BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Learn how you can take your First Steps toward Financial Freedom this month by enrolling in my next teleclass for just $10! This 4-week teleclass will be held each Wednesday in February from 12p-12:45p PST beginning on Feb. 8th. Make this February the month your change your life by participating in this educational financial teleclass during your lunch break – your financial future, and your wallet, will thank you! In this teleclass you will learn, step-by-step how to:

• Build a realistic budget you can stick with
• Save enough money to have a small emergency fund
• Know what to say the next time a collector calls you
• Examine your money beliefs
• Communicate better with your partner
• Have financial peace of mind
• Stop going into debt – end the cycle for your family

To enroll, please visit this link: goo.gl/WX0fq

I specialize in assisting my clients in how to implement a budget that works with their particular financial situation. I will partner with you to develop a financial game plan to get you out of debt faster than by doing it alone. I will help you communicate fearlessly with collectors and empower you to take control of your finances. If you ever thought you might need help getting out of debt, then please enroll in my teleclass today! There’s never been a better way to invest $10 into changing your financial future! I look forward to meeting you.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! This $10.00 4-week teleclass will be held at 12 noon Pacific time beginning February 8th. Each session will be 45 minutes in length. Brown bag it and enjoy your lunch after the call. Your wallet will thank you! If you know of others who may be interested in the group, please feel free to forward this post to them.

I specialize in assisting my clients to implement a budget. I will partner with you to develop a financial game plan to get you out of debt. I will help you communicate fearlessly with collectors and empower you to take control of your finances. In this $10.00 teleclass, you will, step by step:

• Build a realistic budget to which you can stick
• Save enough money to have a small emergency fund
• Know what to say the next time a collector calls you
• Examine your money beliefs
• Communicate better with your partner
• Have peace of mind
• Stop going into debt

I have a client couple with whom I worked for two months. Before we partnered together, they constantly had more month than money and were losing sleep because of their debt. They were never able to pay more than the minimum on their credit cards, and were being harassed by collectors. They were concerned about not having enough money for their kids’ college funds or for their own retirement. I walked them step by step through the process of getting organized, creating a realistic budget, and sticking to it. I made sure they were communicating openly and regularly about their expenses and tracking their progress. They have made significant progress. They were so committed to this process that they decided to pick up extra income as it was available. They will be completely debt-free by December.

I assist couples to communicate openly about their spending habits. Money can be an incredibly difficult and emotional issue. To be successful in eliminating debt and saving money, you must change the way you think about money. This creates lasting change.

My financial game plan is not just for couples. If you are single, either in life or in business, I know how difficult it can be to feel like you are carrying the weight of the world alone. A major benefit of my plan for singles is that I provide accountability so they don’t have to struggle alone.

What is unique about my coaching is that I offer a common-sense approach to personal finance and debt-reduction. I’m not talking about debt consolidation. This is debt elimination. None of the concepts are new and they don’t contain complicated formulas. It is easy to wander into debt. It takes great determination and support to make a plan to get out of debt and put it in motion. That is why partnering with me is so important. I applied these concepts to my own debt and became completely debt-free in March 2010.

If you are serious about sticking to a budget and getting out of debt this time, I invite you to enroll for $10.00. The last time I offered this class, the price for a single ticket was $65. Take advantage of my very generous offer before I realize how crazy this price is!

If you are unsure if this class is for you, please join my free ‘Ask Me Anything’ open call. It’s the same as a free initial consultation, without having to wait weeks to get on my schedule. It’s on Tuesday, February 7th at noon. You can register for the free call here. For more information, please feel free to contact me toll-free at 877-477-6450 or at Inquiry(at)CoachMelissa(dot)net.

Before deciding to become a financial coach, I completed the Wellness Mapping 360° Certified Coach training. I then became a Dave Ramsey Certified Counselor achieving the Coach Training Alliance Certified Coach designation. I’ve been told that what makes me a great coach is that I’m gently straight-forward, knowledgeable and non-pretentious. No two situations are the same. By partnering with my clients, we develop a personalized plan that will work for their unique situation and challenges. I ask out loud the questions that my clients have been wondering about and talk about the issues they’ve been afraid to discuss. I break tasks into bite-sized pieces. I have previous personal experience with financial difficulties. I know where my clients are coming from and I know how to help them get where they want to be.

You have probably heard of the phrase, “Set SMART Goals.” where S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Timely. Now let’s apply that to your family’s financial goals and use it to really learn how to manage your money and pay off debt fast. Sit down with your partner and write down your own SMART financial goals (if you’re a single professional it helps to do this with a close friend with whom you can work toward your individual goals together and hold each other accountable).

Specific – Your goal must be well defined, like “I will save $10,000 in 5 years,” rather than arbitrary like, “I want to save more money.” Define a specific financial goal. Here are some examples:

● Get out of credit card debt, totalling $11,500, by July 2012
● Save $5,000 to pay for second honeymoon in 2013
● Save an additional $500 per month for tuition to get masters degree

Measurable – Your goal must be measurable so you can track your progress toward achievement. For instance, say your goal is to have $5,000 saved in 2 years time and you currently have $465 in your savings account. Then you need to save $4,535 more ($5,000-$465) in 24 months, which equals $188.96 per month ($4535 / 24). So, each month, you should put $190 into your savings account.

Actionable – This is how you outline the steps that will get you to your goal. If your goal is to save $5,000 in 2 years (what we just outlined above), then you know that you need to save $190 per month, every month, for 2 years. You could manually make the deposit into your savings account each month, or you could set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to your savings account. Most corporate employers offer direct deposit, so you could file the paperwork to have $95 from each bi-weekly paycheck deposited directly into your savings account.

Realistic – It’s always important to set yourself up for success - to allow yourself to achieve. This is why goals must be realistic to foster a sense of accomplishment. When you have accomplished smaller goals, you’ll find yourself even more motivated and excited to accomplish bigger goals. This is why knowing how to set a budget is important when it comes to achieving financial goals. Your budget will tell you what you can realistically save each month or how much more you can put toward your credit card bills.

Timely – Notice how each goal outlined above has a date or length of time attributed to it. Your money saving goal cannot just be, “I want to save $5,000.” It must have a deadline attached to it, otherwise you could just say to yourself, “I can’t save this month, so I’ll just save next more month,” and you’ll never reach your goal. It’s important to set short term (up to 1-2 years), mid term (up to 5 years) and long term (10 years or more) goals. If your long term goal is to own your own home, then your short term goals will build the foundation for doing so.

So take the time now, to outline your Specific goals that you can Measure with Actions in a Realistic and Timely manner. Create your own game plan for getting out of debt quickly and managing your money for the future. I’m just a phone call away and can help you get started.

The cosmic laws of the universe are real and you can use them in your everyday life to help with money management. Universal laws include the Law of Attraction and the Law of Abundance and each of these concepts can be used to target and achieve your financial goals. Applying the laws of success to your financial goals involves an everyday commitment and refocusing your energy away from what’s not working financially to what you can do today to change your situation. Here are some tips to help you get on the path to a successful financial mindset.

How to apply the Law of Abundance to achieve your financial goals –
The Law of Abundance states that there are more than enough good and positive things in the universe to be shared by all. So the key here is to realize that you really do have more than enough money to pay off your debt. How is this possible? Applying debt elimination strategies like Dave Ramsey’s Debt Snowball is the perfect example. Pay minimums on all debt, but aggressively pay as much as you can on one debt at a time, starting with the smallest, and you’ll see just how quickly you can clear up your debt one bill at a time!

Also, start to think creatively and realize innovative ways you can generate cash, like having a garage sale or selling clothing you don’t wear anymore. When you purge out the clutter in your life and keep only what you need and what has true sentimental value, not only do you free up storage and create more breathing room in your life, but you can also earn hundreds of dollars doing so! That’s more than enough cash to clear a few small debts off your list. You’ll probably feel much lighter, too!

When it comes to your career, are you due for a raise or do you feel you are underpaid at your position? Conduct some internet research to learn the average wage in your area for your position and strategize on how you can negotiate for a pay raise. It’s important to have at least an annual conversation with your employer to discuss your wage and how you can further advance your career and earn a higher salary. If your employer has made it clear to you that there is no room for advancement, then it’s time to research other opportunities. Only you are in charge of your situation and if you feel stuck, you have the power and the right to strive for a better living and working environment.

Making the Law of Abundance work for you means that you must stop thinking you don’t have enough money and start finding ways to eliminate wasteful spending, free up income and generate more cash flow for your family. Simply establishing and adhering to a household budget can free up 15%-30% of your income by identifying and eliminating wasteful spending! Universal Laws only work when you focus on making them work and I can help you put them to work for you!

Most of my clients feel they can easily relate to me and that’s largely due to the fact that I’ve been where they are – in debt up to my eyeballs, and not sure how to get out of it. It’s so easy to wander into debt, and here’s my story of how I got back out of it…

In April 2004 I was living in Denver, working full time but with no idea how to budget finances, when I decided to buy a house. I made sure I could afford the mortgage payments, but before I knew it, I needed all sorts of “improvements” to my new house. The driveway didn’t seem adequate for a single woman living by herself, so I added a garage. I needed a central AC due to my mold allergies. To afford my home renovations, I took out a second mortgage. During all of these “renovations” I was also working to fund an adoption. However, the garage renovation was starting to run over cost and my spending sprees had gotten out of control. I was running out of money fast.

I had a student loan, my car payment and, of course, credit card debt, in addition to my first and second mortgage. I took the advice of an older colleague and took out an IRA loan which I used to get rid of most of my credit card debt. That seemed like the perfect solution, until later on, when I received a large tax penalty for not putting that money back into my IRA. I was taxed at my current tax rate PLUS 10% just for good measure. Let’s just say that was a lesson learned. Your friends, no matter how well intentioned, don’t often give the best financial advice, or even how to budget finances for themselves.

How I got out of debt fast

I took out a 401K loan and my family helped me fund the remaining costs of my adoption. Soon, my son came home with me. Though I had the utmost joy of loving and caring for my new son, my financial situation was getting worse. Childcare and diapers were costing me about $1,200 per month and I still had mortgages one and two, as well as my student and car loans. Needless to say, I was neck deep in… diapers and debt.

In February 2007, I discovered the Dave Ramsey podcast by accident, which started me on a direct path to debt elimination and my current career. When I received my annual bonus in March, instead of splurging, I used it to pay off my car. Soon, I received the title in the mail from the bank (without a congratulatory letter, by the way), and I never felt better about managing my own financial situation. I thought, “Well at least I own my car because I may have to live in it!” I gave myself a big pat on the back.

I was now a regular listener to the Dave Ramsey show and I began to think I could really do this – get out of debt. When my son went to bed and all the chores were finished each night, I actually had a lot of free time, so I decided to pursue financial coaching as a second income, and to help fund my second adoption. My credit cards and car were paid off, and I had momentum.

In 2009, I was hit with several bombshells – in January I was laid off from my position at a financial services firm and in August my Mom passed away. These events prompted several decisions that have gotten me where I am today. I had no steady income and my family was in California – why was I still in Denver? So I decided to sell the house and we relocated to Los Angeles. After a month of showing the house with no offers, I just decided it was time to go. One hour into our drive to California, the realtor called with an offer. We negotiated it to just $2,000 under the asking price and sold! When the money came through, I used it to pay off that first and second mortgage – and in March of 2010 – I was officially debt free!

I have been debt free since March 2010

Getting out of debt has given me so much flexibility to do what I am passionate about. I can’t explain this feeling to you, but I will help you feel it for yourself. I am now a Certified Dave Ramsey Financial Coach living in Los Angeles, and I have always run my business on a cash basis. Now that I know how to budget finances, I’ve kept my expenses lean while building my business (I rented the least expensive one bedroom apartment in the most reasonably “non-scary” neighborhood). Now I have a home office, all the appliances and home comforts I need, and I am funding my second adoption, all with cash.

This is my story and I’m excited to help you write yours. If you are truly committed to getting out of debt but aren’t sure how to do it, I am here for you. Just get in touch with me to set up your free phone consultation and we can start from there!

I’m in a VERY generous mood today! I don’t think I’m supposed to discount my finance coaching services, but I’m doing it anyway, despite what my business manager or my coach might have to say!

I’m so great at helping my clients become debt-free, I’ve literally worked myself out of a job! I have openings in my finance coaching practice for two new clients. I want to fill these openings before February 1st, so I’m practically GIVING AWAY my coaching for 1/3 of its usual price! You read that right, one-third of my usual price!

Is finance coaching right for you?

If you’d like to see if my coaching is right for you, please read more here or here. There are only a couple of rules to receive this rare discount on my finance coaching. You must be one of the first two people to take me up on this generous offer and your initial no-charge, no-obligation consultation must be held by January 25th if you haven’t had one yet.

If my schedule fills too quickly, or if you have a scheduling conflict, please call my assistant at 877-477-6450. Let her know that you’re interested in this special offer but that your schedule seems to conflict with my schedule. We’ll try to make some accommodations for you. You also need to be ready and available to begin your finance coaching by February 1st, and you must be available to schedule our coaching sessions, for 30 to 45 minutes each, during the normal business day. If you work during the day, perhaps you can use part of your lunch break.

For new clients of Coach Melissa Cappleman

This offer is only for clients who are not currently working with me. You must schedule with me, Melissa Cappleman. My finance coaching team members are not running this promotion. To get started with a no charge initial consultation, please visit this link to my schedule.

I look forward to connecting with you very soon!

You can become a money savings expert and invest your extra savings toward paying off debt fast. I’m not referring to bargain basement shopping and clipping coupons or haggling for the best price – no one really likes to do that. I’m referring to making smart financial decisions when budgeting your finances and purchasing essential items that are made to last. Shop, save and invest with these money savings tips in mind and you’ll start to be able to pay off your debt faster.

Fact: When you budget your finances, you eliminate wasteful spending and free up more income to save and pay off debt. Setting a household budget is key to managing household spending. Be strict with adhering to your budget but adjust and re-evaluate it continually to ensure it always works with your evolving needs. Click here to read my blog on how to set up a household budget.

Weekly menu planning: Spoiled food equals wasted money and if you don’t already have an idea of what you can make for dinner tonight, you might be tempted to just order in or eat out. Food is often one of the biggest spending categories when you review your purchases for the month. Pull up your spending reports for the last few months and analyze all of your food purchases. Based on these previous spending habits, you can easily create a savings plan to spend 15%-30% less this month by creating a weekly menu plan and adhering to a set budget for eating out.

Build a classic wardrobe: Do you look in your closet and see lots of clothes but feel you have nothing to wear? Re-evaluating your closet on a semi-annual basis is actually a great way to earn extra cash and to save money by selling what you don’t wear and by not purchasing trend pieces or poorly made clothing. Every city has stores who will buy your used clothing and you can donate what you can’t sell for a tax write off each year. Invest in classic, quality clothing items that you can wear today that will still look great 10 years from now. Repair minor damages and tailor clothes to fit your body so you continually look great without having to purchase a new wardrobe each season. And when you do shop for new clothes, know exactly what you need and shop for those items only. By creating a money savings plan for your wardrobe, you can save 30%-50% of your clothing budget this year and you’ll look even better with a well thought out wardrobe.

Becoming a money savings expert comes down to your everyday choices and is directly tied to budgeting your finances and making smart spending decisions. If you create a plan and stick to it, you will see results and could save up to 30% of your monthly finances just by eliminating wasteful spending. As a finance coach, I’ve helped many clients create money savings plans that are tailored to their lifestyle and unique financial situation. If you need help creating a household budget and money savings plan, then call Coach Melissa’s team of money savings experts today at 1-877-477-6450.

Keywords:
Money savings expert, money savings plan, money savings tips

Have You Read Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover?” Here’s a Quick Refresher if it’s Been Awhile (or an Introduction if You Haven’t)

As the Certified Independent Dave Ramsey Financial Coach of the Los Angeles area, I meet so many people who just have wrong beliefs about money. So many people want a quick fix, and I’m sorry, but there just isn’t one. Changing your financial situation starts with a long, cold look at the person in the mirror – your beliefs, your habits, your responses, your current way of life. So many people are just not mature enough to say no NOW so they can say yes LATER. But why delay your gratification? Why shouldn’t you enjoy whatever you want NOW?

The fact of the matter is – NOW for so many people involves spending on credit, borrowing what they don’t have, and paying interest rates to huge, wealthy companies. Whereas LATER, if done correctly, is the means to pay in CASH, the ability to enjoy wealth, to give, to save, and to invest as they wish.
No get-out-of-debt system (not Dave’s, not mine, not Suze’s, not any guru’s) will ever work until you are willing to make the necessary sacrifices and the tough choices NOW. Debt is designed to grow – it’s called interest, and you need to save even faster to get out of it. It’s not fun, but you put yourself in this situation and only you can get yourself out of it. That’s the reality.

But the good news is – there is help and I’m not talking about fast loans or consolidation. There are people like Dave, like me, who are here to help you realize what you are doing to make your debt grow and what you can do to change this. Rising debt is the result of choices and actions that you have made. Creating a budget or getting out of debt is simple – just live on less than what you make. But doing that in reality is often so much more daunting or difficult than it seems. That’s why I’m here. I’ve done it myself, I’m living debt free on a single income, and I can show you how too.

Isn’t it time? Go take “The Total Money Makeover” off your bookshelf and read it again, or go buy it and read it for the first time. Then, let me know when you are ready to put it into action – I’m here, so you don’t have to do it alone.

It is true that what you focus on is what becomes. This past year, I completed additional coach training focused on the application of Universal Laws, and I teach clients how to incorporate these principles into the process of achieving their financial goals. Let’s explore these cosmic laws of the universe and learn how to begin to apply them to your financial goals.

The Law of Abundance

Did you know that there is more than enough wealth in the world and universe for all? Believe and accept that you have everything within you now that you need to live the life of your dreams.

The Law of Allowing

When you’ve taken the steps toward a goal, it’s time to allow the Universe to let it happen . Many things, whether good or bad are beyond your control. All you can do is your best and the rest will take care of itself.

The Law of Attraction

What you focus on is what you will create . Focus your energy toward positive outcomes and into what you love and desire. When you set goals, you work toward them and they become reality.

The Law of Cause and Effect

What you do today determines what will become of tomorrow. Every action has a reaction, so ensure your actions are healthy and positive to create beneficial effects.

The Law of Deliberate Creation

Thoughts become things. If you focus on the negative, then the negative things will keep happening. Focus on what you want and how you will get it and it will eventually happen.

The Law of Detachment

We must allow things the freedom to be as they are. We are only in control of our thoughts, feelings and actions. We can only be responsible for these things and cannot change or manipulate what we are not responsible for.

The Law of Polarity

Just as in the Law of Cause and Effect, every thing or action in the Universe has an opposite, and this opposite is essentially the same thing. Within every failure is the potential for success, and within every success is also the potential for failure.

The Law of Pure Potentiality

You are here because you are meant to be here. You have a potential to fill and the universe is unfolding as it should whether you realize it or not. Anything and everything is possible.

The Law of Relativity

Everything exists from the prospective of the viewer. In a different space, time or shape, things could be much better or much worse. Make the most of what you have and where you are.

The Law of Rhythm

There is a time, a season, and a place for all things. If this isn’t the outcome you desired, acknowledge that an even better outcome may be coming and it just hasn’t revealed itself yet.

Putting the Universal Laws to work for you takes more than reading them once or twice. You must fully acknowledge that these principles exist and become students to their teachings. I can help you adapt these principles to your financial goals and you will see success even sooner than you imagined. This could be the year that changed your life – I look forward to your call.