Family Financial Re-Solutions for 2011

Does setting resolutions for the New Year really work? Take a look at the word itself…it has the word “solutions” within it. That is what setting resolutions is all about; coming up with solutions that will actually work in 2011 and taking action on them. As a family gearing up for the holiday season, celebrations and making efforts to spend wisely, this is also a great time to set intentions for the New Year around family finances and put a prosperity plan into action.

The first part of coming up with re-solutions is to have an awareness, understanding and clarity around what you want as a family. If you wanted to go on a vacation, wouldn’t you pick the destination first (not just show up at the airport and go!)? Wouldn’t you also get input from all the family members as to where they would like to go? Absolutely! So just like planning a well deserved vacation, why not take some time over the holidays to create a prosperity and financial plan for 2011.

Create a family “bucket list”. Have each member of the family write down 101 things they would like to do, be or have in their life. This includes places you would like to visit or things you would like to experience. Then have each member share with the family and come up with a list of common items. This could be a vacation or even buying a new home. As a family pick three things that you would like to work towards this year.

Create a family vision board. Collect images from magazines, internet, etc. that best represent achieving the three goals that you have agreed upon as a family. As the brain processes information in images, this is important to help “clarify and visualize” the outcomes. Put this in a visible part of your home so every family member can “see it” every day. Hey why not create a family vision wall! What you focus on expands!

Increase your income. Take a look at your family income and brainstorm ways that the family as a whole could increase earned or passive income over the next 12 months. Be really creative! This could be selling off items in a garage sale, taking on a paper route, or asking for that raise that you were too apprehensive to ask for. Maybe even start a business! Each member must be willing to contribute towards making the prosperity plan a reality.

Reduce your expenses. This is really about simplifying your lifestyle so you can achieve your goals. Look at your needs versus your wants as a family. Is all the money you’re spending on necessities really necessary? Will the money you’re spending on your current wants assist you in achieving your three family goals for 2011? Simplifying is the best solution for getting on track with your finances… after all, it’s not what you earn but what you keep that creates wealth!

Schedule a family financial fitness session each month. Have all members attend and take a look at your progress towards achieving your goals. Have you increased income? If you have, are you putting it towards your goals or spending it? Have you reduced expenses? Can you do more? What is working and what isn’t working? How does everyone feel about the process? Revisit your vision board… add to it and revamp it if necessary. Monitor and feedback, the basis of a great financial fitness plan.

Can you hear the cry “it’s so busy over the holidays, we don’t have time!” However, investing five hours of time as a family is a great bonding experience, especially if everyone is normally off doing “busy” things. Treat your family prosperity planning session(s) as a celebration and turn it into a family tradition… make hot chocoloate, have some tasty treats, and create an atmosphere of “we are up to something spectacular”.

Taking action is one of the most important steps to achieving your prosperity plan and it starts NOW! You could put this off until next year. That’s what most everybody does (which is the problem – people never address this issue), but the time to start planning for your financial future is TODAY. Until you make the conscious effort to take control over your money, your money will continue to be in control over your life. Don’t just set resolutions but create “solutions” that will work in the next year. What a great way to spend time wisely over the holidays… focussing on family finances. Creating an inspired family team that is celebrating and committed jointly to improving their lives in 2011! Getting goosebumps?

Tags: 2011, children, family, finances, financial planning, Kids, Kim Deep, Our Big Earth Media Co., resolutions, solutions, The Wealthy Family

Category: Finance & Investment, Mom & Dad, THINK GREEN