Day 30

Your day of appreciation!  You've organized, scrutinized, and smartened up your money life in just 30 days.  Now its time to pat yourself on the back. Plan a potluck dinner party, and brag about your progress.


I think I will skip the potluck dinner party and let myself finish my last 50 Shades of Grey book tonight.  Ya-hoo!

Day 29

Purse purge!  You've already tidied up your spending habits - now it's time to slim your wallet.  Toss old receipts once they've shown up on your statements, and carry only one credit card.  Remove your Social Security card; carrying it around makes you vulnerable to indentity theft.


Done and done! ; ) 

Day 28

Find out if you're underpaid.  This cleanse is only one half of getting your financial life in order; the other is earning more.  Compare your salary to industry averages at glassdoor.com or by meeting with other people in your field.  If your pay is on the low end, think about what you'll need to do to ask for a raise.


Being a teacher, my salary is based on a scale.  It is not possible to ask for a raise, you can only complete more graduate work to get paid more.  That is exactly what I am doing!

Day 27

Tweak your student loans.  The government's little-known Income-Based Repayment plan lets some borrowers make payments based on their family size and earnings, not on what they owe.  See if you qualify and learn more at ibrinfo.org


Thank you thank you to my Mom and Dad...no student loans for me!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Happy Birthday to the BEST Mommy!

Day 26

Learn from your financially solid friends.  Research shows that our pals influence everything from our weight to our drinking habits, and that shopping with a thrifty friend could make us much likelier to spend less.  Ask one of your pals who seems to have her financial life in order about her saving strategies.  Tell her you'd love her support to help you stay on track once the cleanse is over.


I have someone in mind for this...but I am not telling because she reads this blog!  You may know who you are... ; ) 

Day 25

Now, make sure you're on schedule.  If you have a 401(k), find out what changes you need to make to maximize your investment.  Or, consider a Roth IRA, where your money will grow tax-free.


Again, I'm skipping this.  I do want to open a Roth IRA though someday!