Personal Finances – How I Achieved More Money Than Month

Are you familiar with the phrase “More Month Than Money?” It means running short of money either before the end of the month or before your next payday. It’s a condition with which most wage earners are familiar. It was my problem for many years.

I’ve been married to Lois Lane for more than forty years. We raised two daughters. I’ve had several “careers,” and, I’ve always had a decent income. What I didn’t always have was an effective way to manage my income. I’m not an accountant; just a breadwinner who, when I first got married, couldn’t make the ‘bread’ go far enough.

The Early Years

For about the first ten years of our marriage, I used trial and error money management. Even though I had a good job with a decent salary, I never seemed to consistently have enough money to both pay my bills and for day-to-day expenses. One payday we would have more than we needed; the next we would run out of money long before the next paycheck. It was a continual financial rollercoaster. Sound familiar?

Like most people, I had not received any kind of formal or informal training to prepare me for the awesome responsibility of managing my income to effectively support a growing family. I was on my own with no financial roadmap as I searched for any type of a money management method that would work for me. I was looking for a way to both pay my bills on time and to smooth out the amount of spending money available between paydays. I’m sure you can relate to my quest.

I tried budgets and found that keeping track of every penny spent was something I didn’t want to do. My budgets started off great, but they didn’t last long. I tried bill consolidation loans and, after doing several, realized that consolidation loans by themselves are not the answer. They served only to increase my debt instead of helping me to control my finances. Keep in mind that this was all happening over 30 years ago; well before the advent of personal computers. There were no software options for personal financial management. I was on my own.

My First “System”

Over the years I gradually, without any premeditated idea of what I was doing, developed a system for paying my bills which also evened out the highs and lows between paychecks. These were the two features of a money management system that I wanted. This “system” was nothing more that a consistent way of looking at my finances twice a month. I was doing this all on scratch paper with no formal structure.

It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when my very simple approach to cash flow management evolved into something I could use consistently. All I can say with certainty is that while I was paying bills one month it dawned on me that what I was doing on scratch paper could somehow be organized into formal records.

After experimenting with forms design over a couple of months, I managed to create a system of forms that replaced my scratch paper. (Remember, this was in the mid-1970′s; several years before the advent of the personal computer.) With my new forms in place, my informal system had matured to the point that I was able to pay my bills when due without financial strain, and I had a consistent cash flow for day-to-day expenses. I was quite pleased with how my own personal money management “system” had turned out. It was a process that I, nor anyone else to my knowledge, had ever seen or used.

A Friend Gave It A Try

A friend of mine at the time, Fred Thornton (not his real name), became interested in my little system of forms. I had been telling Fred how pleased I was with the effectiveness of the process. My friend was also searching for a better financial scheme. He had an excellent income, plus a generous monthly dividend from a trust fund that his grandparents had set up. Despite his above average income, Fred’s financial condition was characterized by “more month than money.” He had large credit card and charge account balances to which he forfeited substantial interest every month. In addition, Fred was constantly concerned about his ability to pay his bills. He was in the same boat I had been in. At his request, I agreed to create a set of my forms for Fred to try.

After I copied the forms and instructed Fred on the methodology of the system, Fred became very dubious that my set of forms would be any help at all. After he initialized his forms to reflect his financial situation, it was painfully clear that Fred’s finances were a disaster. According to the forms, Fred was in very bad financial straits; bad enough that he doubted his ability to ever get his finances under control. In addition to doubting the usefulness of my forms, both Fred and his wife were afraid that using the system would put unwanted restraints on their lifestyle the same way budgets tend to do.

The Turnaround Was Amazing

Despite their concerns, Fred and his wife decided to give my system of forms a try. They had nothing to lose. Their finances were in such bad shape that they doubted my system could make things worse. The results they achieved so quickly amazed all of us.

After using my system of forms for less than three months, Fred’s finances had stabilized. All of his credit card and charge account balances were under control to the extent that he no longer paid interest on any of his credit cards or charge accounts. Furthermore, Fred and his wife were very pleased that their concerns about having constraints on their lifestyle proved groundless. They were actually able to begin pursuing many interests which, prior to using my system of forms, had been too expensive. As Christmas approached that year, the Thorntons were able to do virtually all of their gift buying without incurring any debt. In the eleven years they had been married, that was the first Christmas that they got through with virtually no additional debt.

The amazing turnaround in Fred’s finances was nothing short of incredible. Because of the original set of forms I had provided to Fred, his finances quickly went from “more month than money” to “more money than month.” After using my “system” for a few short months, Fred found that he was consistently faced with the pleasant problem of having excess income every month. His income had not changed, only the way he managed it.

The Word Began To Spread

My and Fred’s success with the original set of forms was difficult to keep secret. It wasn’t long before I was receiving inquiries from both people I knew as well as strangers; some of whom were out of state. Since I couldn’t make copies of the forms and personally instruct everyone on how to use them, I decided to write a how-to book. The resulting three-ring binder, titled Payday Management System, was self-published in 1975.

Without exception, everyone who purchased a copy of that first book had the same success in gaining control of their finances that Fred had experienced. I began receiving letters from very pleased customers. Sales were slow since all advertising was strictly word of mouth. But, it appeared that, given enough time, sales of the Payday Management System could have taken off. So why haven’t you heard about that first book in the last thirty or so years?

At the time I was still very much involved in my military career and had no time to be a book publisher. Shortly after publishing the Payday Management System, I was transferred to my next tour at sea. Before heading for my ship I put the book aside. I went off to sea and forgot about it. I continued to use the money management techniques; I just didn’t have the time to share them with others.

Fast Forward To Today

It’s now more than thirty years since my personal money management system was formalized in a crude set of hand-drawn forms. Since then, the personal computer has become very much a part of a growing number of peoples’ lives. I decided a few years ago that it was time to update the original book and to convert the manual forms into a personal computer program so that I could again begin sharing this powerful money management process. I was now a software developer with much experience and figured I could easily convert the Payday Management System manual workbook to a Windows program. Boy, was I wrong.

After several years and more false starts, I completed the first version of my personal finance program in the fall of 2006. Expressing the simple techniques that comprised the original Payday Management System proved to be a far greater challenge than I first thought. Those techniques are powerful in their simplicity; and I soon discovered that preserving that simplicity in a technological venue was not easy. But, version 1.0 of the software is finally done. I’ve been using the program for several months. It makes managing our month-to-month finances very simple and easy.

Dennis was invited to speak on Channel 8 “Good Morning Singapore” on 3 July 2009 (Friday) 7.30 am to share about some of the concepts in his book “Mastering Your Personal Finance” 如何做个理财掌门人. PS this is the First Chinese/English Book on Personal Finance in Singapore. What are the things he shared? The topics shared include: Can Average Singaporean become Rich? Why Do the Rich get Richer? Can it be due to they have a different mindset from the average person? What is the mindset of the Rich? To ger Richer, you need to increase your Financial Literacy? What is Financial Literacy? Do you need to be very good in Mathematics to have Financial Literacy? The Average person like to DIY, do you know that this can be one reason that actually hinder them from becoming Rich? What are the basic steps a person need to take to start on the path towards Financial Freedom?
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Debt Management Tips-How Baby Steps Can Free You From Debt

Debt Management Tips-Why Take Baby Steps?
Common wisdom teaches that if you are in debt that you should pay the debts with the highest interest rates first in order to avoid finance charges and pay less money in the long run to becoming debt free.

Another school of thought regarding debt management is that you should pay the smallest debt first. The idea is that when you see those smaller debts marked “paid in full,” it creates optimism and a sense of progress for the one in debt that enables him to keep going until all of the debts are paid off. This snowball effect is a great motivator and might help you win your debt-free status.

Debt Management Tips-Build An Emergency Fund
Prior to beginning your blitz on debt, accumulate an emergency fund equivalent to about two months of expenses. By doing this step first, you will ensure that when the inevitable emergency arises which requires cash, you will have the money to cover it without creating more debt for yourself.

In order to save that much money quickly, consider overhauling your budget, selling off possessions or taking a second job. The faster you accomplish this step, the faster you can begin your debt management plan in earnest.

Debt Management Tips-Keep A Progress Chart
When you have your emergency stash of cash, you want to focus on the smallest debt and pay as much as possible on that debt every month until it is paid off. It is okay to pay only the minimum payment on the rest of the debt during this process.

Your goal is to get that first balance down to zero as soon as possible. Keep a chart of your progress. Often, a visual reminder of your progress is a great motivator and the same is true when you are attempting a serious overhaul of your debt management plan. Just like stickers for young kids in school when they do a good job, any visual reminder of what you have accomplished can keep the momentum going.

Once you have paid off one small debt, re-focus your efforts towards the second smallest debt. You should take the money you formerly used to pay the first small debt and add it to the minimum payment on the second smallest debt. Be systematic in your efforts towards debt management and you will find yourself in a debt-free situation sooner than you can believe.

The important thing to remember though is not to waste all this hard work. Never let yourself get in the same debt situation again. Once the debt is paid off, start saving money and planning for the future and continue with a positive debt management and avoidance strategy.

Understanding Texas Divorce helps you through the process! This video will prepare your for your first visit with your lawyer to discuss your divorce.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Accounting Careers: Promising Opportunities and Tips

Accounting or accountancy is one of the most promising types of profession today. It is always in demand and the career opportunities here are huge. If you are considering a profession as an accountant, then you will definitely see that this will change your professional life.

First of all, you have to know how you can start in the accounting field. Here are some tips that will be able to point you the right way to success.

The first thing that you have to do is decide on the field of accounting that you are interested in. There are basically lots of different fields in the accounting career and you will surely find the right one.

It is also a good idea to research about information related to accounting or accountancy, such as the college or university you are going to take the course in. You have to consider that companies are quite picky when it comes to the college or university that accountants graduated in. Also, by doing this, you will be able to know which college or university offers quality education particularly on accountancy.

Try consulting accounting professionals and teachers who are knowledgeable about the subject. They will be able to give you a lot of information coming from their experience.

If you plan on pursuing a career in accounting, then you have to enroll in a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Even if you are good in accounting, you can never have a good job if you don’t have at least a bachelor’s degree.

After graduating, don’t set your ambitions too high. Always remember that everyone starts small and work their way up to their goals. Start off as a junior accountant or as a trainee. This will not only give you a chance in the accounting career, but it will also provide you with valuable experience as well as knowledge about accounting.

Always remember that accountancy is a continuing education. As much as possible, you have to update your knowledge about accounting in order to keep up with the standards of the industry.

As mentioned before, there are lots of career opportunities in accounting. There are many fields of accounting and it is up to you to choose which one you want to take on as a career.

After college, you will be able to qualify for a certified public accountant or as registered public accountant license. Even though you can still get a job as an accountant even if you don’t have any license, you have to remember that more opportunities will open up if you have one.

In this profession, you can become an auditor, a management consultant, a financial officer, an analyst, and even as a tax accountant.

Being independent or being a freelancer in this field can also be a promising career. However, you do need a good network of contacts in order for you to earn more money and get more experience.

You can also try other specializations in accounting, such as forensic auditing where you will be responsible for investigating crimes related to company’s finances as well as tax fraud.

Another great career choice for accountants is by simply becoming a teacher of accounting. This is a very rewarding career choice.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of career opportunities for accounting or accountancy. All you need to do is follow the mentioned tips and you can be sure that you will be well on your way in to becoming a successful accountant in the field you choose.

Visit BusinessEnglishPod.com to download this video and others covering more business ESL vocabulary. This Business English video ESL lesson introduces English vocabulary for finance and accounting related to the key concepts of GAAP.