Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Now you have base $ / STACK YOUR DECK!

10 ZERO-COST WAYS TO INVEST IN YOURSELF THIS YEAR

# 1 – Take A Free Online Course And Learn A New Skill

Just because a course is free doesn’t mean there isn’t any value in it. Quite the contrary.

You can learn a brand new skill that can lead to a new career for free. You can also find courses that can help you move up in your current job if that’s what you want to do.

# 2 – Read A New Book Per Month (From Your Local Library)

It’s hard to believe but a little over eight years ago I got extremely interested in personal finance. Someone had told me about Dave Ramsey and so I decided to get a copy of his book The Total Money Makeover.

After reading that book, I was so enthralled with personal finance that I went to the library and one-by-one read every single personal finance book they had. This almost instantaneously had a positive impact on my finances and even spurred a side gig writing about personal finance. All this started with one free book.

Lately I’ve been reading fiction to try and spur a little more creativity in myself.

Don’t underestimate what reading books can do for yourself. Go the library and check out at least one new book each month.

# 3 – Take Advantage Of Free Workout Videos

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get into shape hold off on the gym membership. According to Statistic Brain the average monthly cost of a gym membership is $58 and a whopping 67% of memberships go unused!!!

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with having a gym membership the truth is more than half of people won’t use theirs after the first month. Instead of splurging on the gym try free workout videos at home.

If you can stick with your home workout videos for more than a month then consider a gym membership if still desired.

# 4 – Start A Side Business

Starting a side business is one way for you to increase your income and explore alternative career opportunities this year.

The most amazing thing about side businesses is that well, they’re done on the side! Finding a new way to earn money will cost you nothing but your time.

Ready to get started? Check out some of these posts for inspiration:

# 5 – Eat Healthier Food

Last year was the first year that I really started paying attention to what I ate. I grew up in a home where Pepsi was what we drank and supper consisted of meat and potatoes. I had never given much thought to what I was putting my body.

Only last year I had major energy slumps almost every day. I never felt “right” and knew there was opportunity for improvement in my health.

I tried a Whole30 and have pretty drastically changed what I put in my body. While it was tough at first I am so glad I stuck with the healthier habits and reaped the results.

Focusing on your health can be done inexpensively and is an area of improvement that will have a positive impact on all other areas of your life.

# 6 – Organize Your Home

Scientists have linked clutter to the inability to focus, an increase in mental stress, depression and even fatigue – affecting women more than men. If those aren’t good enough reasons to get organized this year then I don’t know what is!

Organizing your home is something that you can do in your free time and without spending a dime. Depending on the amount of clutter you have to deal with the initial cleanup process might feel stressful but after things are put in their places the rewards are enormous.

Aside from just receiving the mental benefits of an organized home you’ll also save money. Here are some statistics from the National Association of Professional Organizers:

More than half of Americans think they have $1,000 or more of unused stuff sitting in their homes
Americans spend $24 billion dollars each year to store their things

(You can read some more very fascinating clutter statistics here. Some will blow your mind!)

# 7 – Start A Budget

There’s a good chance that if you’re reading this blog you’re into improving your finances. If you haven’t already done so, starting a budget and tracking your expenses is a great start to better money management.

To get started set up a spreadsheet or use software like Personal Capital to track your spending over the past few months. From there you’ll be able to see what categories your spending lies and what needs adjustment.

Here are some helpful posts:

# 8 – Contact One New Person Per Week

“Your network is your net worth.”

The first time I heard that quote it made me cringe. I instantly thought of men and women dressed in business suits with fake smiles plastered on their faces walking around shaking hands of strangers like they’re politicians. But…..the more I’ve thought about this quote the more I realize it’s true.

Almost all of the work I’ve landed over the past few years has come from developing relationships with others. And not just shallow, I’ll scratch your back you scratch mine, type of relationships but ones that have been built off time and trust. Without these connections I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.

If you want to move up in your career you’re going to need the help of other people, which means you need to network! Try contacting one new person per week via email or phone. Go to lunch with new people and look for ways to genuinely connect with others in your field.

# 9 – Make a Get Out of Debt Plan

If you have debt make 2017 the year you get out from under it. Creating and implementing a get out of debt plan is one of the best thing you can for your finances, especially if you have high interest debt.

# 10 – Have a Weekly Goal Setting and Check-Up Day

Planning your week is one surefire way to be more intentional with your time and accomplish more this year. Having a day every week where you set goals and check up on yourself can help you do this.

Pick a day and time for planning and goal setting. Doing this will have a profound impact on your life this year.

*Sounds too simple doesn't it? Leave anyone not moving in a constructive direction alone.

The college investor Alexa Mason