Kim Anderson - Live. Save. Spend. Repeat.: The Life You Want with the Money You Have

W hen I was a kid, I would spend hours tucked away in my room writing books and novels in tattered spiral-bound notebooks. I wanted more than anything to be a published author one day. To be able to hold a beautiful bound book in my hand with my name on the cover and bring stories to life that would help or entertain people. Fast-forward many years and here I am. But I didnt get here alone and Id like to say a special thanks to:

My fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Mead. I wrote one descriptive story that year and she told me I was a good writer. She planted the first seed of confidence in my little heart.

My agent, Blythe Daniel, for having an open heart and open mind when a random blogger approached her in a hotel lobby. For challenging me to dig deeper, write better, and get my story into the world. And for believing in that story enough to fight for it.

My editor, Kathleen Kerr, for being an ongoing, positive cheerleader through the whole process from proposal to publish. Your confidence, support, and belief in me and my message helped me enjoy every step of the book-writing process.

Thanks to Harvest House Publishers for taking a chance on this thrifty lifestyle mom blogger and helping me fulfill a lifelong dream of being traditionally published. Im honored that my dream was fulfilled with such a prestigious publishing house.

My mom and dad for teaching me the ways of thrifty living, making me drive used cars, paying for my education, and helping me become a debt-free adult right out of college.

And last, but certainly not least, my husband, Cressel. From day one youve always encouraged me to dream big, write, and experiment. For all the times you took off work so I could attend conferences or got the kids out of the house so I could write. Thanks for helping me finish this book during the craziest season of our lives ever. For taking care of our newborn twins while I finished chapters. For being intentional with the time you spend with our children. I love you and could not have made this happen if you werent there supporting and cheering me to the finish. I love you.

I f you are single or divorced, know that this journey is just as important for you! You can lead a strategic life that actively funds the life you really want. As you read through this you may think you are at a disadvantage since you dont have a second person in your life to help you fund your milestones, but in reality, there are some perks to doing this adventure on your own!

1. Your life goals are yours and you dont have to run them by anyone else. Therefore, you arent faced with the task of compromising or waiting your turn to do something.

2. You have complete control of your time and money, so you dont have to worry about what someone else is doing with your money, how they are spending, or waiting for them to sync up with you on budget night.

3. You can start your own journey today, and you dont need to wait for someone else to understand it or get on board with you.

4. If you dont have kids, you may have far more flexibility in doing side-hustle jobs that get you to your goals faster. For example, before I had kids, it was way easier for me to pick up extra paid work on the weekends and evenings because I didnt have kids to care for.

This journey can be done even if you find you live on a single income. Remember, we paid off $93,000 on one income, so it can be done! I hear one-income debt payoff stories all the time. It simply comes down to you knowing exactly what you want out of life and going after it with the time, talents, skills, and money you have to work with.

I f youd like further help defining your Momentum Milestones, lets work through some samples together. First, lets review the seven steps of the Momentum Milestone Success Formula:

1. Write down a detailed Momentum Milestone.

2. Know the why behind your Momentum Milestone.

3. Quantify your Momentum Milestone.

4. Add the steps you need to take to achieve your Momentum Milestone.

5. Create a deadline for your Momentum Milestone.

6. Decide if your Momentum Milestone is feasible.

7. Fund your Momentum Milestone.

Financial Momentum Milestones

One-Year Milestone

By December 31, I want to pay off $5,000 of my credit card debt by paying an extra $450 a month on my payment.

Reality check: Does your Easy Sync Budget show that you have an extra $450 a month to put on your loan?

Yes? Good! Keep that Financial Milestone.

No? Tweak it or delete it. How much extra can you realistically put on that debt? Adjust your goal to be realistic, or set a new goal that helps you make or save an extra $450 a month to make it work. For example, an adjustment goal could look like this:

By December 31, three years from now , I will pay off $5,000 of my credit card debt by not using my card and paying an extra $138 per month on each credit card payment.

In the next 30 days I will get a second job doing ______ and earning an extra $450 a month. I will pay an extra $450 each month on my loan payment so that by December 31, I will have paid off $5,000 from my credit card debt.

Do you see how all the parts of the Momentum Milestone Success formula are woven into the creation of your Momentum Milestone? Its really just a simple step-by-step guide to turn a broad idea into something you can accomplish within a given time frame. You can start broad and then narrow it down, breaking it into bite-size chunks, walking through each of those steps until youve given it all the parts it needs to be a solid Momentum Milestone.

Now do the same thing for your three-year and five-year Financial Momentum Milestones.

Examples of Relationship Momentum Milestones

One-Year Milestones

Every month this year, I will schedule a babysitter by the third of the month and my husband and I will go on a date outside of our house.

Every month this year, on the first day of the month I will plan and schedule a fun activity in which every member of our immediate family participates.

On the fifth of every month for the next year, I will send Grandpa a care package in the mail.

Three-Year Milestones

For the next 36 months we will save up $9,000 by putting aside $250 a month to take a second honeymoon in Europe.

By June 1, three years from now, I will take Dad to Atlanta for a weekend to see his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves, play a baseball game.

Five-Year Milestones

Over the next five years, by July 31 I will book one weekend in October as a couples getaway.

In order for my son to be able to attend private middle school three years from now, I will put aside $600 per month for the next five years to help save for his tuition.

Ten-Year Milestones

In ten years Id like my husband and me to have retired early, live in an RV, and be location independent.

Ten years from now Id like to have Mom living in our guest suite so we can help take care of her.

Examples of Career Momentum Milestones

One-Year Milestones

By December 31 I will have made an extra $25,000 in commissions by making five extra sales calls before I leave work each day.

Three-Year Milestones

In the next 36 months Ill actively pursue the manager promotion that I want at work by completing the manager training, showing up on time, and proving I have what it takes.

Five-Year Milestones