This post is Day 27 Stay out of debt as part of my Happiness series.
It is also number 48 in my happiness list.
Perhaps one area of our lives that often needs great attention, is the need to stay out of debt. Personal debt in our country is currently at a staggering level and there has never been a better time to be wise with our finances. I have learned a little about debt in relation to happiness over my time and I have discovered five main tips in relation to achieving finanical happiness:
1. Understand needs verses wants
2. Spend more than you earn = misery
3. Spend less than you earn = happiness
4. Interest never sleeps
5. A budget is essential
I so love a quote by J. Reuben Clark Jr.:
“Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies;...Once in debt, interest is your companion every minute of the day and night; you cannot shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, or orders; and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it crushes you.”
I have personally felt crushed by debt several times and I know now there is good debt and bad debt. If you are in a situation where debt is controlling your life, there are ways to overcome it. It is possible to restore financial peace. I love the feeling that being in control of my finances brings, the peace in knowing that our house is in order in that area and the security of having a little savings gives.
A big boost in relation to happiness for myself and my relationships within my family.
Recently, I have had the wonderful opportunity to do some more reading about finances when I was sent a book to review written by the lovely Kylie Ofiu from Aspiring Millionaire and now her new site Kylie Ofiu Author of 365 ways to make money.
Kylie knows what she is talking about when it comes to making money. As one of nine children she has grown up in a home learning to be resourceful and practical. All you need to do is check out her blog to know she is one determined and focused lady on reaching her goals of earning some more cash. After all she is an aspiring millionaire!
Her new book is a insightful look into the many different ways that we can bring money into our home. It is a great resource if you currently are in debt and are looking for ways to speed up the process of earning some extra cash. Her book is practical, easy to navigate and informative. It contains ideas that have been tried and tested and some just look like pure fun to try and do at home.
365 Ways to Make Money is broken down into sections for easy application as some ideas range from quick and easy cash making ventures to larger scale opportunities to earn some much needed cash. Her book is not just a list of ideas, each idea is explained in detail and has symbols to help explain what may be required to make it happen.
I love, love, love that there is a symbol system used in this book. Some symbols relate to ideas you can do at home, ideas you need qualifications for and even a symbol that children (under 18 years of age) can undertake to earn some cash. Easy for me to relate to and even a great help for my children to understand when they start reaching the age of wanting to earn some more money.
I can now see myself saying when the cherubs come complaining to me about wanting some money,
'Go and get Kylie's book, 365 Ways to Make Money and pick out a way to make it happen!'
thank YOU Kylie!!!
With a new idea you could try every day of the year, 365 Ways to Make Money will get your mind thinking about getting motivated, dumping your excuses and seeking opportunities to reach your goals. I know after reading the book I started to devise different ideas in my mind on how I could make some extra cash to pay off our home loan a little quicker and to work my way to becoming a millionaire myself.
Thanks to Kylie and Wright Books I have the wonderful blessing of being able to giveaway a signed copy of her new book, hot of the press, 365 Ways to Make Money to a Seven Cherubs reader.
Here are the guidelines:
1. Add yourself as a follower on my blog
2. Open to Aussie residents only
3. Winner chosen by the random number generator
4. Entries close 11th July, 2011
5. For an extra entry share on facebook or twitter and come back and tell me
6. Please make sure you have your email attached to your profile or leave it below
7. Leave a comment below to enter and tell me:
Work! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book!
I don't have 'the best' idea for making money, because I am not rich! lol. But I do make a passive income through my website http://www.family-travel-made-easy.com I probably put a year of good old fashion hard work into it for pretty much nothing. But now that it is established, through advertising I make money on a monthly basis, and this year (3 year) I'm pretty much lucky if I touch it for a couple of hours a month. The internet also works when you are sleeping. that's what I love about the internet, you can go on holidays etc and it will tend to itself.
ReplyDeletede-cluttering via ebay!
ReplyDeleteLike you pointed out , understanding need over want. It mightn't make you money but it will certainly help you keep it a little longer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book!! To make a little money here and there I sell things on ebay which I have had a bit of luck with. Aside from that I don't have any other ideas so it would be good to receive a new idea every day!
ReplyDeleteSelling the items that are cluttering your house that you don't absolutely love or have sentimental value.
ReplyDeleteI've started selling some stuff on ebay and have already made a bit of cash from it.
I have my eye on Kylie's book! Looks like a great read :)
Thanks for sharing your website with us Mandy - great idea to earn a little extra cash. Ebay sure seems to be a hit for making some extra cash and it has really helped me out a certain times as well.
ReplyDeletegood luck with your entries. N x
I think i would benefit from reading this great book!
ReplyDeleteMy idea is that i am crafy so i try my best at creating and then sell at markets.
I've followed you and Kylie for ages. I can't wait to read her new book. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy making money tip is: If you are a stay at home mum and want a little extra cash advertise in the local paper to take in ironing for someone. There are a lot of time poor people out there who would love to have someone do their ironing for them.
Work. Plain and simple. If I didn't work, we'd have no money. The fact that I work gets us money - we just have to work out how to manage it better.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book - might have to check it out myself. :)
If I knew, I wouldn't need the book!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like it was written for me..Ebay is a quick money maker,I also hold a trash and treasure stall about twice a year,sometimes they've been quite successful..Fingers crossed for some financial freedom..xx
ReplyDeleteBree love the idea of getting crafty and selling at the markets - awesome!
ReplyDeleteAlicia - you so need to live near me - I dislike the ironing greatly!!
Mel - great tip - learning the skill to work will bless you for the rest of your life. Well, that is what I keep telling my kids anyway.
Never had a trash and treasure stall. Sounds like fun.
Thanks for your ideas ladies. N x
Every 4-6 months we have a garage sale and/or sell our unwanted items on eBay. It means we can declutter the house, while gaining a bit of cash at the same time. A win-win!
ReplyDeleteAs a SAHM I am always thinking of ways in which I might be able to make a little money on the side while I am not working. I haven't come up with anything yet, maybe this book might help. My idea would be to think of a product or service that is unique to your local area and that you have the skills to perform and then take it from there. I just haven't figured out what this is for me just yet.
ReplyDeleteI have set myself a personal challenge to start buying more things 2nd hand. It's certainly not going to make me money but it will help me to save it.
ReplyDeletePlus I also found eBay brilliant for unwanted baby items. Now if only I could sell my massive stash of MCN I still have sitting here lol.
Love Kylies work.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to have her guest post on my blog this week.
I would love the opportunity to win her book.
I don't have the ideal money making tips to offer. I so need to get my hands on a copy of Kylie's book for some much needed ideas.
ReplyDeleteWe follow a budget every week and pay a weekly amount off all our bills so there is no bill to have to pay when it falls due like the power bill. Great if you are able to keep your bills ahead a month or so in credit so if for any reason you are short one month or need a break at holidays time at Christmas you are in credit and don't need to panic about finding money to pay the bill that is due that month.
makeitdo@tpg.com.au
I have shared about your giveaway on my Facebook page.
ReplyDeletemakeitdo@tpg.com.au
Work out what you're good at and offer your services to others!
ReplyDeleteHey Naomi,
ReplyDeleteI really would love to win this one. Firstly because as a SAHM a little extra goes a long way and secondly because I collect books signed by the author.
As for my favourite money making idea - as I said - as a SAHM a little goes a long way and I am always trying to find just a little extra.
My tried and true is to de-clutter and sell items that are no longer being used, be it by having a garage sale, selling on ebay or even on facebook.
the second is by hiring out my services as an employment consultant (what I was in my before kids life).
I do a lot of household item shopping at op-shops. Children's clothes, blankets, kitchen ware etc. You'd be surprised the deals you can find. We recently bought a beautiful tv entertainment unit that looks brand new for only $65! Sometimes you find real gems and it's a lot better than paying hundreds of dollars.
ReplyDeleteMy long term plan to make extra $ is to offer a declutter / organisation service to friends and family as it's a passion of mine. I'm a big believer in doing what you love and getting paid for it :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book!
I've shared on Twitter (@MarissaRoberts) and my email is marissaroberts@live.com.au. I'm following your blog too!
Sounds like my kind of book!
ReplyDeleteMy tip for making extra money is to choose a business or service that is not a luxury, so that you will always be in demand - when times are tough and the purse strings are tightened, you want to ensure your service can't be cut from the budget...eg, I am a Marriage Celebrant - www.melodiejohnston.com.au. If you are on a tight budget for your wedding, you can cut out all sorts of things - cars, decorations, flowers, but no matter what, you need someone to actually marry you...
I am now following you, and I was sent by Marissa Roberts - saw she had shared your post on Twitter :)
Now, off to check out some of your other posts!
Melodie xx
melodie@melodiejohnston.com.au
My best tip for making money?
ReplyDeleteI think it is to sell off all your clutter and unwanted items.
As they say, one mans rubbish is anothers treasure.
This book sounds like an interesting read, good luck all!
I'm in in the process of starting a little sewing hobby, for a little extra money (hopefully), but also because I really enjoy sewing and I find it almost therapeutic! Being a SAHM, I don't always get time to myself but this is something I love :)This book might come in very handy!
ReplyDeleteAs the kids get older there is so much stuff they don't use anymore. I Love the garage sale, that has been great but I really want to try ebay but it seems there is not enough time in the day...excuses I know lol
ReplyDeleteSounds like the kind of book i really need in my life right now..
ReplyDeleteSelling unwanted goods online or via a garage sale.
I wish I knew the answer to this one! I am trying to start a work at home business and the thing holding me back I think is lack of self confidence. So, to make money, maybe up your self confidence- believe in your self more (yes, you, the writer of these words!)
ReplyDeleteSpend wisely and work hard in office is the best way to make money.
ReplyDeleteWe sell our unwanted things on ebay and have gotten a bit of money from that. We also have no credit cards anymore and only debit cards so we can only spend the money that we do have.
ReplyDeleteI could really use a book like this! Or even one that helps me save my money... ha.
ReplyDeleteMy kind of book! My best way of making money is ensuring that there any spare money is in the bank making interest. Simple but effective.
ReplyDeleterussellcathryn@yahoo.com.au
Liked on facebook.
ReplyDelete