There is somewhat of a backlash to girls and women wanting to be a “princess”. After all, in this modern world can’t us women be so much more than a figment of prettiness that relies on a saviour in the form of a man?
Well…DUH!! Of course ? I do not aspire to be a Disney Princess nor an actual Royal Princess -that appears like faaaaaar to much work.
What I DO aspire to is the perfect life that most little girls are led to believe that a Princess has.
Waking up in a huge fluffy soft bed ( where even so much as a small pea creates discomfort) surrounded by woodland creatures and twittering birds.
The sun is shining as she slips into a lovely outfit and partakes of high tea in luxurious surroundings. If there is any light work to be done, it is met with a merry song and is never a drudgery.
Her prince is dashingly handsome and treats her with the love and adoration that befits her – and she reciprocates. TOGETHER they live happily ever after.
I guess it is not so much the idea of being a princess as such but rather it is the idea of being the heroine of your own story, whatever that looks like.
I ask you WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH THAT!!!
So… Use the good china, Wear the jewellery, Bathe with the nice soap. Who is more important to use it for than YOU!
Do you have a feeling of dread that there is never enough? or do you rejoice and welcome the possibilities that every dollar can provide?
I am sure you have guessed by now, that I love my money, I welcome it and treat it nicely like I would a trusted friend.
By making money welcome, more will be attracted to you and there will always be enough. Sure, I would like more sometimes, but I very rarely say “I can’t afford that” rather I say “What do I have to do to achieve that”
The act of purchasing anything is always a choice. Even the simple act of buying bread can range from the budget $1.00 supermarket offering up to high end $10 a loaf artisan bread. While I may not buy the artisan bread every day, it is sometimes bought on the weekend as a treat. That artisan sourdough loaf together with slices of good ham and a couple of poached eggs still equates to a far smaller outlay than hubby and I going to a cafe for breakfast.
So how do I do it?
In our personal life, we have been “living on the pension” for a few years now. (you can read about it here)
It is due to this spending plan that we have been able to pay down a huge amount of our debt and will be debt-free (with a luxury car) well before retirement age, which is still over 10 years away for us.
To welcome my money like a friend, I have devised a method of preparation like one might do if they knew a friend was coming to visit and stay a while.
Step 1: Set aside some time to prepare for the visit. Make a time (I do it monthly) to have a look at balances and spending.
Having an in-depth understanding of exactly what comes in and what goes out each month is VITAL to creating a great relationship with your money.
(As a starting point, try using your debit or credit card for EVERY purchase for a few weeks, I know that sounds against what every “guru” says, but seriously who has the time or inclination to track every cent in a book or app for more than a few hours? Having purchased on a card means you can go back and examine the transaction list and allocate where each dollar has gone.)
Once you have an understanding of your spending habits, you can organise a spending plan to accommodate the lifestyle you wish to have. Note that I called it a Spending Plan NOT a Budget. Budget is a word like Diet in that it has a negative connotation and feeling of lack for many people. So have a Spending Plan and a Healthy Eating plan
Your money will not be a burden if it knows exactly where it is meant to go and what its purpose is.
Step 2: Welcome Money When you do see money arrive, welcome it with open arms ( or wallet 🙂 ) Don’t dwell on thoughts that it is not enough. Would you open the door to a friend and greet them with “Oh, It is only you, I was hoping for more”?
Step 3: Treat money nicely. Literally, have a nice purse or wallet to keep money in. It will make you feel abundant every time you remove it from your handbag. Keep your purse tidy, clear out those scraps of paper, old receipts and rubbish. This shows money that it is important and has a clear space to live. Look after bank accounts too, have your emergency money in a higher interest account that means it is working as hard as you are.
These simple things will change your mindset around money and ultimately you will attract more 🙂
Part of the appeal of eating out is often, for us ladies, the fact that we don’t have to cook.
Luckily hubby and I enjoy cooking so that is not such an issue for us. We tend to look for “something different”
Different flavours, different pairings, different view.
We were wandering along our local restaurant strip recently and neither of us felt the compulsion to try anything (and subsequently spend $100 for a “blah” experience). One restaurant has “Italian Lemon Chicken with Garlic Beans” I have had this dish before and it is nice so when I pulled some chicken Maryland pieces out of the freezer for dinner, I thought that is what I will make.
The other appeal of a meal out is the beauty of the meal on the plate. We all eat with our eyes first and it does make a difference to the most basic of meals if you take just a little time to present it on a plate with care.
I like to look at Instagram or Pinterest for plating ideas. The rise of “FoodPorn” Instagrammers means there are loads of examples of beautiful plates of food. You don’t need to copy them verbatim, but take some clues as you why a dish takes your fancy and keep it in mind when serving your meals.
I found this image of a nice chicken dinner to provide some inspiration for my “Italian Chicken”
With just a little bit of “foodie” style elevated what could have been a standard Chicken and Mash dinner into something that felt much more like the experience of a meal out. A glass of my new favourite sparkling wine certainly helped too.
Italian Herb Chicken
2Chicken Maryland pieces
1tbspButter
1tbspOlive Oil
1tspMixed Italian Herbs
2Tomatoes cut into pieces ( or used halved cherry tomatoes)
2Mushrooms sliced finely
1Onion diced finely
1Clove of Garlic Crushed
1tbspTomato Paste
½cupChicken stock, water or white wine.
Shaved Parmesan Cheese for Serving.
Lemon Garlic Green Beans
1Green Beans trimmed to similar sizes
1Clove of Garlic Crushed
1tbspButter
1Zest and Juice of a small lemon
Parmesan Potato and Cauliflower Mash
1Potato (medium)
1Cauliflower piece approx the same size as the pototo.
¼cupGrated Parmesan Cheese
2tbspButter
¼cupMilk
1: Preheat oven to 180 degrees
Melt the butter in a heavy based, oven proof frying pan, adding olive oil to prevent the butter burning.
Add onion and sweat until almost translucent, Add garlic, herbs and Chicken Drumsticks. Fry until the chicken is lightly golden all over.
Pour over the chicken stock, wine or water, cover and place into the oven for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Check that the pan does not dry out. Add more stock if needed.
2: While the chicken is cooking, steam the green beans and boil the potato and cauliflower.
3: When the beans are tender, place into a small pan with butter, garlic and lemon juice. Melt to coat the beans. Keep warm until ready to serve.
4: Mash the potato and Cauliflower together with butter, milk and parmesan. Keep warm until ready to serve.
5: When the chicken is cooked, place the pan on the stovetop after removing the drumsticks to rest. Add the Tomato, Mushroom and tomato paste, stirring to pick up all the bits off the bottom of the pan. bring to a simmer until the mushrooms are tender.
6: Plate up carefully and serve with shaved parmesan and a squeeze of lemon juice.
When you think of RICH does the image of money and wealth immediately spring to mind? For most people it does, but did you know that the dictionary has many definitions of the word RICH and only one has to do with actual money.
However, by following these 3 simple rules, you can become financially rich.
Rule Number 1: Do Not Live Above Your Means.
I think everybody knows their income should be higher than their spending to be able to achieve financial stability. Certainly, my philosophy of making my cash work hard for me has been the cornerstone of creating my “Sunshine Cash” lifestyle
Rule 2: Save Up and Invest
Again the common thinking is to save the balance between your income and outgoings and invest to create further income. Planning income for your future self is a wise decision if you do not to be still working 9-5 well into your 80’s.
Rule 3: Improve on Rules 1 & 2.
It is easy to plan and budget your expenses. The issue comes in the practice. So many have the greatest intentions only to slip back to bad habits in a month or two. It is VITALLY important to keep checking in with yourself and keep yourself on track to achieve your long term goals.
Rule 4: Do Not Apply These Rules to Just Your Money.
To have a truly RICH life, every area of life needs to follow the first 2 rules.
Let’s see how this can be applied to the 8 life areas..
Life Area
Rule 1:
“Do Not Live Above
Your Means”
Rule 2:
“Save Up and Invest”
Financial Wealth
Spend less than you Earn
Save and Invest the left over money after expenses
Home and Environment
Have a home that suits your lifestyle
Maintain your home to keep it in good condition.
Family & Friends
Have hundreds of “Friends”
Nurture and protect true friendships that see you through thick and thin.
Romance / Partner
Be too busy to give your partner time. Taking them for granted
Taking time to connect on a personal level often to keep the spark alive.
Health & Wellbeing
Overeat and don’t exercise
Have regular check-ups with health professionals.
Career & Business
Jumping from one job to the next often.
Creating a long term career that creates job satisfaction.
Personal Growth
Being constantly stressed and busy
Allowing some “Me Time” to create balance and unwind.
Fun & Recreation
Being constantly stressed and busy
Finding time to have fun, engage in a hobby or just relax with friends
Take some time and consider how can you apply the 2 rules to your life in all areas.
One of my less than perfect items was our dinner set. It was a cheap set bought from Kmart and it has worn terribly.
In my perfect world, I would be eating off fine bone china every meal. So why don’t I?
Well, my BS excuses are around that the “Good dinner set is only for special occasions”. “Good china can’t go in the dishwasher” Good china will chip easily” and that “Good china is very expensive”
My mother’s “good china” is a Noritake set she received as a wedding present over 50 years ago. It gets used maybe once or twice a year. I decided I wanted Noritake as my everyday dinner set. A quick look on Facebook showed a lovely 6 place full setting in a nearby suburb for $50
. SOLD!!!
I don’t even care if the dishwasher takes the silver band off it in 12 months or so. At $50 it is cheaper than the crappy Kmart one. So now, for the time being, my dinner set is High Class. It makes every meal feel like a “special occasion”
Does that number strike a feeling of panic and dread, or are you ready for the holiday season?
I have to admit, I am one of “those” annoying people who does not stress about Christmas or the cost of giving gifts. And, yes, I have just about finished my Christmas Gift shopping.
Why?? Well because I buy all throughout the year 🙂
I am fairly lucky in the fact that we do not have a huge family so I only need to buy around 20 gifts.
My husband knows that I cannot pass by a sale table or dump bin 🙂 Invariably I see something and think “Oh! “S” would like that” or “Wow! That would be great for “M”
I have one shelf in a cupboard that we call the “present cupboard” On the inside of the cupboard door is a small whiteboard with all the names written down one side in permanent marker.
Then I fill in the gifts as I buy them in whiteboard marker. That way it is a simple matter to erase the gifts as they get given.
I also know that some of the best gifts can be bought at a bargain price at certain times of the year.
Anything “Christmas-y” can be bought for a tiny fraction of the price just after Christmas. I always buy Christmas paper and cards in the last week of December, often at up to 90% off. Look for such items as paper, cards, decorations for the tree, and themed tableware like plates, bowls, glasses etc. I like to have a supply of Christmas theme plates, cups or glasses that I can use as part of a gift. Make a cake or batch of cookies and display them on a Christmas plate, or simply place chocolates into a Christmas mug and wrap them with cellophane.
The lead-up to New Year’s Eve often brings up good specials on Champagne, Wine and other Alcohol. It can be a good time to buy for birthdays early in the year.
January is the best time to buy stationary, school supplies and office equipment in the “back to school” sales. This is a good time to buy plain-coloured kid’s clothing and running shoes.
February is the time to buy chocolates in the after Valentine’s Day sales.
March -April is Easter, and again after Easter is the time for chocolate and “Easter-y” decorations.
May is Mother’s Day. This is a good time to pick up perfumes, bath sets, soaps, and kitchen appliances.
June – July is a time to keep an eye out for End of Financial Year Sales. This is often the best time to buy big appliances or cars. Any big ticket items often have sales targets to reach and you can very often drive a hard bargain the closer it gets to June 30. Also at this time of year, the Christmas Toy Sales start with the option to purchase on a 6-month lay-by.
August is usually quiet with no major sales happening.
September is Father’s Day and Football grand finals. Father’s Day is a time to pick up gift sets of male toiletries, hardware, BBQ accessories and food sets ( think BBQ sauces and rubs etc), tools, car-related things and the ubiquitous alcohol.
The last weeks of September are another time to stock up on alcohol as the stores prepare for football grand final parties.
October is the Bathurst Car Race weekend, so again there are car-related accessories on sale.
November- December brings sales in the lead-up to Christmas.
I find that by purchasing gifts throughout the year, the strain on the budget is minimal. Our family has a dollar figure to work to for gift giving, so I can regularly spend the recommended amount but give a much higher value gift – eg a $50 gift budget, can result in a $100 value when that gift is bought at 50% off.
Many of us have been raised with the idea of "saving for a rainy day", so we diligently squirrel away savings for a disastrous event.
While it is important to have a safety net backup, "Sunshine Cash" is the complete opposite :) It is the money to have FUN with, money to burn, money to enjoy, and money to LIVE.
It is the formula that has seen me "Rise to Rich" and I can help you do the same.
Where to now? Join me on the Sunshine Cash journey. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for tips and hacks to create YOUR best life.
Oh! Please do comment on my posts. I love to know if something resonates with you, or how you do things differently. I love to hear your stories.
Waking up in a huge fluffy soft bed ( where even so much as a small pea creates discomfort) surrounded by woodland creatures and twittering birds.
Part of the appeal of eating out is often, for us ladies, the fact that we don’t have to cook.
Recently I bought an upgrade…
Does that number strike a feeling of panic and dread, or are you ready for the holiday season?
