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Do You Plan to Prosper ?

By
Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty 414-525-0563 57026-90 Broker

pot of gold   Since before we were married....now seemingly a lifetime ago....we have had regular "financial meetings" at our house. When you are self employed...that would seem like a requirement for not only healthy finances but a healthy relationship.  It always seems that one person is in charge of the household money...paying bills.  For us, that is true is well...some on line and some snail mail depending upon the ease and experience of the transaction. Early on when paying on line was a "new thing" there was more confusion that corect....and things got misapplied..this seems to be less and less the case and more savings on postage and check printing.check book

    Working with short sales we know that all the plans in the world won't change a job loss, cancer diagnosis, divorce, death of a primary wage earner...the rainy day, the special emergency fund empties before life turns around and sometimes, a short sale an be the best remedy for a fresh financial start....but I digress.

    We don't pretend to be financial planners...we have people that do the really "big investing". What we do is analyze our marketing plan and sales forecast....and determine our financial obligations and priorities.  We know what our monthly expenses are and when payments are due.  We also have a list of things that relate to the house....improvements...the honey do list,...what the fund looks like for car replacement...new ___________name that thing...inside and out...business and pleasure...computers, vacations, energy efficient research for additions... These days with great interest rates, you may elect to change your 30 year mortgage to a 15 year mortgage...do the numbers....see what's best for you.piggy bank

    The best surprise is no surprise financially....where can you save...open your mind to other possibiities instead of the same old thing that may not be as effective or efficient...install the low flow toliets....attach a rain barrel for the environment...prioritize the honey do list....and make sure you have some fun along the way....celebrate your successes ...we used to that with cheap bottles of champagne when we were newlyweds...Plan the victory party for your financial successes...keep your eye on your goals and revise your plans to meet them....Every best wish for your plans to Prosper ..!

Posted by

Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS


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Comments (16)

Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS
ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group - Worcester, MA
'Helping You Make the Best Move"

Sally and David,

Great blog! Make sense to me!

Aug 31, 2010 11:23 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Great advice to have regular meetings to discuss finances. Thanks for the post.

Aug 31, 2010 11:24 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

 Good sense makes more Cents...!

Aug 31, 2010 11:36 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

My husband and I do sit in monthly meetings to plan out our personal budgets every month. We do plan to prosper. Over the years, what we realized we both want is simplicity. We have over complicated things in the past but now we strive for making our lives align with our priorities, wants and needs.

Sep 01, 2010 12:14 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Good for you Loreena...it's easy to get caught up in the "too much stuff" mode....our new theme is energy efficiency and we challenge each other to find and research ways we can become "greener."  Best wishes...

Sep 01, 2010 12:18 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Sally, I love your comment above....we too have done alot more green stuff over the last 2 years and really feel good about those changes...I must confess, we don't have a budget per se, but we always have lived well within our means and are smart that way...love the post!

Sep 01, 2010 01:07 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Yes, I do plan to prosper... 

Sep 01, 2010 01:20 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

You bet you two...not just plan it...do it..!

Sep 01, 2010 01:36 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

You all have waxed very philosophical lately!!

Sep 01, 2010 02:49 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

wax is best thing of late....older and wiser ?

Sep 01, 2010 02:54 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Depends on what is getting waxed...

Sep 01, 2010 02:56 PM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Sally & David ~ you are inspirational.  There is a lot of thought in your lifestyle and your blog.  Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

Sep 01, 2010 04:09 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Thank yo Dawn....would love to meet you sometime at a KW function !

Sep 01, 2010 10:26 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Sounds like a great plan, and one that could serve as a guideline to others! 

Sep 02, 2010 12:31 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

it's one we have used for a lifetime Laura...or at least since we have been married...this IS a lifetime, hmmm ?

Sep 02, 2010 12:34 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

And put at least 10% of your gross income each year into your savings. I figure if the Church can ask for 10% for God, well then 10% should be good enough for me, too!

Sep 04, 2010 01:59 PM