financial zen

Kind of ironic, but thanks to the guest post at Consumerism Commentary of Zen Habits I came across a post that shares my namesake:
Financial Zen: How to get financial peace of mind

These tips are the ultimate basics to controlling your finances - they keep you sane and aware of your financial state of mind (and prevent the bills from piling up). Check out Zen Habit’s break down - I’ve attached my own comments to his very crucial tips.

1. Pay off your debt. If you’re reading this, this is your goal. It’s my goal. $0 debt! I recommend using the snowball method I posted earlier about.
2.Pay your bills as soon as they come in. Master this one. It’ll save you so much grief (and late fees) which also leads into…
3.Make your payments automatic. I DO NOT recommend having any company having access to your checking or savings. Read the Consumerist and find how badly they can accidentally screw you over because of “automated payments.” However, I do recommend having a bank/credit union that lets you set up bill payments online. I have checks sent out from my bank for everything I get a statement for. No problems - yet.
4.Develop a financial security net. Everyone recommends a emergency fund.
5.Review your finances at least weekly. Every weekend I double check my expenses and make sure I’m on track to paying off my debts (and my bills are on time - this has saved me more than once!) which leads to…
6.Talk about money with your partner. Your plan is only as good as your foundation. My wife is essential in this, and we talk about our finances openly with each other. She’s my other half, and she should know our “state of finances” - it’s even better that she talks to me about it directly, actively engaging in the same behaviors

So it’s a simple list - care to add? What does your spouse do with you in terms of finance?

In true fashion, I’ve stumbled on a jewel of last month at lifehack which directs to Marcus Vorwaller’s blog with these ten great gems:

1. Think daily. Meditate.
-When is the last time you did this? I try to do a little meditation or relaxation at the start of the day.
2. Get in the zone.
-Whatever I’m trying to do, I try to focus on it so it is my priority.
3. Make it a point to do something bold every day.
-It’s easy to regret your awkward conversations but hard to regret the ones you didn’t have.
4. Learn something new.
-I trained my dog to lay down. What have you done that’s so great?
5. Debate something.
-I miss my old few friends that could get together and argue about the most random of topics, or events in our lives.
6. Spend time with a child.
-Pretty soon I’ll be spending a lot of time with a child, but I made a point before to visit my nieces and nephews. I love the wonderful insights innocence gives them.
7. Go outside.
-When it’s nice out, go out. Walk your dog, stretch your legs! Go to a park and walk bare foot in the grass. It’s one of my favorite relaxation techniques.
8. Recognize what makes you happy.
-This is what’s hardest for most people I know. They get too stressed or wrapped up in life/themselves that they no longer know. It becomes more “escapism” than happiness.
9. Stop broken thoughts.
-I’m guilty of this. Disjointed. Broken. Half-complete. I’m getting better.
10. Don’t stress about it.
-This is one tip I can’t help but stress (heh). Don’t stress about it. don’t put yourself in situations where you feel the need to stress. Don’t bite more than you can chew, and if you do, realize you will get through it eventually.

Honestly, they seem to be simple steps - but I think people get so bogged down and wrapped up in themselves (and life in general) that they forget about these things.

Queercents has a great two parter on Jobs, Careers, and Money (Part I, Part II) it made me think of my current state of affairs with my “career” cum “job.”

I entered the company with no degree doing something I had done for a hobby (Web Design) for years - now I was getting paid salary to take part in a Fortune 500 company’s web site(s) (one of many people, I should say). I knew a couple guys here who don’t have degrees and are making decent money - they’ve got a condo, a car, and a dog. I was dating my wife at the time, and it seemed like a good gig, and tho-and-behold! A position opened up! I applied, and after being introduced to my future boss, I was told to put in my resume (and send my boss a copy, directly).

I got the job. (Obviously

This of course lead me to the first professional, dedicated position of my life. Salary, 401k, benefits. Retirement. Career path. Or so I thought. As time went on, I learned new skills, learned new technologies, but was finding myself less and less impressed by my career - I enjoy designing, I enjoy making flyers for friends, making web sites - in my free time. Doing it professionally really took the joy out of it - you’re restricted, and even when you’re given free reign, it’s still not as exciting as I thought it’d be. Implement new code and technologies, find new ways of doing old things. But it’s just not that exciting - it’s my job, it’s what I do. I know the answers, I can tell them code when they ask, I know what’s causing that display error - but it’s not allowing me to grow as a person.

I’ll hold off for now until part II (which I didn’t intend, but this is something insightful for me).