I don’t know about you, but I certainly feel like I have a Christmas hangover. There are multiple types of Christmas hangovers. Here are just a few:

1. Financial Hangover – This is probably the most popular. I know I used to get caught up in this trap myself. So many people are givers in this world. It is almost impossible to control themselves when you get to a time of year like this when it is what you are “supposed” to do. Even people that have been so good all year and have pinched every penny possible fall victim to the Holidays. Unfortunately, this is one time your good nature towards others can land you in hot water. Solution: What is done…is done. There is absolutely no reason to beat yourself up over what you cannot change. Just let it go. Sit down and look at the numbers and put a plan in place to pay it off. Then, put a plan in place to make sure you do not get yourself in the same situation next year.
2. Party Hangover – Whew! Party time is almost over. Even for the craziest party animals this time of year has to be tough. It seems like there are two to three parties every weekend. Company parties, Networking parties, Friends parties, Kids parties, and on and on. Every time you turn around there is another party to go to on your calendar. This can also contribute to your financial hangover because you usually have to bring gifts or food to each of those parties. Or, you may be the one giving a party which can also contribute to Hangover number one. Solution: Try to limit your partying. It is okay to say no. If you keep going at full throttle, you are not really doing anyone any favors. Be selective about the party’s you decide to go to.
3. Kid Hangover – For those of you with children in regular school, they are home from school for two weeks. It may be nice the first couple of days, but then the weather usually does not cooperate in December. The kids are cooped up for a couple of days, they start climbing the walls and the next thing you know, you are pulling your hair out! Solution: See about fun and free (or inexpensive) activities in your area. I know we had an indoor pool open here in our town, look into swim lessons. How fun is that in December? Maybe go for walks or bike rides on the nature trails in your area. Look into city run programs. Keeping those kids busy and their mind active will help everyone stay sane.
4. Holiday’s are over Hangover – I get really bummed out when the holidays are over. I love this time of year so much. We all have so much to look forward to. I have my birthday thrown in there as well. So, when it is all over, it can be a little depressing. Your calendar goes from full to normal (which may not be so full), the activities at school slow down, the kids go back to school, the weather turns frightful, you get the picture. It’s all just a little on the depressing side come January because all we really have to look forward to then is taxes. :0) Solution: Stop and think about all you are really thankful for at this time of year. Does it really have to stay in December? Don’t just wait for the holidays to spend time with distant friends and family. Start looking at what you plan on doing for spring break or your family summer vacation. Think about all you are going to accomplish in the next year and put a plan in place. There is so much good stuff!
5. Going back to the Gym Hangover – Now, I had a really good excuse for not going to the gym for over two weeks…I had the flu. And, anyone that has experienced this current flu knows it knocks you on your butt for a few weeks. I went back to the gym last night and did a BodyPump class and seriously thought my husband was going to have to carry me out of the gym my legs were shaking so bad after the squat track. But, it takes something like the flu to keep me out of the gym. I know that not everyone is quite as inspired as I am. Many people start to slack off when the weather starts to turn. January is when they try to get back in the saddle again. Solution: Look at exercise as a year round event. Build it into your calendar no matter what is going on in your life or what the weather man says. This needs to be a staple in your life, just like eating and bathing. To me, the gym is non-negotiable (unless very ill). That is my sanity time when I get to clear my brain and take out any and all aggressions from the day. If you try to find the time, I bet you find it.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Does being a people pleaser really help anybody out? Maybe… But, more than likely, not the right people. Let me explain a little more…

A couple of weeks ago I went Las Vegas with a dear friend of mine for the Ali Brown Shine conference. I have to admit, it was a roller coaster weekend for me. The range of emotions I felt were difficult to say the least. And, while I walked away with a lot of great information and inspiration, I also had a life altering realization.

I am a people pleaser.

I would have never thought there was anything bad about it. However, when you have three children and a husband, you can get depleted very quickly. I have spent my life being a mother hen. All of my friends know me, I am the one that takes care of everyone. I am the one that gives up something so someone else can have it. I am the first person to volunteer my time…for anything, even if I really don’t have it. I am the one running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off because I am running around making everyone else happy.

I have three beautiful little boys that deserve the absolute best mommy possible. I have the most amazing husband in the world that deserves the best wife possible. I have some of the greatest friends I could possibly ask for that deserve a great friend in return. I have some of the greatest clients that deserve the best CPA I can give them. How can I make them all happy at once?

Stop putting everyone above myself!

When I came back from Shine I made some major changes in my life. I started with having a conversation with my husband about my core values and how I was going to rearrange my life around them and what steps I was going to take. Then, I spoke with each of my boys about the changes mommy was going to be making and how they could support me in that. Then, I got down to business when it came to my business. I changed my office hours and created a schedule for me to follow so I was not so easily drawn off course. Lastly, I started to shave away all the things that did not fit in perfectly with those core values. That way, my valuable time could be spent on things that will fill my cup. So, once it is overflowing again, I can start serving from my saucer instead.

Are you a people pleaser too?

This past Tuesday I went to lunch with a couple of friends of mine that are also mompreneurs. It is always fun to spend time with wonderful likeminded women. I am going to a conference in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks with one of them and we were discussing what to expect when we are there.

My friend has been to a different conference put on by the same company a year ago. She was explaining to me that this woman sells her lifestyle (i.e. multimillion dollar mansion on the beach, fancy cars, etc.)

I had a reaction I was not expecting. I told my friend I thought they were completely off base with that. I think I speak for a lot of people right now when I say, I don’t really care about all that. I love what I have and I want to know that I am going to be able to keep it. Don’t get me wrong, I would love a bigger house, nicer car, etc…. MORE

‘Tis the season for us to over-commit ourselves. Between work, kids, helping out in classes, back to school nights, Parent teacher clubs, field trips, practices and games, my goodness is it any wonder we can even see straight?!

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I could curl up and go to sleep just thinking about all of that. I know exactly how you all feel I do it to myself all the time. Over-committing is an enormous problem in our society. I am here to share with you how it can be hurting you financially.

If this all sounds so familiar to you, please read the rest of this article carefully. When you over-commit yourself at:

• Work – If you are constantly saying yes to anything that comes across your desk, the important stuff may not get the attention it deserves. It may end up costing you a raise or a promotion because you are not able to give your best to the items that need it. Solution: Learn to say “no” when it is appropriate and delegate when you can. You will be amazed at how much more effective you are.
• Running your own business – I am notorious for wanting to help just about everyone out, sometimes even to my own detriment. If you run your own business and you say yes to any potential client that comes through your door, you could be pulling your hair out trying to please the wrong people. Solution: Through the last five years I have been running my business, I have learned when to listen to my heart and advise potential clients up front when I don’t think we will be a good fit. I then kindly refer them on to other professionals that they may have a better fit with. This way, you open more space for those that are a better fit, you are happier, they are happier. Truly a win-win all around.
• Family – This encompasses anything to do with kids, spouse, parents, grandparents, etc. If you have the time and energy to help coach your child’s sports team, by all means do it. However, if you are already overwhelmed with everything you have on your plate…solution: it is okay to say “no”. I promise, your child will understand…someday. I know you want to be there for them and support them, but sometimes you have to find other ways. Just being at their games means the world to them. It is better for them to have you there and happy, then coaching and stressed out.
• School – This is along the same lines as family. Watch your stress level, if you start to get stressed out trying to fit it all in. Solution: Talk to your kids and teachers to see what you can do to make it all work without you ending up pulling your hair out.

All of this can end up costing you money just by the level of stress you have. If you are at work freaking out about how you are going to get to practice in time to coach or have to keep taking time off of work to help out in the classroom and your boss is getting upset, that can be very bad for you and your family financially.

Take some time to go through all you have committed yourself to and prioritize. Once you start to feel overwhelmed, start notifying the affected parties it is not going work for you.

Trust me, your family and coworkers will thank you for it.

Many of you are saying, “wouldn’t that be nice…” with a little bit of a sarcastic tone. Trust me, I know that feeling. As I have mentioned in weeks past, I learned a lot about myself when I went to Dallas a few of weeks ago.

I need more quiet time!

Trust me, as the mother of three boys, ages 3, 5 and 7 there is not much of it flying around. The difference is, I am looking for it now. In the past I would just throw my hands up to the fact I would never get any of it. I have since learned it is out there, you just have to find it…and utilize it. MORE

I have heard that if you want to be rich, you have to be committed to it unreservedly.  Okay, I guess I get it.  I think everyone wants to be rich, right?  It is probably the level of commitment that separates the rich from…well, everyone else.  I have spent the last several years trying so hard to get to that place.  I have told myself I am committed…yada, yada, yada.  Yet, I keep feeling like the harder I try, the further away I get from “it”.  What was I doing wrong? 

That is why these last couple of weeks has been such an experience for me.  I think I finally get it!!  Yes, I want to be rich, who doesn’t?  But it is not about that.  I was committing myself to the wrong thing if I wanted to be rich.  It is not about the money.  Okay, the money is an enormous bonus.  But, I need to make a priority list when it comes to commitment.  If I want to be rich in the truest sense of the word, I need this to be my priority list:

1. Me! – I need to be number one.  As a mother of three young boys, this is very difficult to admit.  Moms understand we tend to put everyone else in front of us.  Then, if there is anything left over, we might use it on ourselves.  Admit it…more than likely we will find someone else to use it on though. 
2. My husband – Over 10 years ago I swore before God and all of my family and friends that I would love this man in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, etc.  Here I am several years later, not taking care of myself or him.  He always seemed to be second to last on my list (I was last if you were wondering).  God bless him, he still loves me and takes care of me as if I am the only person in his world.  I now need to return the favor.
3. My boys – I have to admit, they might have moved down a couple of notches.  But, before you throw me under the bus, follow me.  I have always put them above me or my husband.  But, then there was not much of either of us to give to them.  Now, if my husband and I are taking care of ourselves first, there will be so much more to give to them.  So, they really do win!
4. My extended family & friends – Without them, I don’t know where I would be today.  I have family and friends that have supported me and loved me throughout my whole life.  I also have friends that don’t have as many years under their belt, but they have sure made up for it in lifting me as they climb the mountain with me.  To all of my girlfriends out there…you know who you are!
5. My clients – I have to admit, I have some of the best clients in the world.  Many of them have come to me knowing the enormous commitment I have for my family.  They understand why my office hours are what they are and they support it.  They don’t mind getting a call the morning of their appointment to reschedule because I have a sick child.  They understand the value I bring to every hour of mine they pay for. 

I am sure there is more I am missing, but you get the point.  I am so thankful for all that I have and all those people in my life.  From this day forth, I promise I am committed to you in the order noted above.  With that said, I am now the richest woman in the world.

Have you ever noticed that things seem to cost more during the summer?  Not only that, but there are a lot more expenses.  Between extra daycare costs, summer camp, sports and vacations, you probably feel financially spent! 

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to outline ten steps to financial summer survival.  Today is step one:

Take a Vacation – I know that seems counterintuitive, because that takes money, right?  I am aware of the fact that it takes money.  However, I am one of the worst culprits when it comes to not taking a vacation.  I can always come up with some excuse as to why we cannot, usually related to the family budget.  See if you think my logic makes sense, if you take a vacation, you will be refreshed and relaxed…ready to take on the world when you come back.  You will be less likely to get sick or burned out.  So, now you are ready to conquer the universe.  With all that extra energy, you will perform better at work, impress your boss, maybe you will end up getting a promotion, which all leads to more money in the future.  I don’t know about you, but I like that way of thinking.  It is worth spending some money now to rejuvenate…it will pay for itself in the future.

So, take my advice and go on vacation, even if it is a little one.  Something is better than nothing.  Get creative; you don’t have to go to Hawaii to get away.  Check out hidden treasures in your own back yard.  Living in the Sacramento Valley, I have Lake Tahoe or San Francisco within two hours either way.  Not to mention the Napa Valley or any of the other beautiful vacation spots.  Check out your neck of the woods and see what you can find. 

The most important thing is that you relax.  Go!  Have some fun…