2017 - I Heart Frugal

Year: 2017

My Goal Setting Process: How to Set SMART Goals and Stick With Them

Set Goals & Stick to Them

Goal Setting Process: How to Set Smart Goals and Slay Them Every Time

It is true, any of us can set goals and New Year’s Eve is a popular time to start. There is something about the New Year that makes us feel like we have a clean slate to get in shape, earn more money, or learn something new. But did you know, 80% of New Years Resolutions fail by February? And why is that?

Research shows that people who set goals are more likely to accomplish their tasks but are we all going about it wrong? Why do so many goals go by the wayside after a month or so? Perhaps some goal setting tips will help lower this statistic.

In the goal-setting process, we must first look at how we set goals. Are we just verbally saying we want to do something or are we writing out our goals with a plan of action? Creating a solid plan and putting it down on paper is an awesome way to start.

What are Smart Goals?

Smart goals stand for S-specific, M-measurable, A-attainable, R relevant- and T-timely. When setting goals it is important to be specific and set a standard that can be measured. We will get into this in the post.

You should also look at something that is attainable and relevant to you and your overall goals in life. Lastly, set a time limit to achieve your goals. Using this method will help you achieve your goals and continue to set new goals to become the best version of you.

How Smart Goals Helped My Students

I am a former teacher and my students and I used to set goals every marking period. Yes, this was a fun goal setting activity for me! I loved teaching the little ones how to accomplish a goal, revisit, and set new goals.

But one question I was always asked is “Why set goals?” Since we would revisit our goals every marking period, my best answer about goal setting was and still is we can always become a better version of ourselves. I live by this motto and always have some goals in my life at any given time.

I would teach my students how goal setting can benefit you, not only in school but in any aspect of your life. For example, an adult could set a personal development goal for work and layout some work goals to earn more money or get a promotion. Another smart goal example would be setting health goals to lose weight or work out more often.

You can really set goals for any aspect of your life. I find it is best to break your goals down into smaller steps so you do not feel overwhelmed and give up.

So even if you are doing well and let’s say, got an A last marking period, a smart goal’s example would be to create better study habits or learn more on the subject. Therefore, even if you excel in one area, there is always something you can improve upon to be this amazing version of yourself. -Think positively!

One of the best ways to set a goal is to write it down. In fact, this post includes a goal-setting worksheet to help you on your journey. Goals should also be measurable and you can get started by creating a plan of action. So whether your goal is financial, fitness, or travel success you can do it!

Read more about goal setting here: The Art of Goal Setting

Goal Setting Tip: How Do I Measure a Goal?

What does “measurable” mean? It means you can check your goal at the end of your time frame and measure whether you achieved it or not. Setting a goal to simply lose weight is not measurable. However, by being more specific you will be able to check your progress. For example, you could state your goal like this: “I will lose five pounds in four weeks.” The second goal gives a timeline and a clear amount of weight you want to lose. You are WAY more likely to meet this type of goal than just randomly saying you want to do something.

Suggested Reading: How to Live Your Best Life: 15 Life-Changing Steps

Grab your free goal setting pdf here and let’s get started!

Goal Setting PDF: Goal Setting

Check out the New Year’s Goal Setting Planner here and get 50% off – offer ending soon! Use code NY50

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How to Live Your Best Life: 15 Life-Changing Tips

Live Your Best Life

I’ve always been preoccupied with the saying “Live your Best Life” made popular by Oprah Winfrey and as I flew home from a mini trip with my husband, I looked out the window of the plane. It occurred to me, I was looking at things from a different perspective.

On the ground, I could see the bottom of the fluffy white cumulus cloud, but now over ten thousand feet in the air, I was looking down at the beautiful, cotton balls of glory made of water & dust!

Yes, it is true… If you open your eyes you can see many things from a different perspective, personal finances being one of them. I, once a “stuffoholic,” used to desire many things and thought buying more “stuff” would make me happier.

However, I’ve thus learned the problem with this type of thinking is no matter how much you have, you always want more! Yet, the more you have, the more clutter you deal with and life begins to feel out of control. It can be a never-ending cycle.

We all marry our spouses for different reasons. My husband is a kind, caring person with a good heart. He has taught me many things in our life together, but perhaps the most important is how he prefers experiences over stuff.

My husband would much rather take a trip or take our kids to a new museum than buy a bunch of clothes at the mall. His perspective got me thinking about what we could do to make our lives richer and more fulfilling. Could we all have a goal to live our best life with contentment and happiness? And what’s more, how can we achieve this “best life”?

According to a study done by Nobel Peace Prize winner Angus Deaton happiness peaks at an average income of $75,000 (source Forbes.com). After that, our happiness levels off. Research shows money does not necessarily equal happiness.


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Pinecone Research Review: How to Make Money Using Pinecone Research

Pinecone Research Review

Do you like making money in your pajamas? Are you a stay-at-home mom that would like some extra spending cash? Then Pinecone Research is a survey company worth checking out any my Pinecone Research Review will help you learn if this company is a good fit for you.

Personally, I have made over $100 using Pinecone research and today I am recommending them to you because they are a trusted company that pays in cash or gift cards and pays well in terms of survey companies. They pay $3 for most surveys and sometimes more.

In this post, you will learn how to start using Pinecone Research and earn. Also, you will read about helpful tips and as a bonus, I have included other ideas I love and use to earn extra spending money. There are many Pinecone Research reviews out there, but this pinecone research review will provide you with all the details you need. (more…)

7 Bad Money Habits and How to Fix Them

Bad Money Habits

7 Common Money Mistakes

Alexander Pope’s famous quote “To err is human” holds true for our many species-driven mistakes. However, when we make a money mistake it seems to sting and leave us feeling shame and remorse.

Although money mistakes are as common as the wind blowing the snow, many money mistakes have easy fixes that will keep your money from blowing away from your bank account and wallet. As the snow settles, your financial situation can also settle. In fact, a key piece of our financial happiness is security.

Nonetheless, I’ve made a few money mistakes myself; however, with some careful planning, I was able to bring my finances back into check and you can too!

It always worries me when I see people spending money they do not have. What’s worse is having no budget at all and not taking the time to plan. In the realm of financial health, planning is key.

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Fall Budget Dinner Meal Plan – Two Weeks Under $60

14 Fall Budget Meals

Meal planning is just one of those things I do. I’ve always loved the quote, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This reminds me of the time before I started meal planning. Of course, before I had kids this was no big deal! We could whip something up or order something on a whim. Now that I have two sweet and very hungry,  may I add, little boys I need to know what is going into the oven before “HANGRY TIME” happens.

Oh yes, my friends, there was a time I was way less organized. A time when I had two kids under two and I was pulling my hair out just thinking about making dinner. At that time, I needed a way to make things go a bit smoother in our household. The chaos of dinner time was real (and scary)!

That’s when I had a brilliant -not so new idea – to start meal planning. I’ve always been a budget-conscious person and I would make sure I had enough food for the week, but now I needed to take it to another level. I now had four hungry mouths to feed so I decided to meal plan for two weeks at a time. This saved me from going to a store with two kids more than twice a month. If you are a busy mom, you know exactly why I want to avoid the store with kids!

Why Meal Plan?

Meal planning, as mentioned above, will save your sanity as a parent. However, another HUGE reason to meal plan is one thing I LOVE – saving money. You may think using meal planning is a waste and won’t really save you much, but I have literally slashed my grocery bill in half by using some careful planning. The best part is, it only took me around 30 minutes to plan out two weeks worth of meals and complete a grocery list. It may take your more time the first time, but once you get the hang of it, it is easy peasy. Here are some ways meal planning will save you a ton:

  • Less shopping – less time in the store, less purchased
  • Using a list – using a list helps you stop randomly throwing things in your cart
  • Less waste – plan with what you already have and go from there
  • Less take out – no more Chinese food and pizza runs

Suggested Reading:

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