Tip # 17 Don’t let your house budget stick out like a sore thumb
Budgeting for house expenses is a chore people put off indefinitely. They know something is wrong with the budget; bills pile up and remain unpaid for weeks, and the only time you jolt out of your complacency is when the utility company calls to advise you that power will be cut off in a week if you don’t settle your bill.
It’s not because you need to earn more; it’s because your budget needs fixing. Nurse it back to health. Procrastinating will only make the problem worse. If it’s easy for governments to get into a deficit, it’s even easier for individuals to fall in the same trap.
Tip # 18 With the help of family members, identify time wasters at home
Solicit the cooperation of the entire family and ask them to come up with potential sources of time wasters. Here’s a handful:
miscommunication
misplaced objects and personal effects
documents and papers not filed
too many magazines and CDs strewn about
mistakes
indecision
inefficient use of family vehicles
too much TV viewing
different meal times
non-adherence to curfew rules
friends who hang around indefinitely
Tip # 19 Divide and delegate house chores
Obviously you can’t do it all. So it’s time for a strategy: plan a nice dinner for your family on one long weekend, and tell them in advance that you have something to announce. Cook them a special dish or two and whip up a dessert that everyone will adore.
At the end of the meal, tell them that you want to make some changes at home. Say that you’ve been procrastinating in doing some important chores around the house because you lack their support.
Bring up your divide and delegate plan, ask them for suggestions, and get everyone’s commitment. Your concrete, well laid-out plan will get you the results you want.
