Hi, I’m Whitney, founder of Women with Money Moxie. I’m wondering, do the following phrases sound familiar?

“Whenever I walk into my office, I get completely overwhelmed.”

“The stack has gotten too big; I just can’t make myself deal with it.”

“I hate paperwork. I’d rather cut onions for two hours.”

 Some days, the last thing I want to do is sit down in my office, enter expenses into Quickbooks, plan the budget, pay bills and do the filing.  Having my teeth pulled sounds better! So, what do you do? 

 Stack the deck in your favor.   

 To start, take your own inventory:

• Am I trying to handle my finances when I’m tired?
• Am I dealing with money when I’m cranky because I’m hungry?
•   Is there some chronic problem with the organization or layout of my office? (I realize your “office” may be as simple as a table in the corner of your living room or a portable filing cabinet. That’s fine. These questions still apply whatever your “office” looks like.)
• Is there anything in my office I love and makes me feel good? A favorite picture or treasured gift?
• Conversely, is there anything in my office (besides the stacks of bills and paperwork) which rubs me the wrong way? A pile of unfolded laundry? A picture of an ex-two-timing boyfriend? Dirty dishes?

 Next follow these four basic rules.

1.    Make sure you’re well-rested. When my husband, Matt, and I first started working with a budget, we would often fight. Luckily, Matt realized our meetings were after dinner, after the dishes, and after walking our dog. In other words, waaaay too late. We changed our meeting time to Sunday afternoon and that single change made all the difference.

2.    Make sure you’re well-fed. Low blood sugar has a huge impact on your emotions and your ability to think. Pay attention and notice if you’re hungry before tackling your finances. You’ll be amazed at what a big difference a good snack can make in your outlook on life.

3.    Make sure your space and organization support you.  Your filing cabinet, computer, stapler, pens and other needed supplies should be within arm’s reach. It’s difficult enough to pay your bills and handle your money, why not make it easier on yourself? Professional organizers are a god-send to the organizationally impaired. Another option: Ask a friend who’s a naturally organized to offer some suggestions.

4.    Make your space feels good to you. When my friend, Jan, pays her bills, she lights a candle and considers how each person she’s paying contributes to her life. She’s thankful for the electric company who delivers the power for lights, computers, a TV. Her car payments allow freedom and mobility. It’s easier, and frankly a lot more fun, to handle your finances when your space inspires or uplifts you. Remove anything that is an unnecessary drain on your vitality. This is tough stuff so be deliberate in your preparation.

Whitney Wogan is the founder of Women with Money Moxie. She and her husband, Matt Van Wormer, wrote and published Getting Control of Your Money: The Easy Step-by-Step Workbook, in 1994, based on the system they used to get themselves out of credit card debt and completely debt free. Currently, she and Matt own Fulcrum Properties, LLC, a real estate investment business specializing in single-family REO rehabs in the Denver metro area. Whitney also completed an intensive yearlong mentorship with Loral Langemeier, also known as The Millionaire Maker.  She’s currently studying economics at the Ludwig von Mises Institute and completed Mises University in August 2009. Whitney lives in Boulder, Colorado with Matt and their two daughters, Olivia and Hailey.

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(photo credit: nonsuonamale)

Tags: bills, budget, expenses, Finances, hungry, inventory, money, office, organization, paperwork, Quickbooks, tired, Women with Money Moxie

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