Month: January 2014
Tractor Tunes Tuesday
Here’s another edition of Tractor Tunes Tuesday from snowy, cold Maine. This edition is partial inspired by the Grammy’s the past weekend. Enjoy!
1. Radioactive (remix) – Imagine Dragons ft. Kendrick Lamar
2. Drunk in Love – Beyoncé
3. All Too Well – Taylor Swift
4. No Better – Lorde
5. Beachin’ – Jake Owen
6. Give Me Back My Hometown – Eric Church
7. Cop Car – Keith Urban
8. Come To Me – The Goo Goo Dolls
9. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
10. Love Me Again – John Newman
3 Keys To A Great Budget
This past week I happened to go on a date with a guy, who quickly said when we say down, “what’s your budget.” The date’s a story for another day, but the question he prompted still lingers. It got me thinking about budgets and the best way to implement them. That same week, my girlfriends and I had dinner and the topic of budgets came up again in conversation. All married friends, they began to tell me about their discretionary spending and ways they keep track. Some take out their allotted cash for the week from the ATM; some have a debit card where their allowance is solely transferred to that card.
But what makes a good budget? In my opinion, it’s the details and execution that make a budget successful.
Too often when working with people, they forget to include items such as dinner out with the girls or that monthly mani/pedi. To be effective, your budget must be inclusive of ALL your expenses (and income). I tend to use my debit card for all purchases as I can download the monthly activity and put it in my budget. For my business I tend to use one specific credit card (which I pay off at the end of the month) and track it for my budget. Whatever method you use, make sure it’s accurate and captures all your spending habits.
Implementation is also key. I don’t know how many people I talk with that have the best of intentions and start out each year with a budget, but finish the year in a hole. A lot of mistakes I see are people create an over the top and hard-to-use budget that doesn’t make sense for them. The easier you make it for yourself, the easier you’ll stick with it. To be honest, my budget is simply an excel spreadsheet. I have listed revenues (or income) and below that is my expenses to arrive at my bottom line. Sure I take it and do analysis for future projects I want to do or run a future savings plan (my what-ifs). Because of my busy schedule, this is a quick way to keep me on track and faithful. Find a way that works for you and your life in order to be successful at budgeting.
Like with implementation, a budget is only as good as the information you provide and you review. Let’s be honest, you created a budget because of a financial goal you had. In order to reach that goal, you are going to have to review and adjust your budget as necessary. Set aside a certain time each month (or each quarter) and review your budget. I set a reminder on my phone for a Sunday night after dinner each month. We aren’t perfect and as much as I would love to say I stick to my budget, there are months that I may deviate from the plan (and that’s okay). I simply look at my budget for the next month and readjust. There might have been an unexpected expense (like my dog Bentley eating something he shouldn’t have and going for the full work up at the vet) or in a great case, more revenue from your business you took in that month. Whatever the case, don’t get discouraged. Reevaluate, readjust and carry on.
So whatever your long-term or short-term financials goals, budgets are a great tool. Remember to be honest about them, implement them and review them. You’re sure to get there!
Why I Say “No”
There was a point in my short, young life where’d you always hear me say “yes.” Can you help me move my cattle, “yes.” Can you read my paper, “yes.” Can you stay late to work on this project, “yes.” The people pleaser in me would jump at anything or anyone to help out. Always remembering “yes” as it rolled off my tongue easier than my own name. That was until I learned the word “no.”
To clarify the word “no” had been in my vocabulary long before. As a child, when my parents asked me to eat my vegetables it was always “no.” As I got older I’d seem to have lost the word from my growing vocabulary.
It had always been ingrained in my DNA to work hard and do the best at whatever I chose to do. A theory that was further drilled into me during my college years and then upon entering the corporate world.
Working late at the office was nothing out of the ordinary. Sometimes I would have been the first one in and the last one to leave at night. Making sure every last report was completed and checking on my colleagues.
After several years and many burnt out tax seasons, I realized that if I didn’t change my way of thinking, it would soon change me. That’s when I reacquainted myself with the word “no.”
It wasn’t that I would turn down friends when they asked for help or only work the bare minimum when it came to work, it was balancing my life. I’ve learned by prioritizing yourself, you can better help others. I cut out a certain part of every week for myself, to help me unwind and recharge. If there is some social commitment I want to attend, I go. If someone needs assistance, I create a schedule we both can live with. As a result of my new found word, I haven’t received any backlash or judgement. People have respected my decision and know that if they need help or want something done, it will get done – just at my time/pace. Compromise is key!
As I’ve gotten older, the more and more responsibilities and tasks I have taken on, which makes the balancing act oh so important. By saying “no” to certain things it has allowed me the opportunity to further my passions and be a better person to everyone and everything I do. So next time you are feeling stressed or burnt out, remember you can say no.
Tractor Tunes Tuesday
I’m back! After working a busy close the past few weeks, I am back ready to blog. Look for new material in coming days, but until then, here’s the latest installment of Tractor Tunes Tuesday.
1. Good Girl – Carrie Underwood
2. Hey Pretty Girl – Kip Moore
3. Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People
4. Chase A Little Love – LoCash Cowboys
5. Stay – Rihanna
6. Walk This Way – Run D.M.C
7. Losing My Religion – R.E.M
8. One – U2
9. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Rolling Stones
10. Someone Like You -Adele
Tractor Tunes Tuesday
Sorry my post is a little late today. I am in the middle of “busy” season at my corporate job. At last, here is my latest installment of Tractor a Tunes Tuesday.
On repeat this week:
1. Eric Church – Homeboy
2. Johnny Cash – Hurt
3. Haim – Honey & I
4. Julie Roberts – Break Down Here
5. Zedd – Stay The Night
6. Bad Suns – Cardiac Arrest
7. Lorde – Team
8. Brantley Gilbert – Bottoms Up
9. Blake Shelton – Doin’ What She Likes
10. Tyler Farr – Whiskey In My Water
Tractor Tunes Tuesday
Here’s what I’m listening to this week.
1. George Strait – Run
2. Katy Perry (f. Juicy J) – Dark Horse
3. Frankie Ballard – Helluva Life
4. Dallas Smith – Tippin’ Point
5. Lorde – Royals
6. Joe Nichols – Sunny and 75
7. The Civil Wars – Dust to Dust
8. Luke Bryan – Play it Again
9. Dierks Bentley – Bourbon in Kentucky
10. Imagine Dragons – Radioactive
My Top 4 for Entrepreneurs
Over the past couple years of my life I have accomplished a lot. I bought two houses, started a company, grew and expanded my farm, finished my Master’s degree, moved up the proverbial corporate ladder, worked on development of two new companies, ran for a public office (and won!), got appointed to the board of a non-profit and at not even thirty years old – I’m just getting started.
People often ask me my advice on how to start a company or what makes an entrepreneur successful. While I don’t have all the answers, here are my top four words of advice for any entrepreneur in any industry.
Make mistakes – People will tell you not to invest in that or that you have to do this. If you don’t follow what you want to do and make your own mistakes, you will never learn. It’s better to say “I tried and it didn’t work,” rather than “I didn’t try at all.” Make your own mistakes.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – diversification is key. Always have a back-up plan, an exit strategy, and something to fall back on. Take risks but be smart.
You are not “self-made”- There is no such thing as a “self-made” millionaire, entrepreneur, etc. There have been people along the way to help you get where you are today. It could be your parents and a $50 loan, a teacher that believed in you or a friend who spent hours on your crazy idea. Whether you’re on the top of the world or climbing the ladder, don’t forget the ones who helped you get there.
You don’t know everything – There will always be someone bigger, stronger and smarter than you in this world. Be humble, ask questions and never stop learning.
The High Heeled Farmer 