Budget / Money Management

Most of us are having to work harder and longer for our money today. Our earnings are a precious commodity, so we owe it to ourselves to look after our money and spend it wisely.

Unfortunately, money management is rarely taught seriously in school, if taught at all, so 'trial and error' has become our teacher. This can result in enormous stress as we wrestle with paying bills, managing debts and saving for the future, against the ongoing challenges of inflation and for some, unemployment. Setting up a budget is the only solution, but take heart - many families find budgeting is much easier than they expect. What better time to find out than right now? 

Tips and Tools You Can Use

Successful budgeting begins with clear identification of income and expenses, with the latter broken into fixed expenses (fixed payments that you have to make, such as rent, mortgage, loan payments etc) and variable expenses (ongoing payments that vary and could be controlled, including gifts, entertainment, travel etc.) Many tools are available to help you with this vital first step. Once completed, you'll be in an excellent position to begin taking control of your finances. Here are some great tips: 

Assessing the situation

• Add up your income from all sources, including take home pay, pensions, child support, alimony, rental income etc..
• Determine the fixed expenses you have to pay, including rent, mortgage, utilities, loan payments, insurance etc..
• Determine the variable expenses that you have some control over, including food, clothing, entertainment, travel, gifts etc..
• Track your daily pocket-change expenses for a week or more, including snacks, newspapers and spontaneous small purchases. These can add up!
• Add an amount for emergencies that may crop up over the year.
• Add an amount for savings for the future.

Balancing income and expenses

• Compare your income with the total expenses you listed above. If your income is greater than your expenses, reflect whether you could make better use of the surplus through saving or investments.
• If your expenses are greater than your income, it's time to trim your budget.
• Clearly identify the amount you need to trim from expenses.
• If debt load is overwhelming, consider credit counselling.

Trimming expenses

• Review fixed expenses. This is the hardest area to trim but savings are sometimes possible through better mortgage rates, loan consolidation etc.. In extreme cases, alternative housing options may need to be explored.
• Divide your variable expenses into 'needs' which would include basic food, clothing and utilities etc. and 'wants', which might include entertainment, hobbies and travel etc.
• Consider where savings could be made. There are many resources to help you with this.
• Set realistic targets that allow for small treats. If your budget is too harsh, you are more likely to give up.
• Be a financially wise food shopper

o   Slash your grocery bill (http://www.chatelaine.com/article.jsp?page=money&cid=294933

o   Save on purchases (http://www.ourfamilyplace.com/purchases.html)

o   Find saving coupons on the internet (http://www.save.ca/)

·         How to handle your debt load

o   Manage Debt Step by Step(http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles/smartbuy/debt/contents.asp)

o   10 strategies to reduce your debt (http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles/smartbuy/debt/1330.asp)

o   What Debt To Pay Off First (http://www.bankrate.com/dotp/news/cc/19980713.asp)

o   Dealing with debt: from the Office of The Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada (http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/br01035e.html#Possiblesolutions)

Savings and Emergencies

• If at all possible, consider funds for savings and emergencies as budget 'needs'.
• Try to cut 'wants' before you cut into these funds.
• Consider automatic payroll deductions from your monthly salary into a savings account.

Helpful Resources

Household budget form

(http://www.ourfamilyplace.com/budget1.html)

How to budget

(http://www.bankrate.com/dotp/news/advice/20000511b.asp?keyword=)

Money Saving Tips

(http://www.ourfamilyplace.com/saving.html)

10 strategies to reduce your debt

(http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles/smartbuy/debt/1330.asp)

The Canadian Coupon, Contest and Online Shopping Site

(http://www.frugalshopper.ca/)

Online Coupons

(http://www.insanecoupons.com)

Free things to do in the Greater Toronto area

(http://www.e-kidstoronto.com/ekids/freethings.htm)

For more information or to arrange an appointment for confidential counselling, contact FGIworld, your EAP/EFAP provider, (24 hours-a-day/7days-a-week) at: 1-800-268-5211 (English) © FGI          1-800-363-3872 (en français)

The Delusional-Genetic Programming: Are you a Blind Sheep?

I can't even recall how many times my dad would tell me: "Get with the Program!"
or something like, "It's all part of the Program!"


What we 'accept' as programming becomes our realities.

In the below video Part 2 of 9, Bruce Lipton speaks with Joe Rogan about consciousness and the effects it may have on the reality we perceive.

At about the 6:17 mark, Bruce Lipton dives in to the "programming" concept:


Programming References / Quotes:

"Give me a Child until he is 6 or 7 and he will belong to the Church for the rest of their lives." Jesuit People

I also read the book Bruce Lipton references, Rich Dad, Poor Dad:

“If you realize that you're the problem, then you can change yourself, learn something and grow wiser. Don't blame other people for your problems.”
― Robert T. Kiyosaki, Rich Dad, Poor Dad

The African Monkey with a Diamond - Searching for the Truth

Joe Rogan on Materialism and Technology --> a TRUTH conversation.



And the timing was impeccable... I understood what he was talking about when he spoke of the YUGA CYCLE since I just finished watching (the YUGA CYCLE is explained at about 22 minutes in):

Anxiety vs Stress

Stress isn't an illness and in itself isn't even necessarily harmful. It is defined as a physical, mental or emotional tension and can have vital positive effects when it provides the adrenaline we need to face genuine danger or to rise to meet challenges such as giving presentations or coping with life's deadlines and dramas. 

Unfortunately, reactions to stress can vary widely and can result in unreasonable, crippling anxiety for some. In fact, 25% of the population will suffer from some type of anxiety disorder during their lives, with women being particularly susceptible. If you are amongst this group, you may find it encouraging to know that anxiety disorders are the most treatable of all mental disorders. 80% who undergo cognitive behaviour therapy report recovery after a year. 

Tips and Tools You Can Use

It is essential to recognize that anxiety disorders are medical conditions that require diagnosis by a medical practitioner and subsequent treatment. Don't try to overcome the challenge alone - there are numerous resources to help you. Here are some tips to help you get started: 

Types of anxiety disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by chronic worrying, nervousness and exaggerated fears. It is usually accompanied by physical symptoms that may include headaches, shaking, twitching, hot flushes, breathlessness, dizziness, nausea or insomnia.
• Panic attacks involves panic attacks, which lead to a cycle of fear of future attacks. Panic attacks can be terrifying for the person afflicted and may include trembling or shaking, a choking sensation, racing heart beat, dizziness, tight chest, numbness or tingling and the fear that a heart attack or death is imminent.
• Social Anxiety Disorder is noted by an extreme fear of being humiliated or 'shown up' in front of others. Symptoms may include a severe fear of speaking, eating or writing in public; blushing, sweating and inappropriate anxiety during social interaction and difficulty making eye contact. Day to day living can become virtually impossible for some sufferers, with serious consequences on work, education and relationships.
• Phobias involve an irrational and exaggerated fear of specific situations or objects. Phobias can include agoraphobia (fear of going out) and claustrophobia (fear of being enclosed), amongst many others.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder results in continual unwanted thoughts and rituals that the sufferer has no control over. These can range from fear of germs or contamination with subsequent compulsive washing and cleaning, to compulsive touching, checking or counting.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder affects sufferers who have been through extreme mental or physical trauma. Symptoms can include traumatic flashbacks, emotional numbness and hyper-anxiety.
• Self assessment

Children and Anxiety

• Fears, Phobias and Anxiety in children
  (http://www.childanxiety.net/Fears_Phobias_Anxiety.htm)
• Helping your child deal with trauma
  (http://www.parents-talk.com/expertsadvice/ea_st_0005.html)

Treatment

• Your general physician may give you a thorough physical examination to rule out any physical medical conditions.
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is proving highly effective. You may be referred to a psychologist, counsellor or support group who will help you gain understanding of thinking patterns, gradual exposure to and mastery of situations that have provoked anxiety, and various strategies - including breathing and relaxation techniques - to reduce or cease unwanted reactions.
• Highly effective medications are available, which form a crucial part of the recovery process for many.
• A combination of medication and therapy is reported to be achieving highest success rates.
• Coping with anxiety
• Simple things you can do to control stress

(http://stress.about.com/library/weekly/aa112600a.htm)

o   Supporting someone with anxiety

·         Medications

o   Access to Health Canada medication related information (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/product.htm)

o   Health Canada drug product database  (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut/htmleng/dpd.html)

o   What's this pill for again?

(http://www.50Plus.com)

o   Medication

(http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/for_you/seniors.html#7)

Helpful Resources

Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba (ADAM)

(http://www.adam.mb.ca/about.html)

For more information or to arrange an appointment for confidential counselling, contact FGIworld, your EAP/EFAP provider, (24 hours-a-day/7days-a-week) at: 1-800-268-5211 (English) 1-800-363-3872 (en français)

Coping With Change

It’s been said that the only thing constant in life is change. People change, circumstances change, things change. Change can be small, big, subtle or sudden. Sometimes it’s a breeze, other times it’s a painful process. Change may be a choice we make, or it may be imposed on us. A new job, getting married, starting a family, moving house – these are examples of life changes we may experience. Some people view change as a positive challenge, others fret and agonize over the consequences of new situations. Few of us deal with change without feeling unruffled, so here are some tips to help deal with it more effectively.

Don’t rush it

Change involves a transition from one set of circumstances to another. Give yourself time to adjust and settle down.

Expect a reaction

Emotions will be stirred up. Let yourself laugh, cry or feel moody about it. Change often involves a degree of loss, so it’s OK to grieve a little and feel nostalgic.

Don’t take it personally

Change happens. That’s life. It’s got nothing to do with you. Don’t obsess over who’s to blame or why it happened.

Go with the flow

Don’t resist or be too rigid. Be flexible, ride out the storm, and see how things turn out.

Don’t go it alone

Talk to your family and close friends. Share your problems with people you trust. Others may offer a different angle to the situation.

Don’t focus on the negative

If you keep looking at the bad side of things, you might miss the good. The glass is also half full, remember?

Break it up

A large problem will seem less insurmountable when divided into little ones. Work on them one at a time, and give yourself a pat on the back each time you overcome one.

Learn from it

With new experiences, we grow wiser and stronger. Wisdom helps us make better decisions in future.

Balance your life

It’s important to have a personal life to fall back on to help you through tough times. Take time to be with your friends and family.

Know that it will end

No matter how big or difficult, change comes to an end when the new circumstances are in place and become familiar. Normality will return. Keep this in mind.

Source: http://www.imh.com.sg/patient_education/cwchange.htm

Friendship and Your Health

Studies show that people with a strong support network – which is ultimately what good friends provide – are less prone to conditions such as depression and are in a better situation to fight back and recover from serious illness. 

Unfortunately, when we are juggling endless responsibilities and find ourselves in a crunch, time committed to friends is often the first thing we sacrifice. Next time you're tempted to cancel a friend, try to remember that the benefits of friendship go far beyond the welcome break they offer – cancel something else instead. 

Tips and Tools You Can Use

Given that friendships contribute to our sense of emotional wellbeing and overall good health, try to consider the time spent with friends as a priority. In other words, stop feeling guilty about the time you spend together and instead enjoy yourself with friends more often! Here are some great tips: 

How your health benefits

• Good friendships contribute to emotional well being, which makes us less susceptible to illness.
• People with a strong support network are less prone to clinical depression.
• Time spent with friends helps to relieve stress.
• It is easier to laugh when you are with friends – and laughter helps to release endorphins, which contribute to wellbeing.
• A strong support network can help to fight serious illness and speed recovery.

Setting healthy examples

• Spending time with healthy friends can increase your likelihood of staying healthy.
• It’s easier to eat healthy foods when your friends do.
• Your level of activity increases when you spend time with active friends.
• When you start a diet with a friend or join a fitness club together, you are more likely to stick with it.
• Healthy lifestyles are ‘catching’ – it’s easier to adopt healthy habits.
• If your friends consider regular medical check-ups part of life, you are more likely to include them in your life.

Providing support

• Focus on supportive friends who talk to you honestly and who are always there for you.
• Another person’s point of view can often help to clarify your own decisions about important issues.
• When you feel tense or upset before challenging or important events, chatting with a friend in person or on the phone can help to reduce stress levels.
• Never be afraid to ask for help in times of need – that’s what friends are for.
• Remember that friendship is reciprocal – be there for your friends as well.

Social benefits

• Socially adept friends can help build your own social skills.
• Friends introduce you to other friends who may become part of your support network or add to your career network.
• Socializing helps to stimulate us and keeps us feeling part of life.
• Even a five minute social chat on the phone can help you get through a bad day.

Helpful Resources

What makes a healthy friendship?
(http://www.loveandlearn.com/questions/q77/default.htm)
Making friends
(http://www.counseling.caltech.edu/html/MakingFriends.html)
Maintaining friendships
(http://www.cyberparent.com/friendship/maintain.htm)

For more information or to arrange an appointment for confidential counselling, contact FGIworld, your EAP/EFAP provider, (24 hours-a-day/7days-a-week) at: 1-800-268-5211 (English) 1-800-363-3872 (en français)