SOME people plan their holidays better than they plan their lives - a quote I read recently, author unknown. This quote reminded me of how important it is to have a spending, sharing and savings plan. A sharing, savings and spending plan is a tool to help you reach your dreams. It isa plan for you to tell your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. Another way of saying this is a "cashflow forecast" - which means you put on paper a record of telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. If you are one of the New Zealanders who are spending $1.14 for every dollar you earn then this is the first step to taking charge. Start by collecting all the information you need. This can take some time, checking out how much your insurance is, car licensing, rates, and water rates etc. Doing this is a great way to collect all your information and have it all in one place. It does take a bit of time but many people find it to be a very worthwhile exercise. As you gather the information you will get a real picture of what you are spending your money on. Many adults who are financially sick view a sharing, savings and spending plan as something that limits or restricts them. But really it is a wonderful tool that will help them plan for their future. The bottom line is, if you don't know what expenses are coming up and plan for them accordingly, you could find yourself in a position where your money is controlling you instead of the other way around. "Most people don't plan to fail, they fail to plan". You can get a copy of my fact-finding form from my book, download from my website or email me to sylvia@silbo.co.nz Sylvia's book, Parents: How to stop your kids from going broke is available from www.silbo.co.nz, Paper Plus Stores, and Christian Bookshops. She is also available to speak with business and community groups and give tips on how to raise financially savvy kids.
