Blog: Take The Stress Out Of Housecleaning
What does it 'Really' Cost Us to Live
This week, let us spend some time cleaning up our spending habits. We can take a straight-forward look at where we waste money, how to change our spending and put more money backing our wallets.
We really don't know how hard we have to work in order to have all of the luxuries that we want. Those luxuries, aren't boats, motorcycles or vacations. They are things like snack foods, soda and alcoholic beverages etc.
Try this, take what your take home pay is and add all of the luxuries that you purchase (just during your next weekly shopping trip) and then divide the total into your pay check and see how long it is that you had to work for that money. It will amaze you. You worked pretty hard for that bag of potato chips when you could have had something less expensive.
Now, if you really want and eye-opener, figure out how much money you 'really' earn an hour and 'no' it isn't the amount on your pay check!
Take the amount on your paycheck 'before' taxes,
Subtract all of your taxes, income, social security etc.
Don't forget to subtract union dues, this has to do with work,
then subtract (-) the amount of gas it takes you to go back and forth to work
now subtract any work clothes, shoes or basics that you need for your work
we aren't through yet
Now subtract day care or babysitter expenses
And don't forget to subtract lunches (you would eat different if you were at home).
The final amount, is what you actually make per hour!!!
This will make you think twice before spending money and will help you to conserve more.
Sometimes we lose track of the things that are really important, like spending time with our family, instead of spending money on a movie. In this type of an economy, we need to reevaluate our lifestyles and change them to a simple way of life, by doing this, we aren't depriving ourselves, we are enjoying life more.
Take a look at your list. Are there any surprises? Can you see the areas that you can cut down or eliminate expenses? Are there things that you can easily do without? Sure there are, we all have them, if we didn't, we wouldn't be human. Let's face it, we all make mistakes, the good thing is that once we see them, we can correct them!
Take a look at things that are in your home! Do you really use everything that you have or is it clutter and stuff? We tend to accumulate 'stuff' that later becomes clutter and eventually junk. Just think, can we borrow this from someone else instead of buying it. Can we get a book from the library or 'free' on the internet instead of spending money.
Now that you see what can be done, spend the next month watching what you spend and seeing how much fun you can have by enjoying each other instead of 'stuff'!
Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer that helps you find ways or organizing your life the easy way. Get her free pamphlets and checklists and join her monthly newsletter.
posted on: 10/3/2008 10:00:00 AM by Jan Hayner
category: Homes
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Take The Stress Out Of Housecleaning
by Jan Hayner
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About Jan:
Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer and the creator of www.organizingandcleaning.com filled with tips and hints on home organizing and house cleaning shortcuts. After years and years of making mistakes and wasting money she has used her own experiences to help take the stress out of life. There are so many shortcuts to cleaning and organizing, that when you apply them, you will have time for the fun things in life!
Jan's Website:
http://www.organizingandcleaning.com
Fun Things To Do
- Fishing Lake Michigan
Whether it is by boat or off the pier, there is nothing like getting that first Coho or King.
- Grandchildren are fun
Making memories for your grandchildren of all of the fun times they had with grandma and grandpa is one of the best memories you will make for yourself too.
- Camping
A tent, a firepit and sitting in the woods is a campers dream. We spend a lot of time camping in Northern Wisconsin and I have tons of camping recipes to share.
TV Shows
- American Idol
I am hooked on this show, nothing interrupts me when this is on. By the time they get to Hollywood, I already have the top ten picked out.
- Last Comic Standing
I love to see how these people, take the judges advice and change their tactics to become great comics, instead of just a comic.
- House
Now really, isn't he the kind of doctor you want on your side? He always has a reason for his actions, he looks until he finds the cure and he has flaws just like the rest of us.
- Any home make over show
I get some of my best ideas off of these shows and I also find things that I wouldn't dream of doing to someone elses home. I will admit, there are times that I wish they would call me and ask for my help!
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