In last week’s blog we discussed how to live within your means and generate positive cash flow by conservatively estimating your INCOME. But that’s only half of the equation. You must also carefully manage and control what you spend.

 
When it comes to the EXPENSE side of the equation, your goal is to spend less than you earn on a regular basis. This is how you generate positive cash flow and have money available to invest. However, for many people, this is the most difficult part of managing their finances, for several reasons:

1. They don’t keep track of it and develop a budget. Those small items can add up!
2. They fail to consider seasonal expenditures (e.g., gifts, vacations, and property taxes).
3. They have no idea how expensive children and pets are!
4. They don’t appreciate how much more expensive it is to own a home than rent an apartment.
5. They forget about finance charges on credit card balances.
6. They live a more lavish lifestyle than they can afford:
   1. They’re lured into spending on impulse items.
   2. They purchase big-ticket items such as homes and cars that are far too expensive for their budget.
   3. They assume that if they purchase it on credit, they’ll figure out a way to pay for it later.
   4. They place too much value on possessions and expensive brands in order to impress others.
   5. They’re too impatient—wanting it now rather than saving up for it.

 
It’s essential to discipline yourself to spend less than you make (thereby generating positive cash flow) and regularly measure your progress. Remember that if your cash flow is negative, your options are to: 1) increase your income (not always possible!) and/or 2) reduce or postpone your expenses.
 
One of the best ways to generate positive cash flow is to set up an automatic savings plan where a set percentage of your income is placed in an investment program each month. It will force you to save and help you resist the temptation to overspend.
                                                                     
Do you monitor your spending versus your income to ensure you’re living within your means? This is true whether you’re a college student on a modest income or an executive earning seven figures. Share your comments and questions: we’d love to hear your experiences and ideas!

Money will never make you completely happy—but mismanaging it can be a life wrecker!
 
Money problems are among the top reasons for divorce, alcoholism, and suicide in our country. For these, and many other reasons, it’s critical to become a wise manager of your financial resources. You should consider this one of your greatest priorities and our nation’s educators should too.
 
Having a positive (and growing net worth) is essential for all of us, and the good news is it’s not rocket science. Simply put, it requires two things: 1) living within your means by spending less than you make and 2) building long-term wealth through a regular savings and investment program. This will set you up for success in both the short- and long-term.
 
In order to generate positive cash flow, you must spend less than you make. That means conservatively estimating your income and ensuring you have a “cushion” left over after all of your spending. Trouble sets in when you either overestimate your income or underestimate your spending.
 
Here’s where many run into trouble on the INCOME side:

1. They forget that their take-home pay is roughly 60% of their gross salary (after taking into account deductions like federal and state income taxes and Social Security)
2. They assume that a spike in their income is the new “normal” level of earnings and ratchet up their spending accordingly.
3. They assume their strong investment returns in the recent past will persist.

 
It’s important to recognize whether your career provides a steady or volatile income. Generally speaking, the more your income is tied to sales (e.g., real estate agents) or project work (e.g., writers, architects, actors) the more it will fluctuate over time. This income pattern presents unique challenges in your financial planning because you can’t forecast the next few years based on the recent past.
 
Consequently, people often overestimate their future income when they just had a great year. Then, they increase their spending just when their income falls back to normal. Not good!
 
Don’t fall into this trap. Plan your income conservatively—it’s far better to be positively surprised than disappointed!
 
What are some ways you’ve learned to live within your means and generate a positive cash flow? Have you developed creative and effective ways of showing these principles to your own children or students? Share ideas and questions by commenting below; we’d love to hear from you!