Episodes

  • 42. How to Make the 52 Week Savings Challenge Work for You

    42. How to Make the 52 Week Savings Challenge Work for You
    May 25 2022

    Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 42 - How to Make the 52 Week Savings Challenge Work for You

    The 52 Week Savings Challenge is a simple method for saving a large amount. Making smaller deposits each week will help you reach your savings goal amount by the end of the year-long challenge period.

    Print out one of the trackers included in this article for monitoring your savings progress.   You don’t have to start your challenge at the beginning of the year, but the $1000 and $5000 Savings trackers are set up to accumulate those amounts before Christmas.

     

    FIND US:

    Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

     

    RESOURCES:

    Read: How to Make the 52 Week Savings Challenge Work for You + Free 52 Week Savings Challenge Tracker Downloads

    Read: The Financial Security Steps: Welcome!

    Read: Financial Security Step 2a: Save a Mini Emergency Fund

    Read: Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for Retirement

    Read: Financial Security Step 6: Create a Budget

    Read: Financial Security Step 3: Save for Recurring Expenses

    Read: Financial Security Step 7: Pay off Debt

    Read: Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency Fund

    Read: Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement Contributions

    Read: Financial Security Step 10: Choose Your Next Financial Goal

    Read: 30 Day Challenge + Free 30 Day Tracker

    Sign up: Balanced Family Financial Fix waitlist
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    17 mins
  • 41. The Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Moms of Young Kids

    41. The Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Moms of Young Kids
    May 11 2022

    Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 41 - The Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Moms of Young Kids

    These Mother’s Day gift ideas for moms with young kids are guaranteed to score the dads out there some major brownie points. We all know it’s Dad’s job to buy Mother’s Day gifts when their children are young. That also means there’s more pressure to buy a great gift.  Mom is going to appreciate anything directly from the kids. It’s on Dad to buy something that shows his appreciation for all she does.

     

    FIND US:

    Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

     

    RESOURCES:

    Read: The Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, for Moms of Young Kids

    Read: 5 Tips for a Frugal Christmas

    Read: 6 Ways to Have a Frugal Valentine’s Day
    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
  • 40. How to Start a Virtual Bookkeeping Business

    40. How to Start a Virtual Bookkeeping Business
    Apr 27 2022
    Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 40 - How to Start a Virtual Bookkeeping Business, based on my own experience in starting one. I’ll walk you through the major decisions you need to make, step by step, to get this side hustle off the ground. The most important reminder is to not fake your qualifications; don’t pass yourself off as a bookkeeper with no knowledge or experience.We’ll cover the basic steps, likeDecide on a business name & business typeRegister with your state & the IRSOpen a business bank accountGet liability insuranceTrain on bookkeeping practices & softwareDecide what services to offerSet up your tech FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com RESOURCES:Read- How to start a virtual bookkeeping businessRead- It’s Not Easy Parenting a Child with DisabilitiesRead more- Debt Payoff JourneyRead more- Financial Security StepsResource- Choose a business structureResource- About Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and CertificationResource- Register your businessResource- Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) OnlineResource- Intro to Accounting Training CourseResource- QuickbooksResource- National Association of Certified Public BookkeepersResource- Google DriveResource- DropboxResource- TrelloResource- AsanaResource- MondayResource- Adobe AcrobatResource- SquarespaceResource- Wordpress SOURCES:Buy- HP LED monitorBuy- Wireless keyboard & mouse comboBuy- Dell Inspiron laptopBuy- Lexmark color laser multifunction printerBuy- Logitech Pro webcamSubscribe- Quickbooks OnlineBuy- Microsoft DynamicsSubscribe- XeroSubscribe- FreshBooks
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    32 mins
  • 39. Investing Terms 101

    39. Investing Terms 101
    Apr 20 2022

    Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 39 - Investing Terms 101: Basic Investment Terms You Need to Know

    Understanding a few basic investment terms is a step forward on your journey toward financial security.

    Investing can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be. Thousands of people actually invest others’ money as a job…. but it’s also something literally anyone with money can participate in.

    FIND US:

    Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

    RESOURCES:

    Read- Investing Terms 101: Basic Investment Terms You Need to Know

    FREE download- Investing Terms 101 Fact Sheet

    Read- Smart Ways to Use Your Stimulus Money

    Read- Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement Contributions

    Read- Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for Retirement

    SOURCES:

    Source- The S&P 500 and How It Works

    Source- J.P. Morgan Glossary of Investment Terms

    Source- Investment Terms Everyone Should Know

    Source- Basic Investing Terms You Should Know
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    24 mins
  • 38. The 20 Best Money-Saving Life Hacks

    38. The 20 Best Money-Saving Life Hacks
    Apr 13 2022

    Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 38 - The 20 Best Money-Saving Life Hacks

    Planning for your money, conserving, meal planning, and more… little changes can lead to big improvements in your finances.

    FIND US:

    Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

    RESOURCES:

    Read- The 20 Best Money-Saving Life Hacks: Ways to Save Money in Everyday Life

    Read- 4 Ways to Be Intentional With Your Money

    Read- 7 Steps to Find Your Motivation For Debt Payoff

    Read- 10 Ways to Make Saving Money Fun

    Buy- Meal Planner Printable Bundle

    Read- I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your Budget

    Sign up- Intentionally Debt Free

    Read- Financial Security Step 1: Track Your Expenses

    Read- Financial Security Step 7: Pay off Debt

    FREE Sign up- Debt Payoff Planner

    Read- Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for Retirement

    Read- Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency Fund

    Read- Financial Security Step 10: Choose Your Next Financial Goal

    Read- 3 Ways to Use Meal Planning to Save Money

    Read- Top Tips for Frugal Activities

    Read- 5 Quick Questions to Ask Yourself Before Purchasing

    FREE Sign up- Money Makeover Challenge

    SOURCES:

    Source- Want to control your spending? Try the 30-Day Rule

    Source- Save Money Easily with the $5 Savings Challenge

    Buy- CyperPower Energy-Saving Surge Protector Power Strip

    Buy- Krups Coffee Grinder

    Buy- Steam Espresso Machine with Milk Frother
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • 37. Quick Tips for a Frugal Wedding

    37. Quick Tips for a Frugal Wedding
    Mar 29 2022

    Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 37 - Quick Tips for a Frugal Wedding

    The average cost of a wedding in the US is around $30,000. That’s an awful lot of money to spend on one day. 

    If you’re looking for more affordable alternatives, there are many ways to plan and host a frugal wedding without going into debt. These ideas will allow you to do something meaningful with your partner and celebrate your love in a way that doesn’t break the bank.

     

    FIND US:

    Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

     

    RESOURCES:

    Read- Frugal Wedding: Celebrating Your Love Without Going Into Debt

    Read- I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your Budget

    Resource - Trello

     

    SOURCES:

    Source- Average Wedding Bill Hits $30,000

    Source- This Gorgeous DIY Costco Wedding Cake Only Cost $50 to Create
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • 36. Gather These Documents for Your Tax Prep

    36. Gather These Documents for Your Tax Prep
    Mar 22 2022

    Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 36 - Gather These Documents for Your Tax Prep

    Hopefully, you’re planning ahead to make sure your taxes will be filed in a timely manner.

    Whether you’re preparing your own return or paying a professional, some documents are needed for taxes, and you need to make sure you have all of them gathered up.

    FIND US:

    Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

    RESOURCES:

    Read- The Most Important Documents Needed for Taxes

    Resource- IRS Standard Mileage Rates

    Read- Financial Security Step 4: Calculate your Net Worth

    SOURCES:

    Source- Rules for Claiming a Dependent on Your Tax Return

    Source- How Do I Choose the Right Tax Filing Status?

    Source- Tax forms you may receive

    Source- Changes to charitable giving rules for 2020
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    29 mins
  • 35. Struggling to Talk to Your Spouse About Money: 3 Simple Steps to Help

    35. Struggling to Talk to Your Spouse About Money: 3 Simple Steps to Help
    Feb 15 2022

    Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 35 - Struggling to Talk to Your Spouse About Money: 3 Simple Steps to Help

    Money is a big part of marriage, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. The 3 steps to discussing your money with your spouse are:

    • Talk about your current money situation
    • Talk about your current money feelings
    • Talk about how to change your money

    Tips for making these things happen included!

     

    FIND US:

    Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

     

    RESOURCES:

    Read: Struggling to Talk to Your Spouse About Money: 3 Simple Steps to Help

    Read: Financial Security Step 6: Create a Budget

    Read: Financial Security Step 4: Calculate your Net Worth

    Download: Debt Payoff Planner

    Sign Up: Frugal Year Challenge

    Read: How to Set Financial Goals for 2021

    Read: Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency Fund

    Read: Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement Contributions

    Resource: Keep These 5 Resources on Financial Abuse Bookmarked

    Join the Waitlist: INTENTIONALLY DEBT FREE!

     

    SOURCES:

    Source: This common behavior is the No. 1 predictor of whether you’ll get divorced
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    17 mins