My wife and I each have several time-intense commitments outside of our family (just read our bios). Not to mention the fact that we have a one-year-old, who needs regular well-visits to the doctor, has Parents as Teachers appointments every six weeks, and play dates to manage. We also have two mini-dachshunds who need regular shots, flea medicine, and baths. Sound familiar? My wife and I are both über-organized people, but we started to feel incredibly overwhelmed with scheduling issues once we had our daughter. We were communicating constantly about the calendar- pretty boring and it made our lives feel like work all the time.
Then, I found Gmail, and Google Calendar (I promise I’m not being paid to say this). My wife and I both set up accounts nine months ago. Once you have a Google account, you can set up a calendar for each person and set them to “sync.” The commitments are then color-coded by person. If my wife wants to schedule dinner plans, she can check to see if I’ve scheduled a client meeting for that time. If I have an FPA meeting, she will see it on the calendar and know that I can’t come home to watch our daughter while she attends to a Chladek Wealth VP commitment.
I know my blog is not about time, but syncing up how you’re spending your time can also help with how you spend your money each month. If you put your dinner plans, grocery day, soccer treat-taking, etc. on the calendar- then you know exactly how much you may have to spend during that time frame. The writing is on the virtual wall for both you and your spouse and the dialogue can then take place because you both know what you have to do and what the expense might be.
Do you have more month at the end of your money? Call me to schedule a free consultation- 913-693-7918 or visit our website for more information, www.chladekwealth.com
John P. Chladek, MBA, CFP® is the President and Founder of Chladek Wealth Management, LLC, a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm specializing in helping families and couples who are not yet retired realize their financial goals. For more information, visit http://www.chladekwealth.com.
All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of John P. Chladek, MBA, CFP®, President, Chladek Wealth Management, LLC. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual advisor prior to implementation. Investment Advisory services are offered by Chladek Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment advisory firm in the State of Kansas. The presence of this web site on the Internet shall in no direct or indirect way be construed or interpreted as a solicitation to sell or offer to sell investment advisory services to any residents of any state other than the State of Kansas or where otherwise legally permitted.