JosephSangl.com

Small Business Tip: Projecting Income

April 16, 2014 in Small Business with 0 Comments

One of the greatest challenges small business owners face is projecting income.

When providing financial coaching to small business owners, I ask, “How much are you paid by your business?”

The answer is usually some variation of: “Whatever I can take. It’s always up and down.”

This makes it extraordinarily difficult to manage household financial affairs and can literally drive the bill payer completely crazy.

Here’s solution to this problem.

Stop “investing” (spending) all the extra money. When you have a great month of revenue, don’t view it as a ticket to spend money. Instead, view it as a ticket to stabilize your income! Save the extra money in an operating reserve account.
Establish a monthly (or weekly, bi-weekly, or bi-monthly) salary. In your household budget, determine the amount of money your business needs to pay you each month in order to thrive. Ensure your household budget includes saving for Known Upcoming Non-Monthly Expenses (KUEs) such as Christmas, Special Days (birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, showers, etc), HOA, Insurance Premiums, etc.
Pay yourself the set amount of money each payday – and leave the rest alone at the business! Even when the business is thriving, it is important to continue to draw only your salary. This is because the “down times” will be coming soon through the natural business cycle of your business. It’s not fun to leave the money in the business during times of plenty, but it sure is nice to have those reserves when the business is struggling!

It’s how I operate my businesses, and I’m confident it will work for you too!

My book, Oxen, is a great resource to help you establish a new business or acquire an existing one.

Kids and Money Tip: No Spending Until You Prepare A Budget

April 15, 2014 in Budgeting, Kids & Money with 0 Comments

Money is a foreign concept to most children until they are about 4 or 5 years old. It is at around this age they become aware that money has the ability to purchase things. However, most of their financial knowledge is focused on spending because that is what they SEE happening with money.

Mom gives money to the grocery store clerk and carries groceries out of the store.
Dad swipes his credit card at the gas pump, and it allows him to put gasoline in the vehicle.
Grandma gives money to her beautiful grandchildren (your children, of course) and you take the child down the toy aisle to buy something with it.

Since “spending” is what we see happening with money from our earliest days, it is what most children grow up knowing about money. For them, money equals spending.

The important financial principles of giving, saving, investing, and budgeting are not learned. Consequently, grown children leave the house knowing only that money equals spending. This is a recipe for financial disaster!

Here’s a simple thing you can do immediately to change that for your children (grandchildren):

Ask the child to prepare a budget for any money they receive – BEFORE they are allowed to spend any of it.

For example, my daughter receives money for her birthday. She and I count the money so we know exactly how much she has received, and then I confiscate it. Upon receipt of a well-planned budget, I release the money to her for use. Later on, I do a “check in” to ensure the money has been used according to the plan.

In a recent budgeting moment, my daughter was planning the use of $20. Her first budget had $2 for giving, and $18 for spending. I rejected it because there was no saving or investing. Her revised plan showed $2 for giving, $0.25 for saving, and $17.75 for spending. She gave the budget to me with a smile – knowing there was little chance of it being accepted.

I rejected it.

Her third try included giving, saving, investing, and spending. I released the funds to her.

Here’s the reasons I love this process:

Teachable Moments This process creates space for “teachable moments” about money. It forces conversation about the importance of giving, saving, and investing. It allows us to talk about the “spender” mentality that we both share.
Learned At Home Before my daughter enters the real world, she is receiving real financial knowledge that will set her apart. She knows what a mutual fund is and how it operates.
The Pain of Wasting $20 is Less Than The Pain of Wasting $20,000 I want her to recognize the pain of poor financial decisions NOW when she is making $20 decisions so she doesn’t have to learn the lesson with a $20,000 purchase later.
My daughter actually enjoys the process My daughter actually enjoys the process. It has helped her save a substantial amount of money toward her first car. She has financial margin. She knows her parents care about her.

I have my daughter use our FREE BUDGETING TOOL called the “Mini-Budget.” It’s perfect for kids.

My book, What Everyone Should Know About Money BEFORE They Enter The Real World, is a perfect resource for helping your child start out life with the financial tools and principles essential to life.

Monday Money Tip: Saving Money On Groceries

April 14, 2014 in Monday Money Tip with 0 Comments

In this Monday Money Tip, I share several key ways you can save money on your groceries. This is knowledge that can literally help you free up cash to buy more food (or save, invest, give, etc).

Can’t see the YouTube video? Copy and paste the following link in your favorite browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-QfOB-SgTo

You can receive the weekly Monday Money Tip in your email by subscribing HERE.

Leadership Tip: Then We Wait

April 11, 2014 in Leadership with 0 Comments

I recently posted the following thought on Twitter:

“Some days are for planting seed. Others for harvesting. But MOST DAYS are for preparing, tending, and waiting.”

It raised quite a ruckus and a chorus of “that’s the truth!”

Anyone who has been involved in gardening or farming knows this fundamental fact.

In the spring time, there’s a mad dash to till the soil and get the seed in the ground. In just a few days or weeks, the work is over.

Then we wait. Wait for the seed to come up.

Then we wait. Wait for the crop to grow.

Then we tend the crop by eliminating weeds and applying fertilizer.

Then we wait. And we prepare the equipment. We clean up the planting implements and prepare the harvesting equipment.

Then we wait. We wait for the time to harvest.

Then another mad dash occurs at harvest time. We work like crazy to get the crops “in the shed” before weather can destroy it.

Then we wait. And we prepare the equipment again for another season. We prepare the soil for the next growing season.

The same is true for your finances and in your leadership. There will be moments where it will require the “mad dash” of effort. Then there will be moments where it will be waiting, tending, and preparing.

It’s what you do in the “then we wait” moments that dictates how well you will perform in the “mad dash” times.

Are you preparing for your next mad dash? My book, OXEN – The Key To An Abundant Harvest, is a perfect resource to prepare you for a maximized financial future.

I Don’t Know How To Budget

April 10, 2014 in Budgeting with 0 Comments

“I don’t know how to budget.”

I’ve heard this sort of statement thousands of times.

Let’s face it. We all know we would be better off if we prepared and lived by a budget. But for some reason, the vast majority of people choose to operate their financial life without this important financial foundational tool.

The reasons can come in hundreds of ways, but when boiled down, there are really two reasons people don’t operate by a budget:

They don’t know how to budget.
They know how to budget, but choose not to do so.

We’re working to prepare a resource that will help equip people to prosper with a budget. Will you take 60 seconds and share your budget experience with me?
Loading…

Can’t see the survey? Click HERE to take the quick survey.

Save Money BEFORE Attacking Debt

April 9, 2014 in Saving with 1 Comment

When we launched our “How To Have The Best Financial Year Of Your Life In 2014″ live on-line event this year, I asked the question: “What is your top financial goal for 2014?”

The top response BY FAR was “I want to reduce/eliminate debt.”

It is a noble goal that will help create financial margin and reduce stress. However, many people make the mistake of skipping straight to debt reduction without first saving some money in an emergency fund.

This is a big mistake.

You see, we want to kill debt. We’re frustrated and angry and want to say goodbye to our long-time friend, Sallie Mae Student Loans, the banks, credit card companies, and stores. We want the debt to be G-O-N-E!

And we run right past a more important step – saving money.

Think about it. If you do not save money and begin to attack your debt with any and all extra money such as tax refunds, bonuses, and money freed up by better budgeting, you will begin to see your debt go down.

Then your car will break down.

How will you pay for it? Since you skipped the “saving money” step, you will have to use credit to pay for it.

This is demoralizing, and it causes many people to give up on their debt freedom march saying, “I just can’t seem to get ahead.”

Choose to save money first. I recommend $2,500 as a good start. Once all of the non-house, non-business debt is gone, build the savings to 3 months of expenses.

I’ll finish by sharing this: I’ve yet to meet anyone who told me, “We’ve just saved too much money. I regret it.”

Never. Met. That. Person.

The #1 Lie About Why A Budget Won’t Work

April 8, 2014 in Budgeting with 3 Comments

Most people believe a lie about why their budget doesn’t work. It’s a sinister deceitful lie. Ready for it? Here it is:

“I just need to make more money to make my budget work.”

Of course, having more money sounds phenomenal. Given the opportunity, all of us would sign up for more income. However, more income is rarely the issue with a person’s budget. On the contrary, it’s the way they manage their outgo.

But we still like to believe that the problem is our income. It’s sinister and deceitful because it allows us to take a “victim status.” If our problem is income, the solution becomes someone else’s responsibility. It’s our bad boss’s fault. It’s our spouse’s shortcoming. It’s the mean company’s greediness. It’s the rich people’s insensitivity. It’s the government’s failure to protect the “little guy.”

However, if we were to take full responsibility for the the outgo by preparing a budget and (gasp!) follow it, denying ourselves some immediate gratification, and working more diligently to maximize every single dollar, we might just discover our income has been sufficient all along.

And by saving and investing every time we are paid, we will see our income increase over time through the power of compound interest.

Don’t believe the lie.

Get started with one of our FREE BUDGET TOOLS and put together a plan that allows you to prosper with your current income.

Monday Money Tip: Two Key Ways To Produce Income

April 7, 2014 in Monday Money Tip with 0 Comments

In this Monday Money Tip, I share two key ways to produce income – one of which is less utilized, but has the greatest potential to help you build wealth! This is worth the few minutes necessary to watch it. There may not be any cute kitty cats or puppy dogs, but it sure will help you with your money!

Can’t see the YouTube video? Copy and paste the following link in your favorite browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAlJnc4hGwI

You can receive the weekly Monday Money Tip in your email by subscribing HERE.

15 Negative Words And Phrases People Use To Describe Budgeting

April 4, 2014 in Budgeting with 0 Comments

One of our core financial foundational principles is the importance of budgeting. Many people, however, really despise budgeting. They use many negative words and phrases to describe budgets and the budgeting process.

15 Negative Words And Phrases People Use To Describe Budgeting

Joy-robbing experience
Frustrating
Impossible
Horrible
Terrible
No-good-very-bad
Awful
Depressing
Worthless process
A reminder of the fact that there’s never enough
Clueless
Challenging
Painful
I’d rather go to the dentist for a root canal
Get ready for a money fight with my spouse

It doesn’t have to be this way! I used to think all of these things (and a few more that I didn’t list) about budgeting, but I discovered how to make budgeting work for me and my family.

I’ve prepared a YouTube Video to share some of the key things that helped me have a budget that actually works! WATCH THE VIDEO and then download one of our FREE BUDGET TOOLS.

15 Alternative Words And Phrases To Use When Describing Budgeting

April 3, 2014 in Budgeting with 1 Comment

Many people despise the idea of budgeting. They feel it is very challenging and restricting. As a natural born spender, I used to feel the same way. In fact, I came up with poetry to describe my view of budgeting and financial planning.

My name is JOE.
Budgets make me say “NO.”
That interrupts my FLOW,
So the budget’s got to GO!

While I’m not making plans to become a full-time poet any time in the near future, I’m confident many people will agree with the sentiment of my literary work of art!

I’ve discovered that budgeting actually is the most FREEING thing I’ve ever done with money. It’s freed me of stress, given me a longer-term perspective, and helped me avoid tons of horrible financial mistakes.

Here are 15 Alternative Words And Phrases To Use When Describing Budgeting:

Financial Planning
Cash Flow Planning
Financial Stress Reducer
Impulsive Decision Preventer
Motivator
Marriage Uniter
Dream Funding
Money Maximizer
Earmarking
Provisioning
Opportunity Maker
Obstacle Destroyer
Freedom Giver
Fun Finder
Money Management

If you want your budget to WORK for you, then you must WORK your budget! Start with one of our FREE BUDGET TOOLS.

8 Ways To Save Money On Groceries

April 2, 2014 in Finance with 0 Comments

Food consumes 10 – 20% of the average American’s household gross income. With such a large spending category, it is helpful to understand some key ways to manage these costs while still eating healthy and very well.

Go the store with a list. One of the largest places “impulsive spending decisions” occur is at the grocery store or in a restaurant. A list will ensure you minimize the impact of impulsiveness on your budget.
Don’t shop while hungry. If you show up to the grocery store when you are hungry, you will end with all kinds of interesting things in your cart. You will look at pickled pig’s feet and say, “That looks amazing!” Instead of choosing one box of cereal, you’ll chose four. It’s how sardines and SPAM are purchased. I would venture to say that more than half of the items in your pantry right now were purchased as a result of going to the store hungry.
Use coupons. This is very basic shopping knowledge, but it is amazing how few people take the few minutes required to clip a coupon or two. You don’t have to be an extreme coupon freak. It might take 30 minutes to get the coupons that could reduce your grocery bill by 10-percent.
Use coupons on sale items. This is an ideal way to maximize your coupon. A great coupon site is Coupons.com. There are many great coupon websites that can help you such as CouponMom.com and SouthernSavers.com
Stack coupons. This is where you match up Manufacturer’s Coupons with In-Store Coupons. It allows you to apply the discounts to each item.
Go to discount stores. Chances are pretty good that an Aldi grocery store is near you – find out if one is near your home by clicking HERE. You probably have 1 or 2 additional local discount grocery stores as well that can help you save a ton on your grocery essentials.
Look high and look low. Companies pay BIG MONEY to have their products positioned right at eye level and on end caps. If you look up and down, you will probably find a generic product (maybe even made by the same manufacturer) at half the price!
Use a budget with cash envelopes. Prepare a written budget that clearly outlines the amount you plan to spend on groceries. When paid, pull that money out in cash. Once the cash is gone, grocery spending is over. The rule here is that once the money is spent, you can’t go back to the bank and get more (or use a debit/credit card). When you are spending cash with the rule that you can’t get any more until next payday, you will spend it differently!

Which of these items have worked well for you? What additional tips would you add?

If The Mountain Was Smooth, You Couldn’t Climb It

April 1, 2014 in Hope with 3 Comments

“If the mountain was smooth, you couldn’t climb it.”

I heard this statement the other day, and it really connected with me. It apparently connected with a lot of others as well because it became one of my most “re-tweeted” and “fav’d” tweets ever.

Let me unpack this statement while looking at it through a financial lens.

Have you ever experienced a financial cliff – a monumental financial challenge that was seemingly insurmountable? It could be paying for college, putting braces on your children’s crooked teeth, or fixing/replacing a vehicle. It might be the major task of obtaining a better job or starting a business. The financial cliff certainly presents a challenge, but overcoming it provides you an incredible sense of achievement and provides confidence like few other financial events can.

Perhaps you’ve reached a point where there are plentiful footholds and handholds and maybe even a path or two allowing you to move up the mountain at a great pace. This is when you can see the debt on the credit cards melting away and the vehicle is paid off.

Hopefully you’ve experienced a time or two where you’ve reached the pinnacle. A moment where you’ve stood on top of your financial challenges, having overcome them all. That’s the entire reason I started I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. – to help people achieve far more than they ever thought possible with their personal finances.

Of course, a look around while on the mountain top will reveal many other peaks requiring difficult climbs, but past successes will provide the fuel to get back to the top of those too.

Where are you at on your climb up your current financial mountain?

My Next 40 Years

March 31, 2014 in Finance with 3 Comments

Today is my birthday.

My 40th.

I’ve been blessed greatly during these 40 years. Here are a few of the greatest blessings:

Awesome parents
5 incredible brothers (including an identical twin – yes, there are TWO of us!)
Growing up on a farm in the country
Learning the value of work and serving others at a very young age
Literally seeing the principle of “sowing & reaping” at work all around me
Attending Purdue University and graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering
Meeting my bride, Jennifer, and getting married
Having a daughter when doctors were skeptical it could happen – and then having a son 10 years later, and then another beautiful daughter 4 years after our son. I still can’t believe we have three children. What a blessing!
Attending Clemson University and graduating with a Masters of Business Administration
Helping start NewSpring Church back in 1999 with my crazy lunatic friend, Perry Noble, and watching it grow to more than 33,000 people per weekend
Starting I Was Broke. Now I’m Not.
Multiple fishing trips – including many to Canada where I caught a 46.5″ 28# muskie
Purchasing INJOY Stewardship Solutions.
Purchased land where I can take my children to run free and wild like I did when I was a kid
Living in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 different dwellings (apartments & houses) in 4 cities (2 in Indiana, 2 in South Carolina)

If I’m blessed to live 40 more years, here are some of my dreams for those years:

Help my children graduate college without student loan debt
Fund my wife’s dreams (she’s be VERY patient while I pursued many of my dreams)
Maximize time with family through intentional blocking out chunks of quality time with them
Visit the world beyond North America – including Israel, Australia, England, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, Egypt, Brazil, and Argentina.
Serve 10,000,000 people through I Was Broke. Now I’m Not.’s personal finance and small business programs – enough to make a measurable difference in their individual situations and in the world economy.
Help NewSpring Church reach its goal of 100,000 people per weekend (and beyond)
Write 20 more books/resources/equipping classes
Become a trusted resource to and help influence the decisions of the United States Federal Government in such a way that we achieve a balanced budget and substantially reduce the National Debt
Start a university that is thriving after 40 years

Ultimately, I would love to achieve my life goal of being on the Great Wall of China when I’m 90 years old. Time will tell if I reach that goal. Check with me in 50 years.

By the way: Happy Birthday to my identical twin brother, Dr. John Sangl! We were 4 months old in the above picture!

How I Changed My Child’s Life In 15 Minutes

March 28, 2014 in Kids & Money with 1 Comment

I changed my new daughter’s life in just 15 minutes time a couple of weeks ago.

That’s quite a dramatic statement, isn’t it?

But it’s true.

How did I change her life?

Did I move?
Did I decide to change careers?
Did I do something super drastic?

Nope. In fact, I did something you could also do to change your child’s life.

Here’s what I did: I opened my daughter’s 529 college savings account and established automatic monthly contributions. It took a total of 15 minutes. And with that one decision and accompanying action, I changed her life.

Think about it. Because her mother and father took action when she was ZERO years old, when she is EIGHTEEN years old she won’t have to worry about: