CentsAble Chat

Live The Life!
The life you want…on your terms
What does your perfect life look like? A big house? Fancy cars? Investing? Philanthropy? More time with family and friends? Goals vary from person to person, but if there’s no focus on what you really want, how can you possibly know what you need? Budgeting plays a major role in your planning because it helps you pay for your daily life, while preparing for your future life.

Look Into The Future
Budgets show where your money goes
A budget breaks down your money and helps you plan for its use. Unless you’re born into wealth, it’s hard to live the life you want without a budget, because money flies out the window, making it hard to get a handle on spending and saving habits.  

Be Passionate
Turn your passion to money
There are a gazillion people who work at jobs they can’t stand but have a hobby that lights them up and brings them happiness and fulfillment. How great would it be to make a living doing what you truly love? Budgeting lays out how you might get there by giving you an aerial view of your finances. How much you need to get started and make, how much to purchase equipment and operate. Perhaps a side hustle is necessary, or a strategic investment. The only way to live the life of your dreams is to plan for it.

Change Is Good
Bad habits require change
Bad spending and saving habits work against a desire to live the life many want and getting older doesn’t help because that usually means more financial responsibilities. But change is possible! It may mean sacrifice by taking on a side job, cutting back on going out and knocking out debt. The good news is that these changes lead to your ideal life.

Ah, To Be Young
Don’t waste an opportunity
Teens and young adults are favored with time and should take advantage of it. While mom and dad are footing the bill, you can explore your interests, find out what you’re good at, or find mentors and create a network of people that you can benefit, who can benefit you in turn. Once you’ve got a clear vision of the life you want and what you need to get there, think about what you can do, today. Take classes, find volunteer work in your area of interest. Get a job and start saving. Become an entrepreneur! Today, you’re in complete control of how you spend your money.

Debt – The Great Destroyer
Avoid debt at all costs
If you’re looking to strip away opportunity, just get into debt. Life never goes completely as planned, that’s why it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund – it’s a necessity. Without it, you’re destined for debt and debt destroys choice. If you want control of your life, to live completely on your terms, avoid debt at all costs. It is possible to live debt free. What’s the secret? Shift from the “buy now, pay later” mindset to “save now, pay later” and always live within your means.

Life on a budget is good! Whether it’s a financial or food budget, it’s empowering, freeing, calming and exciting! It changes the way you think and dream – and the decisions you make in response to those thoughts and dreams. “CentsAble” Bobbi compares budgeting to dieting and shares ideas for using both to reach your goals.

If you’re restricting your spending today, it’s for a specific spending purpose tomorrow or somewhere in the future. A budget is simply a breakdown of your money and a plan for how you want to spend it.

Life on a budget doesn’t mean you have less money, it just means you’re choosing to only spend a certain amount for one thing, so you have enough to spend on another – as opposed to just spending because there’s still money in your bank account. That’s mindless spending, and it causes a lot of stress down the line, when you realize there are still other things you need to pay for, which you didn’t think about in the moment, and there’s no money left.

The beauty of the budget is simply that it keeps track of all those other things you need to pay for, so you make financial decisions with less stress. And you can use it to hit your financial goals like paying off debt, saving for a vacation, anything you want! This is why I love budgeting!

Budgets are not a one-size fits all! They’re very personal, and should reflect your values and goals, as much as your wants and needs. The budget that works for one may not work for another; there is no right or wrong when it comes to your budget – it’s purpose is to help you achieve your best life!

Life on a budget! Try it! You might like it!

How can parents teach their kids to budget? And why should they? “CentsAble” Bobbi shares more of her interview with Neale Godfrey, Author of “Be Money Smart in Tough Times” who shares some great tips and strategies to help your kids master their financial future.

Think tax breaks are only for the rich? Think again! “CentsAble” Bobbi details tax breaks that are perfect for teens and young adults with low income!

The thought of buying your first car can be exciting, but the process can be daunting for parents and the kids they’re helping to buy a car! Financial Literacy Advocate, Harsimran Chohan shares her first car buying experience, while “CentsAble” Bobbi shares tips for getting prepared and creating your car-buying budget.

Back-to-school shopping is a great time to teach your kids the value of a dollar, smart spending and saving – while giving them incentive not to break the bank! “CentsAble” Bobbi outlines an easy 4-step challenge to make this year’s shopping experience a win-win!

Teachable moments are everywhere! Learn how to recognize and use them to teach your kids financial literacy, with the help of Financial Literacy Advocate, Harsimran Chohan and Creator of the “kids and money” topic, Neale Godfrey.

Kids, are you financially prepared for living on your own? CentsAble Bobbi talks about the importance of financial literacy, to prepare for life after mom & dad. You’ll also get viewpoints and ideas from Author/Speaker Neale Godfrey and Rishi Vamdatt, co-creator of EasyPeasyFinance.com.

Financial habits are created early in life and can shape our relationship with money for a lifetime! A listener shares their personal experience, which shines a light on the need for financial literacy. CentsAble Bobbi shares ideas for rebounding from financial hardships, at any age.

Interest rates may seem like a boring topic but understanding them can save you a ton of money – and even create passive income streams! “CentsAble” Bobbi walks you through interest rate characteristics, how they work and how you can use them to better your financial life – with a little help from EasyPeasyFinance Creator, Rishi Vamdatt!