[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_post_title author=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”3.2.2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”37px”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_image src=”https://todayswomannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RachelRichards.jpg” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.23.3″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″]

We talked to Louisville’s own bestselling author Rachel Richards, who at age 27, quit her finance job and retired, now living off $10,000+ per month in passive income.

What are three smaller, realistic things I can do this year to change my money situation?

“First, start a budget. Yes, that sounds very tedious and boring, but budgets are empowering. A budget is a tool to get you where you want to go. Want to pay off your student loans? Start a budget. Want to buy a house? Start a budget. You can use the free financial tracking tool called Mint, which will pull all of your transactions into one centralized location. Track your expenses for one month; once you do that it will be very obvious where to cut back. 

Second, start paying more than the minimum on your credit card. Credit cards are designed to keep you in a vicious cycle of debt. Exorbitant interest rates combined with low minimum payments mean you’ll be paying it off for years to come. But even if you pay an extra $50, $20, or $10 towards the balance each month, you can shave off literal years from your debt-free journey.”

Third, when it comes to saving more money, we tend to focus on cutting expenses… which is great! Getting your spending in line is essential. However, it’s only half the equation. We can also save more money by increasing our income. Commit to finding one small, simple way to increase your income on a weekly or monthly basis. Can you offer to mow the neighbor’s yard? Babysit? Take an extra shift at work? Rent out a spare bedroom in your house? Manage your entrepreneur friend’s social media accounts? Better yet, focus on both decreasing your expenses and increasing your income to really make an impact with your savings.” [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_image src=”https://todayswomannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/21dayscoverimage.jpg” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.23.3″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.23.3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″]

How about 21 Days of Self- Love ?

“Self-love is about learning how to love and accept ALL of you just as you are right now, while striving to be the best version of yourself and create changes through love not force.” — Sara Drury, in her new book 21 Days to Self-Love.

Kentucky author Sara Drury offers up 21 days (because that is how long it takes to get a new habit) of easy-to-incorporate short, actionable tactics in her self-coaching guide and workbook, “The book is meant to be your companion and I am your guide. For 21 days, I ask the reader to set aside 10-30 minutes daily to do the work inside,” Sara says. 

P.S. How to stay strong when life becomes hard.  [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.2.2″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_comments show_count=”off” _builder_version=”3.16″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#000000″ button_border_color=”#000000″ button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” button_alignment=”center” button_text_color_hover=”#000000″ button_border_color_hover=”#000000″ button_border_radius_hover=”0″ button_bg_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#000000″ button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#000000″ button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_radius__hover=”0″ button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][/et_pb_comments][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]