be focused on -- again, areas that don't necessarily cost money. You can also see where you are wasting time and money. Valuable information that can really affect your Family Piggy Bank.
What books do you read to keep you focused on saving and budgeting?
We've read Dave Ramsey's book and try to follow it although we've been struggling lately with it.
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- HeatherNYC
on Jan. 24, 2012 at 12:00 AM