Tis' the Season to Plan!

I know, I know... ya'll are thinking "Is she crazy? I don't have time to think let alone plan!"

Just hear me out for a few minutes. There is a method to my madness.

This year, Mike and I decided we were going to spend less on Christmas and spend more time enjoying the festivities. With our large family and extended family, it's necessary for us to start our financial planning for the holidays early in the year and as the kids kid older, they definitely get more expensive! Gone are the days when we could go to Toys R Us and spend a few hundred dollars and come back with a boat load of presents. These days, a few hundred doesn't even cover a good iPod! Add Hollister jeans, American Eagle hoodies, Nike Air Max, etc. etc. you get the picture. It also turns out that college tuition for our oldest is due about the same time and the majority of our family members birthdays fall between September and December. The end of the year is without a doubt, an expensive time for us and requires a lot of pre-planning and because I am self employed, my income is not steady so I have to make the best of what I do make.

The economy has been a good tool for teaching the kids how to be responsible with their money and so far, so good. They made excellent decisions with their Christmas funds and the two kids we still have at home decided to go in together on family gifts. They saved a lot and still managed to get everyone on their lists something nice. We were really proud of their efforts.

In looking ahead to the new year, a lot of people are dreading more of the same. As I stated in an earlier article, I refuse to participate in the recession. I'm a firm believer that there is money out there to be made and even if you've lost your job, you still have everything you need to make a living.  Everyone has special gifts that can be taken out and dusted off or in some cases, discovered! For too long people have put the fate of their lives in the hands of others only to pay the price when those same "others" have to look out for themselves and their own interests.

Through my coaching program, I am working with people who are feeling the same way. They came to me feeling hopeless and little-by-little they are finding that they don't have to participate with the rest of the world in these horrific economic times. In every case, my client's are realizing that they have talents and ideas that are not only good but they are DOABLE!

The new year is a perfect opportunity to plan a fresh start and an incredible new beginning. All you need is a spiral notebook and your imagination to get started.

Have you ever sat at your desk and daydreamed about what it would be like to work at home doing what you love the most? Maybe it is writing articles or an eBook, or some type of art, or maybe it involves starting a home-based business to help seniors i.e. a home delivery service for the elderly, or another service for people who can not get out and about.  Maybe you love to take pictures or have a special gift with video... it can be anything you enjoy and it can be used to start anew.

With few job choices available to many of you, it's the perfect opportunity to stop worrying and start doing. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain and you'll enjoy yourself in the process.

My plans for the new year is to produce my own Country Living program for eTelevision. It's been a dream for over a year and I've let other things get in the way, but in 2011 it's going to become a reality! I've made my list and I've begun laying the ground work for the shows production. I have sponsors lined up and fresh ideas flowing.  This is something I LOVE to do!  Part of my project will involve selling some of my artwork in the form of greeting cards and home decor. Who would have thunk it? Ha! The best part about this plan is that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what I am doing! I began sharing my ideas with others and before I knew it, I had people referring other people and sharing ideas, it took on a life of its own and some of my friends and family are even participating in the creation and production. Piece by piece the dream is coming together and it's becoming a reality!

You can DO this! You can find a way to make a way and when you shed the chains of fear, uncertainty, and stop being negative, your mind will reward you with incredible feedback! Try it, you got nothin' to lose and everything to gain!

As a side note, I want to caution you about the thousands of "Make you Rich Fast!" MLM offers you may come across. Most of these programs are junk. If they were any good, everyone would be doing them, but some of the sales people are pretty convincing. Don't throw your time or what little money you have away by participating in any of these programs no matter how good they sound. Use what you do have for your OWN idea, not someones else's.

I am excited about what the New Year will bring for all of us. I'd LOVE to hear your ideas and I'll help guide you any way I can.  Don't wait another second! Get your notebook, grab a nice cup of hot cocoa, and start planning your successful future!

Until we meet again... Simply Believe!!