Money Goals? How to Ditch your Debt Monkey and Live FREE

Is ‘More Financial Security' on your list of goals this year?

As with relationships, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to personal finances.

I must confess and I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’ll come clean right here: I am not a money expert.

I did manage to expertly outsmart the Debt-Monkey who was having a party dancing on my back every month. He’d grown so heavy, he nearly crushed the life right out of me.

Until one day, I read Dave Ramsey’s, Snowball Method of Debt Reduction and the penny FINALLY dropped...pardon the pun. There it was... A methodical, stepping-stone process to achieve freedom from debt...and so simple even I could do it. Miracle!

I can confirm this much: the day I became 100% Debt Free ranks right up there with... graduating as an Ontario Scholar, falling passionately in love, becoming a wife, becoming a mom, launching my own business, booking my very first paying client... Yep...THOSE Life Experiences.

Staggering elation.  A feeling of freedom I’d never experienced otherwise to this very day...and I’m nearly a half-century old!

So, here’s the thing... If I could do it...You can too because I’m going to give you the Gold Keys to unlock your debt shackles. The very same ones I followed myself so you too can Ditch your Debt Monkey once and for all, become 100% debt-free and embrace your financial freedom.


Key #1 - Pay Your Credit Card Balance In Full Each Month

The Credit Card Monkey is a wiley one.

Carrying a balance forward will only make him heavier with each month and eventually, he’ll crush the life right out of you too. I know this because he was dancing on my back for years!

Paying the cards off slowly takes massive discipline, but You Can Do It with the Snowball Method of Debt Repayment. (https://davidbach.com/latte-factor-backup/)

Do whatever it takes to make this first Key your new urgent goal and pay off your credit cards as quickly as possible with a methodical plan.

Here are some suggestions to help. I used all of them. 

• Follow the Snowball Plan 
• Apply for a low-interest credit line. 
• Adopt and follow an extreme frugal-spending plan

Paying those cards off is a 20% return on your investment after tax. That is the best-guaranteed return you can get. 

After the six-week interest-free grace period, if you’ve left even a few cents unpaid, you’re charged 20% interest from the date of every purchase.

Stop the insanity. Stop using your credit cards. Switch to a cash-only system until the full balance is brought to zero. It’s possible. Believe it. You CAN achieve it.

Key #2 - Make ‘Frugal’ your new Best Friend

Not forever maybe, but certainly until your Debt Monkey is conquered. People all over try to look rich with the expensive car, designer clothes, fancy trips, and the unattractive attitude that goes with it. 

Most wealthy people become that way by being frugal with their money habits and rarely spend frivolously. They respect money and are low-key about it. They understand that the value of a dollar is much more than just that dollar.

Take, for instance, your daily Tim’s or Starbucks habit.  If you’re like most Canadians, you spend $5.00 a day on take-out coffee.

Consider for a moment what that little luxury actually costs you annually. $1,825 is what it costs over a year, but have you thought about what you have to make in order to spend that much of your household’s disposable income?

I’ll bet you’re dying to know!

You’re going to love David Bach’s Latte Factor tool to find out exactly what your coffee is costing you. Your entertainment and take-out lunches will blow your mind too, but the Gold Key Tip with this one is to spend within 80% of what you make.

Leading us nicely into Key #3 - Pay Yourself First.

Nothing new here, right? Financial advisors and gurus have talked this one to death, but it’s an important key. Automatic Millionaire, David Bach’s Gold Key Tip: set up an automatic monthly investment of 10 to 20% of your before-tax income to keep it simple.

Will it be tough at first? Absolutely.

Will having financial security in your retirement years be worth it?

Well...take a moment to consider NOT having enough financial security.

What does THAT look like for you?

And then...figure out the most you can invest each month. And then... just start. Don’t put it off. Don’t wait. Begin it.

Key #4 - Create Wealth ~ Be an Investor

Financial wealth is created with long-term investment practices rather than short-term savings. Save for a trip you want to take, a car to replace the rattle-trap. Save for a weekend getaway to reward yourself for a goal you’ve achieved.

Invest for the security of your future.

Investing can be a little scary. As a recovered “spend-every-penny-made and then some each month math-phobe” who thought retail therapy was part of growing up and leaving the bills unopened was normal - I completely understand.

Thankfully, there are qualified, trustworthy advisors to help. Find one who’ll create a plan to help you achieve your life goals - including retiring comfortably. They’ll help you grow your assets and manage your wealth. Be a long-term investor.

Key #5 - Develop Your Financial Plan

Creating wealth doesn’t happen on its own and it doesn't happen overnight. 

It takes planning, specific intention, and focused effort. Find a fee-for-service financial planner and pay for a professional financial plan specifically tailored to your needs and goals. This one-time investment will pay off massively.

A good financial plan includes:

• A retirement savings plan - RRSP's
• A tax-free savings account
• A mortgage pay-off plan
• An education fund for your children
• An emergency fund for security

The plan should also consider how to manage and balance it all.

It doesn’t matter where you are with your personal finances. Now’s the perfect time to sit down and sort them out - and get to a better, more organized place.  If you’re married... do this with your partner and set a 'Money Date' once a month. Outline your goals. When you begin talking about what you want to achieve and create for your future, it’s easy to design a plan that’ll lead you there.

If you’d like some help putting together a plan to get that Debt Monkey off YOUR back once and for all - along with a proven process on how to do it, contact me for a complimentary Ditch Your Debt Monkey Strategy Session and learn how YOU can be 100% debt-free.  

About the Author:

Andrea Raco, is a Certified Success and Life Enrichment Coach, Founder of Coach for Life and Curator of Gold Key Club ~ a private community for Ladypreneurs, Supermoms and Sisters making a difference in the world.

For more information about her services, visit www.coachforlife.ca.

Why You Should Be A Canada Proud Canadian Too - Or Happy We're Your Neighbour.

Happy Birthday to YOU, Canada  

Have I told you how much I love my country? 

July 1st marks Canada's Birthday and to honour the birth of our nation,  here are just a few reasons why I feel fortunate to be Canadian.

And if you're not Canadian too, do not despair... here's why it's great to have Canadian friends and neighbours or why you should add us to your 'Must See' list sometime soon.

FEATURES

Canada is the second-largest country in area and has more than 36 million people but we also enjoy the world's fourth-lowest population density per square kilometer.

There are plenty of wide-open spaces and breathtaking views to behold.

We share the world's longest undefended border with our neighbours to the south, stretching an astounding 5,525 miles.

Wildlife and Natural Resources

There are approximately 2.4 million caribou sharing forests covering 30% of the country.

More than 15,000 polar bears find sanctuary within the Canadian border.

Water, Water Everywhere - and plenty to drink!

20% of the world's freshwater can be found in Canada and there are more lakes in our country than the rest of the world combined, not to mention one of the most impressive natural wonders of the world.

Lake Huron's Manitoulin Island is the world's largest island surrounded by freshwater.

Wasaga Beach is the longest freshwater beach in the world.

NOTABLE CANADIAN INVENTIONS

• The telephone
• AM Radio
• The walkie-talkie
• Plastic garbage bags
• Peanut butter
• Poutine (Heaven on a plate!)
• Nanaimo Bars
• Ginger Ale
• Coffee Crisp
• Crispy Crunch
• Alkaline batteries
• The snowmobile
• The snowblower
• 5-Pin bowling
• Hockey
• Basketball

BUSINESS

Incorporated in 1670, the Hudson's Bay Company is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world.  

The Bank of Canada began as a privately owned institution in 1935, and the Royal Canadian Mint, located in Winnipeg, produces coins for 60 different countries.

Canada is the third-largest producer of diamonds in the world, and 77% of the world's maple syrup is produced right here in our country.

Canada has a world-class submarine fleet that is used solely for tourism. Atlantis Submarines of Vancouver, BC owns more submarines than many countries have in their entire naval fleet.

Whitewater West  Industries in Kelowna makes most of the world's water slides and is the largest water park attraction company in the world.

The majority of Halls cough lozenges are produced in Scarborough, Ontario.

McCain Foods makes a third of the world's frozen French fries and 95% of the world's green lentils are exported from Saskatchewan.

We can't forget our National Icon, Tim Hortons.  

Founded in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1964 by the Canadian hockey player Tim Horton, this coffee shop has grown to become the largest quick-serve franchise and is known around the world for its coffee and donuts. 

Boasting a total of 4,846 restaurants, today, Tim Hortons happily serves loyal customers in 14 countries.  

Canadian maple wood baseball bats are a Major League favourite.

Toronto, Ontario-based Cervelo builds the world's fastest and lightest bikes, and New Brunswick-based Sabian produces the world's very best cymbals, which are distributed to 120 countries and are the percussion accessory of choice for drummers and band members worldwide.

Peterborough, Ontario, is home to the impressive Lift Lock 21, one of 44 locks connecting the 386-kilometer-long (240 miles) Trent-Severn waterway from the south-eastern point on the Bay of Quinte on eastern Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.

This engineering marvel allows boaters to enjoy pristine waters, breathtaking views, and life at a slower pace.  

And who can tire of views like this one: 

This then there's award-winning shot was taken off the back deck of our boat approaching a gorgeous anchorage at Beckwith Island, Georgian Bay.

As impressive as our country's landscape is and as innovative as Canadians are, I believe Canada's very best feature is and always has been our people.

Canadians are world-renowned as Peace-Keepers and respected for our kindness, compassion, and politeness and THAT RIGHT THERE makes me one Canada Proud Canadian.

Oh, Canada.  I love to travel, but I'm always so grateful to come home to you.  Happy Birthday to you - our home and native land.

Now it's your turn:

1. If you're Canadian, what do you love about our country?  
2. If you call a different country home, what do you love about it? 

We'd love to learn more about where you live.

andrea@coachforlife.ca

About the Author: 

Andrea Raco, CPC, Founder of Coach for Life, Curator of Gold Key Club & the Coach For Life Connections Community, is passionate about helping women design and build the life and business they love.

Contact her for your Free 'Ready For More' Strategy Chat today.  

3 Toxic Mistakes to Avoid as the Leader of Your Business

Leadership blunders can make or break the success of your organization.

Whether you're leading a business or a household, you set the tone and the standards.

You create the environment.

The way you talk to others, behave, respond to challenges, solve problems, treat your customers, clients, colleagues, and associates sets the example. Everyone else follows the leader.

Avoid these 3 toxic practices, and you’ll be Golden.

1. Criticism

There’s no such thing as constructive criticism. Choose to avoid being critical.

Think back to the last time you were criticized. Did you enjoy it? How did it make you feel?

No one likes to be criticized. Criticism destroys confidence and the self-image of the recipient. It makes them resentful, defensive and demeans them.

Mistakes happen. 

When they do, rather than lay blame, point fingers, and try to pin the error on the culprit, focus instead on finding a solution.

Excellent leaders remain unruffled in a tense or challenging situation.

2. Condemnation 

I still hear mom scolding me: ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.'

The lesson doesn’t stop being relevant once we graduate from kindergarten.

Avoid condemning or speaking badly about others behind their back.

Somehow, someway, the person we talk negatively about finds out, and the positive environment you’ve worked so hard to create doesn’t stand a chance.

Instead, find solutions.

• Commit to excellence in service
• Create superior quality products
• Find ways to sell them ethically and more effectively ~ a far wiser investment of your time and energy

3. Complaining

Isn't it funny how complainers are always looking for something to complain about?

Usually, negative ninnies band together, and the gossip mill can get out of control.

Complainers feel inferior, powerless, victimized, inadequate, angry, and resentful ~ why do you think they keep complaining about everything?

Leaders won't allow complaining to continue and risk poisoning the environment or the organization, or the household, for that matter.

Instead, take active measures to solve the problem.

• Open a dialogue with those who are angry
• Invite ideas
• Brainstorm solutions
• Recognize positivity where possible

Avoid complaining at all costs

One of the very best leadership strategies you can use to create a culture of empowerment and positivity is to make a concerted effort to build self-esteem, self-respect, and self-confidence in your team members.  Here's how:

• Smile more ~ you'll be more approachable
• Choose to have a positive attitude
• Compliment your team at every opportunity
• Recognize the behaviour and results you want
• Reward achievement, progress, and excellence

Until next time, make every word count.

Andrea Raco,
Your Personal Success Coach, for Life.

Now it’s your turn.

What qualities do you feel are most important for an effective team leader and why?
Please leave your comments below.

A Gift For You

If you'd like to do some focus work on how to build an awesome team or network marketing business, contact me directly. I have a library of assessments, tools, and processes that we can use to systemize your business and save you time and money.

Better yet, why not schedule a Complimentary 'Dare to WIN at Network Marketing' Strategy Session with me?


By the end of the call, you'll be more focused, have an action plan, and a free resource to help you achieve your goals for Ultimate Success.

Andrea Raco, is a Certified Success and Life Enrichment Coach, Founder of Coach for Life, and Curator of Gold Key Club and Coach For Life Connections, Wife, Mom of 4, Breast Cancer Survivor, and lover of LIFE.

For inspiration to design and create Your Masterpiece Life or a Business YOU LOVE, (your 'Dream' Business - not a 'Scream' Business) contact andrea@coachforlife.ca

3 Helpful Keys to Creating More Time and More Joy In Your Life

Who ACTUALLY has enough time in their day? If I were standing on a stage facing an audience of 30,000, I likely wouldn't see many hands waving.

Since we all have the same number of minutes and hours, how is it that some get a zillion things done, while others have a challenging time ticking off just one or two items on their 'To Do' List? 

If you're one of those people who fall into category B - where there's never enough time in a day.  Truth be told though - you actually don't have a 'lack of time' issue, what you have is a time management issue and I have some solutions to help.

Try these specific strategies to get the absolute most from every precious moment.

Key #1:  Release the Notion of Time Scarcity - Have Laser Focus Instead

Everyone wants the secret to creating a balanced life.  

So many of us buy into the belief that there's just not enough time in a day. And we use that lie as a way to defend ourselves from obligations.   

Here's an important question to consider:  

How often do you respond to a request for your time from your kids, your partner, your teammates, or even silently to yourself with the following:  

• I don't have enough time.
• I can't possibly squeeze that in today.
• I just don't have enough hours in a day.

Here's the truth:  We all have the same number of hours in a day.  The difference is how we choose to spend those hours and minutes.  

Stop using 'Time' as an excuse. It's actually a completely invalid one because we always make the time for the things we consider imperative.   

Let’s be completely honest:  If it’s not getting done, it’s because we really haven’t made it a priority or we simply don’t want to do it.  Understanding those two possibilities will eliminate the time excuse.  What we prioritize, we make time for. 

Instead of saying “I don’t have enough time,” consider that there's an abundance of time.  

Believing that you have enough time will dissipate your feelings of frustration and 'lack'.  

Rather than thinking of all that has to be done, think of the one thing that you can do RIGHT NOW – and do it with laser focus.  

No matter how many things you have to do, whether it is three more or three hundred more, there’s really is only one thing that you can do right now.  If you can do that, it can help you to be much more present...and effective.

Pick one thing.  Work on THAT.

Key #2: Cushion Your Timelines with Planning

By giving yourself a buffer zone and scheduling in more time to get projects done than you think you'll need, you'll immediately reduce your anxiety level

Projects, errands, tasks, meetings, appointments, travel time – pretty much everything tends to take a little longer, sometimes even significantly longer, than we anticipate.  By factoring in a buffer to absorb those unpredictable amounts of time, we immediately relieve the pressure.

Here’s how to achieve this:  

• If the meeting starts at 9:00 am, aim to be there for 8:45
• If you think you know how much travel time you'll need to get to an appointment, add in an extra 20 minutes for good measure
• If you arrive early, just use those minutes wisely - plan the rest of your afternoon, organize your schedule, manage your e-mail, review your notes, perfect your speech, walk the stairs for some added exercise, meditate for clarity or relaxation

The point is, you’re there – calm, cool, collected and in control as opposed to flustered, stressed out, full of anxiety, and little good to anyone – including yourself.

Key #3:  Conquer Time-Suckers with Mindset

We all want more time and more freedom to be able to do the things that we want to do when we want to do them.   What’s the first thing we do when we get a little bored?  Whenever we have free time, we kill it by grabbing the cell, jumping onto our social media feeds, or flicking on the news for our daily dose of negativity.  

The next time you’ve got a few minutes, try one of these options instead: 

• Breathe deeply, meditate, visualize
• Take a look outside and notice the stunning beauty all around you
• Talk to your kids. Teach them something useful, a skill that'll server them in their independent future
• Take a walk or bike ride through the park
• Go fishing or watch the birds
• Research something that interests you
• Plan your next vacation
• Set your sights on some incredible goal you've dreamt of as a child and plan your action steps to achieve it

Whatever it is…be present in the moment and take some time to be grateful.  

Appreciate the beauty that your incredible life really is. 

When you shift from a place of stress to a place of gratitude, you’ll be amazed at the incredible things that happen and how much more you'll love your life.

andrea@coachforlife.ca

About the Author:

Andrea Raco, is a Certified Success and Life Enrichment Coach, Founder of Coach for Life, and Curator of Gold Key Club ~ a private community for Ladypreneurs, Supermoms, and Sisters making a difference in the world.

For more information about her programs and services, visit www.coachforlife.ca.

Would you like something a little more focused and personal?  I'd be delighted to chat.  

Contact me directly to schedule your FREE 'Slay Your Time Dragon' Strategy Session.  Together, we'll design a customized Daily/Weekly/Monthly planner that will fit all your 'big rocks' in and even create more time for you health care and self-care.  

Time = The True Currency of Life

Would all of your troubles disappear if only you had more money? 

Maybe you focus on optimizing your health.  After all, if we don't have our health, what do we have?  

What about enough love?  Of course, feeling loved and appreciated is vital. If we don’t feel love in our life, something significant is certainly missing.  

Where does faith, or your beliefs and values, rank in your list of priorities?  

The truth of the matter is that each of these elements is critically important for us to feel fulfilled and satisfied with our lives. 

Faced with the possibility of running out of it a while back, I came to understand TIME as the most important element - our most valuable commodity. 

Time is the canvas upon which our entire
masterpiece of life is painted.  

We all battle time.  We strive to get just a little bit more of it and aim to manage it more efficiently.

Without having enough time we feel harried, hurried, stressed, and flustered.
  
If you'd like to elevate the quality of your life, here are a few proven strategies to help you make the most of your time.

1.  Do What You Love

Your life is yours to create.  

Each day, you make choices about how to spend your time. We do our best work when we're centered, focused, and when we feel connected and supported.

You can design your life so that, for the most part, you’re doing things you enjoy.  Choose a career or business that ignites your passions and lights you up, and you’ll never “work” another day in your life.  

2.  Associate with Positive People 

What more can you do to make the most of your time?

You can choose to spend time with people who encourage and inspire you.  Dedicate your time to those you love and those you love spending time with.  

When it comes to family and colleagues, you may not always have complete freedom of choice.  You probably don't love spending time with your negative uncle or your nit-picky boss.  

Simply limit the amount of time spent with those who don't lift you up or share your values.

3.  Be Aware.  How are you showing up? 

Stop trying to multitask.

Yes...I said that.  

I'm talking to the moms I see chattering away with the cell in one hand, and juggling groceries, the car keys and the baby carrier in the other while trying to get the van open.  

I'm also talking to the busy business owner mindlessly eating lunch at their desk and reviewing month-end accounts while clearing out the email and making a sales call.  Stop.

Instead, focus on one thing and be present.  

To increase your ability to focus, turn the phone off and step away from the laptop or tablet.  Not all the time, of course, but during specific focus times for 45 to 90 minutes intervals each day.

Practice devoting your time and attention to the actions you’re engaged in or the people you’re engaging with, even when you could easily be focused on the running 'To Do' list.  

When you're at home, focus on your family, making dinner, the household repair, or the task at hand. 

When you're at work, pick one project and focus on completing it.   

Your productivity will soar and you'll be amazed at how much pressure is eased by managing your time this way. 

4. Check Your Attitude

Of course, we all have responsibilities and can't always engage in activities we love.  Every now and then there are things we must do that we don’t absolutely love. 

You can transform the quality of how you feel about those activities by simply adjusting your attitude about them. 

Here are some examples to illustrate:

Who loves to clean toilets?

I absolutely DESPISE cleaning them. (3 boys. 'Nuff said)

Who loves a clean bathroom?

I love a pristine, sparkly loo just like everyone else does. 

Who loves doing laundry?

Laundry ranks with toilet cleaning and pulling weeds on the domestic chore list. 

I do like that my kids wear clean clothes to school every day.  I LOVE the luxurious spring breeze fresh scent of a clean bed, especially after a long, busy day!  

See how you can adjust your mindset so you'll feel good about almost everything that must get done...even if it's something you don't enjoy doing?

You can even become completely present at this moment so that you enjoy reading this post by saying to yourself:  "I'm going to get everything I possibly can from this article and apply it to improve my life." 

By focusing on how you use your time as a resource, all the other areas of your life will be impacted in a positive way. 

Until next time, Make Every Second Count. 

Now, it's your turn...  

If you'd like to do some focus work on time management, I'd love to help.

Schedule a Complimentary 'Slay Your Time Dragon' Strat Chat with me?By the end of the call, you'll be more focused, have an action guide, and a plan to get the absolute most out of every minute so you can design and create the life you love

About the Author: 

Andrea Raco, is a Certified Success and Life Enrichment Coach, Founder of Coach for Life, Creator of 'Your Masterpiece Life' ~ a program designed to help you build the life you love, curator of Gold Key Club and Coach For Life Connections, Wife, Mom of 4, Breast Cancer Survivor and lover of LIFE. 

Contact her today to help you design and create Your Masterpiece Life.
andrea@coachforlife.ca