Balanced FI Podcast

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 42 - How to Make the 52 Week Savings Challenge Work for You

The 52 Week Savings Challenge is a simple method for saving a large amount. Making smaller deposits each week will help you reach your savings goal amount by the end of the year-long challenge period.

Print out one of the trackers included in this article for monitoring your savings progress.   You don’t have to start your challenge at the beginning of the year, but the $1000 and $5000 Savings trackers are set up to accumulate those amounts before Christmas.

FIND US:

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RESOURCES:

Read: How to Make the 52 Week Savings Challenge Work for You + Free 52 Week Savings Challenge Tracker Downloads

Read: The Financial Security Steps: Welcome!

Read: Financial Security Step 2a: Save a Mini Emergency Fund

Read: Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for Retirement

Read: Financial Security Step 6: Create a Budget

Read: Financial Security Step 3: Save for Recurring Expenses

Read: Financial Security Step 7: Pay off Debt

Read: Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency Fund

Read: Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement Contributions

Read: Financial Security Step 10: Choose Your Next Financial Goal

Read: 30 Day Challenge + Free 30 Day Tracker

Sign up: Balanced Family Financial Fix waitlist

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 41 - The Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Moms of Young Kids

These Mother’s Day gift ideas for moms with young kids are guaranteed to score the dads out there some major brownie points. We all know it’s Dad’s job to buy Mother’s Day gifts when their children are young. That also means there’s more pressure to buy a great gift.  Mom is going to appreciate anything directly from the kids. It’s on Dad to buy something that shows his appreciation for all she does.

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: The Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, for Moms of Young Kids

Read: 5 Tips for a Frugal Christmas

Read: 6 Ways to Have a Frugal Valentine’s Day

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 40 - How to Start a Virtual Bookkeeping Business, based on my own experience in starting one. I’ll walk you through the major decisions you need to make, step by step, to get this side hustle off the ground. 

The most important reminder is to not fake your qualifications; don’t pass yourself off as a bookkeeper with no knowledge or experience.

We’ll cover the basic steps, like

• Decide on a business name & business type
• Register with your state & the IRS
• Open a business bank account
• Get liability insurance
• Train on bookkeeping practices & software
• Decide what services to offer
• Set up your tech

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read- How to start a virtual bookkeeping business

Read- It’s Not Easy Parenting a Child with Disabilities

Read more- Debt Payoff Journey

Read more- Financial Security Steps

Resource- Choose a business structure

Resource- About Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification

Resource- Register your business

Resource- Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online

Resource- Intro to Accounting Training Course

Resource- Quickbooks

Resource- National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers

Resource- Google Drive

Resource- Dropbox

Resource- Trello

Resource- Asana

Resource- Monday

Resource- Adobe Acrobat

Resource- Squarespace

Resource- Wordpress

SOURCES:

Buy- HP LED monitor

Buy- Wireless keyboard & mouse combo

Buy- Dell Inspiron laptop

Buy- Lexmark color laser multifunction printer

Buy- Logitech Pro webcam

Subscribe- Quickbooks Online

Buy- Microsoft Dynamics

Subscribe- Xero

Subscribe- FreshBooks

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 39 - Investing Terms 101: Basic Investment Terms You Need to Know

Understanding a few basic investment terms is a step forward on your journey toward financial security. 

Investing can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be. Thousands of people actually invest others’ money as a job…. but it’s also something literally anyone with money can participate in.

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read- Investing Terms 101: Basic Investment Terms You Need to Know

FREE download- Investing Terms 101 Fact Sheet

Read- Smart Ways to Use Your Stimulus Money

Read- Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement Contributions

Read- Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for Retirement

SOURCES:

Source- The S&P 500 and How It Works

Source- J.P. Morgan Glossary of Investment Terms

Source- Investment Terms Everyone Should Know

Source- Basic Investing Terms You Should Know

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 38 - The 20 Best Money-Saving Life Hacks

Planning for your money, conserving, meal planning, and more… little changes can lead to big improvements in your finances. 

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read- The 20 Best Money-Saving Life Hacks: Ways to Save Money in Everyday Life

Read- 4 Ways to Be Intentional With Your Money

Read- 7 Steps to Find Your Motivation For Debt Payoff

Read- 10 Ways to Make Saving Money Fun

Buy- Meal Planner Printable Bundle

Read- I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your Budget

Sign up- Intentionally Debt Free

Read- Financial Security Step 1: Track Your Expenses

Read- Financial Security Step 7: Pay off Debt

FREE Sign up- Debt Payoff Planner

Read- Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for Retirement

Read- Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency Fund

Read- Financial Security Step 10: Choose Your Next Financial Goal

Read- 3 Ways to Use Meal Planning to Save Money

Read- Top Tips for Frugal Activities

Read- 5 Quick Questions to Ask Yourself Before Purchasing

FREE Sign up- Money Makeover Challenge

SOURCES:

Source- Want to control your spending? Try the 30-Day Rule

Source- Save Money Easily with the $5 Savings Challenge

Buy- CyperPower Energy-Saving Surge Protector Power Strip

Buy- Krups Coffee Grinder

Buy- Steam Espresso Machine with Milk Frother

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 37 - Quick Tips for a Frugal Wedding

The average cost of a wedding in the US is around $30,000. That’s an awful lot of money to spend on one day. 

If you’re looking for more affordable alternatives, there are many ways to plan and host a frugal wedding without going into debt. These ideas will allow you to do something meaningful with your partner and celebrate your love in a way that doesn’t break the bank.

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read- Frugal Wedding: Celebrating Your Love Without Going Into Debt

Read- I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your Budget

Resource - Trello

SOURCES:

Source- Average Wedding Bill Hits $30,000

Source- This Gorgeous DIY Costco Wedding Cake Only Cost $50 to Create

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 36 - Gather These Documents for Your Tax Prep

Hopefully, you’re planning ahead to make sure your taxes will be filed in a timely manner. 

Whether you’re preparing your own return or paying a professional, some documents are needed for taxes, and you need to make sure you have all of them gathered up.

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read- The Most Important Documents Needed for Taxes

Resource- IRS Standard Mileage Rates

Read- Financial Security Step 4: Calculate your Net Worth

SOURCES:

Source- Rules for Claiming a Dependent on Your Tax Return

Source- How Do I Choose the Right Tax Filing Status?

Source- Tax forms you may receive

Source- Changes to charitable giving rules for 2020

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 35 - Struggling to Talk to Your Spouse About Money: 3 Simple Steps to Help

Money is a big part of marriage, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. The 3 steps to discussing your money with your spouse are:

• Talk about your current money situation
• Talk about your current money feelings
• Talk about how to change your money

Tips for making these things happen included!

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: Struggling to Talk to Your Spouse About Money: 3 Simple Steps to Help

Read: Financial Security Step 6: Create a Budget

Read: Financial Security Step 4: Calculate your Net Worth

Download: Debt Payoff Planner

Sign Up: Frugal Year Challenge

Read: How to Set Financial Goals for 2021

Read: Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency Fund

Read: Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement Contributions

Resource: Keep These 5 Resources on Financial Abuse Bookmarked

Join the Waitlist: INTENTIONALLY DEBT FREE!

SOURCES:

Source: This common behavior is the No. 1 predictor of whether you’ll get divorced

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 34 - Amazon Hacks for Making the Most of Your Account - even if you’re not a Prime member. 

Amazon has taken over so many areas of life, but some of those features are super helpful. Although some of the things we discuss require a Prime membership, some are still available to non-members. 

Taking advantage of all the features of your Amazon account just makes good sense. 

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: Amazon Hacks for Making the Most of Your Account

Resource: CamelCamelCamel

Read: 5 Tips for a Frugal Christmas

Read: 4 Unexpected Ways to Save Money

SOURCES:

Source: Amazon

Source: ‘I'm not a robot’: Amazon workers condemn unsafe, grueling conditions at warehouse

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 33 - The 4 Cs of Credit: What You Need to Know

Although you probably haven’t heard of them, the 4 Cs of credit are:

• Capacity to pay the loan back
• Capital
• Collateral
• Credit score

Improving one or all of these areas can greatly improve your odds of being approved for a mortgage or getting a better interest rate.

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: The 4 Cs of Credit: What You Need to Know

Read: Do You Need a Credit Score While Debt-Free?

Resource: Experian

Resource: Equifax

Resource: TransUnion

Resource: Loan Savings Calculator

Resource: National Foundation for Credit Counseling

SOURCES:

Source: What’s in my FICO Scores?

Source: What Is a Credit Score, and What Are the Credit Score Ranges?

Source: How Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 32 - Frugal not Cheap: 6 Things You Shouldn’t Skimp On

The cheapest option isn’t always the best option - it might not be safe, efficient, or long-lasting. Instead, you shouldn’t skimp on these things:

• Safety things
• Baby safety things
• Shoes
• Anything sleep related
• Dog food
• Insurance 

Listen to find out why!

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: Frugal not Cheap - 6 Things You Shouldn’t Skimp On

Resource: Vehicle History

Resource: NHTSA Safety Issues & Recalls

Resource: VINCheck Lookup

Read: 3 Big Ways to Save on Baby Stuff

Resource: Zulily

Resource: 6pm

Buy: Tempur-Pedic Mattress Topper

Buy: Hushh Portable White Noise Machine

Buy: Cosy House Sheets

Buy: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

Buy: Bose Sleepbuds

Read: 6 Easy Self-Care Ideas for Busy People

Buy: Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Dog Food

Sign Up: Frugal Year Challenge

SOURCES:

Source: Business Insider: 15 Things You Should Never Skimp On

Source: WiseBread: 15 Things You Should Never Skimp On

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 31 - How to Find Grants to Pay Medical Bills

The American healthcare system isn’t just un-user-friendly, it’s very expensive. Grants and financial assistance can help you avoid financial hardship or even bankruptcy. 

This episode covers where to find grants and other assistance, how to negotiate with medical providers, and how to organize everything to stay sane. 

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: How to Find Grants to Pay Medical Bills

Sign up: Money Makeover Challenge

Resource: I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your Budget

Resource: The Ultimate Guide to Appealing Health Insurance Denials

Resource: Charity Navigator

Resource: USA Grants

Resource: Social Security Disability Benefits

Resource: Medicaid

Resource: Medicare

Resource: VA health care

Resource: FaxZero

Resource: United Healthcare Children’s Foundation

Resource: 11 Organizations That Will Help You Pay Your Medical Bills

Resource: Help With Bills

Resource: OneMain Financial: How to Pay for Medical Supplies You Need

SOURCES:

Source: 'I live on the street now': how Americans fall into medical bankruptcy

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 30 - 3 Simple Gratitude Prompts for Your Holiday Season

The holidays can be hard for so many, making the focus on gratitude even more important. Askin yourself 3 simple questions can help you find the good in your day. 

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: 3 Simple Gratitude Prompts for Your Holiday Season

SOURCES:

Source: How to Practice Gratitude

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 29 - All You Need to Know About Keeping Fun in Your Budget

Setting aside a bit of money each month for fun, frivolous purchases helps you stay on track financially. You’re less likely to completely blow your budget when you know you have already planned for your hobbies and random habits. 

This episode goes over 

• why you need to budget for fun
• how much to set aside
• how to actually make a fun money budget part of your life 

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: Fun Money Budget: What You Need to Know

Read: Financial Security Step 6: Create a Budget

Read: Financial Security Step 7: Pay off Debt

Read: Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement Contributions

Read: Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency Fund

Sign up: Bill-Balancing Bootcamp

SOURCES:

Source: 50/20/30 Method Is Perfect if You’re on a Budget… but Still Have a Life

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 28 - Do You Need a Credit Score While Debt-Free?

You CAN live without a credit score, once you’re debt-free… but life is a lot easier with a good credit score. A credit score is helpful for renting a home, establishing new utility services, applying for certain jobs, getting a mortgage, property insurance in some states, life insurance rates.

Using credit wisely and carefully can help you get and maintain a good credit score. There’s one important caveat here - don’t even attempt limited credit card use unless you are well accustomed to living without a credit card. You need to treat your credit card like a debit card. 

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: Do You Need a Credit Score While Debt-Free?

FREE Annual Credit Report

Read: Financial Security Step 4: Calculate your Net Worth

Resource: sign up for the Frugal Year Challenge

SOURCES:

Source: Living Without a Credit Score

Source: Can You Buy a House With No Credit?3

Source: Dave Ramsey Says You Don’t Need a Credit Score. 5 Reasons That’s Nonsense

Source: What is a credit score?

Source: Getting Utility Services: Why Your Credit Matters

Source: What to Know About a Credit-Based Insurance Score

Source: When does debt fall off your credit report?

Source: Does your credit score affect your life insurance premiums?

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 27 - 5 Tips for a Frugal Christmas

Gift-giving doesn’t have to bankrupt you. To save money on Christmas, consider:

1. Simplifying your giving list
2. Planning ahead and making a budget
3. Shopping sales & looking for cashback
4. Making gifts
5. Giving second-hand gifts

To make next year less stressful, save for Christmas throughout the year

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: 5 Tips for a Frugal Christmas

Resource: Draw Names

Resource: Rakuten

Resource: KiwiCo

Resource: Poshmark

Resource: ThredUp

Sign up: Intentionally Debt Free waitlist

SOURCES:

Source: 4 Gifts for Christmas: How to Make Your Family Happy With Less

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 26 - How to Find Good Mental Health Care That Fits in Your Budget

Whether you do or do not have health insurance, you are entitled to mental health care (and medical care, but that's for another day). Cost can make proper mental health care prohibitive, but there ARE resources out there when you can't afford a more traditional route. 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Mental Health.gov 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Dial *211

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your Budget

Read: 6 Easy Self-Care Tips for Busy People

Resource: Mental Health America

Resource: Take a Mental Health Test

Resource: Free/Low-Cost/Sliding Scale Mental Health Clinics database

Resource: NeedyMeds

Resource: Better Help (individual, couples & teen counseling)

Resource: Faithful Counseling (Christian counseling)

Resource: Teen Counseling

Resource: ReGain (couples counseling)

Resource: Pride Counseling (LGBTQ counseling)

Read: The Ultimate Guide to Appealing Health Insurance Denials

MONTANA RESOURCES:

Resource: Bozeman Help Center

Resource: Western Montana Mental Health Center

Resource: Community Health Partners

SOURCES:

Source: Mental Health Month

Source: Best Online Counseling Services of 2021

Source: Emotional Disturbance

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 25: 7 Steps to Find Your Motivation For Debt Payoff.

We’ve got 7 easy steps to keep you going during a long debt payoff journey:

1. Identify what’s important
2. Get on the same page
3. Turn your priorities into goals
4. Remind yourself of your motivation for debt payoff
5. Watch the numbers change
6. Set rewards to keep your motivation for debt payoff
7. Celebrate your victories with like-minded people

FIND US:

Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- Hello@balancedfi.com

RESOURCES:

Read: 7 Steps to Find Your Motivation for Debt Payoff

Read: I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your Budget

Read: How to Set Financial Goals for 2021

Read: 5 Quick Questions to Ask Yourself Before Purchasing

Read: Financial Security Step 4: Calculate your Net Worth

Resource: Debt Free Charts

Free Download: Debt Payoff Planner

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 24! Thank you so much for listening in! 

Appealing health insurance denials is the best (maybe only?) way to increase the chances your health insurance provider will cover the requested medical treatment. So many times a claim is denied automatically, or without sufficient investigation, so it falls to the patient (or patient’s representative) to appeal the denial and seek coverage. 

To appeal a health insurance denial, you need to:

• Request coverage
• Receive the denial
• Call insurance
• Get more information
• Contact your provider
• Follow the appeal process
• Ask what the next step is

RESOURCES:

Read: The Ultimate Guide to Appealing Health Insurance Denials

Read: Meet RaLea

Fax Zero

Patient Advocate Foundation

SOURCES:

HeathCare.gov: Appealing a health plan decision - External Review

Center for Medicare Advocacy: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding the Jimmo v. Sebelius “Improvement Standard” Settlement

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 23! Thank you so much for listening in! 

Make saving money fun to keep yourself engaged in long-term financial goals. Some ways to make saving fun include:

• Set goals & rewards
• Track your progress
• No spend month challenge
• No spend days challenge
• Loose change challenge
• First to save challenge
• Pantry challenge
• Dollars per week food challenge
• Kids savings challenge
• Annual savings challenge

RESOURCES:

Read: 10 Ways to Make Saving Money Fun

Free Download: Financial Goal Planner

Read: 30 Day Challenge + Free 30 Day Tracker

Read: 5 Quick Questions to Ask Yourself Before Purchasing

Read: 3 Ways to Use Meal Planning to Save Money

Read: Financial Security Step 2a: Save a Mini Emergency Fund

SOURCES:

Source: Debt Free Charts

Source: Benefits and Challenges of the 52-Week Savings Challenge

Source: How to Save $7,000 This Year With the $5 a Week Savings Challenge

Source: 52 Week Challenge Plan (Save $1,000) - Free Printable

Source: 52 Week Money Challenge Printable Chart

Source: Five Ways To Do A 52 Week Money Challenge + Free Printable

Source: 15 Ways to Make Saving Fun

Source: 10 Creative Ways to Make Saving Money Fun

Source: 15 Creative Ways to Save Money