MONEY: I just earned $25 by staying home

Why am I talking MONEY on a space dedicated to space clearing and conquering your clutter?

One of the many energies that clutter draws to us is chaotic finances.  It is almost a 100% chance that if your life is cluttered, so are your finances. It also happens that when I meet new clients and ask what their main goals are from our work together, the main issues are LOVE, and MONEY.

When I show my new client where their Prosperity area is in their house, they are often aghast. That is the first reaction, the second is: “THAT is why I can’t hold on to money!”.

Yes, friends, this why I am talking money.

It is not only about getting your clutter energy in order and making sure your Prosperity area is feeling luscious and abundant, it is also about changing your attitude towards money. Money is your friend. Money loves you, you just have to stroke it and love it back.

Instead of making long lists of budgets and expenses (here is the Gemini in me talking!), live in the moment, and start talking to your money. For example, I love getting food on the go. I am always hungry, and though I should carry snacks, I don’t. Today I was out and about, and on my way home I thought: “I should pick up my son and get Sushi”.

Thankfully, I have a trip planned and am collecting cash for a car, so I have goals (see pics below if you want to see where my money mantra is going). That is the secret. If there is something you are saving for, don’t put it on a list. Print out as many pictures and hang them around your house. Make it the screensaver on your phone, so when you pull it out to check Yelp or your bank account, that is the first thing you see. Not only is this great for Law of Attraction, it is a reminder to not frivolously spend your money.

I pulled up to my house, went to my overflowing refrigerator (does your family tell you there is nothing to eat in the house when the fridge is stacked like Tetris, or that just mine?), and pulled out all the ingredients to make a killer Bacon-Avocado-Tomato-Cheese Sandwich. Given that 2 sushi rolls, drinks, and a tip would have cost me at least $25, I just EARNED $25 by just staying home.

Here is the mindset I want you have from now on. You are not SAVING money by making your own coffee, not buying the 20th black T-shirt because it is on sale, not eating out every day…you are EARNING this money. You have already earned it once by working your job, and now you are going to pay yourself that money you did not spend.

You heard me right: PAY YOURSELF THE MONEY YOU JUST BARELY PAID TO SOMEONE ELSE.  Put it in a jar, or send it to a separate savings account called “TREAT YOURSELF YOU BADASS”. Right away, don't dawdle.

You see, my friend, this is how you are going to fall back in love with your money. You are going to make sure that if you give your money to someone else, there better be a damn good reason you did not pay yourself that money first.

P.S. I am not against the “Track you expenses and make a budget” approach. I just tried it and and it did not work for me. I am now working a system that not only is getting us out of debt without us getting resentful, but I am letting our money do good things for us as we go. AND, I have an excellent credit score, even though I think that system is the biggest BS ever. So, if are interested, stay tuned. If not, just ignore any posts with “MONEY” starting the title.

Much love, Heike

Homesick! Also, the gateway to Budapest.

Heike wants a Bronco.

Getting Bessie back to her glory. Glamping!

When the Pyrex falls, the House Spirit is upset.

In my house, I know exactly when I have pushed the limits of mess & chaos too far. First, of course, I just feel it. You know when your house is getting off kilter. You can’t find things, you get antsy, it looks grungy, you are mostly grumpy & sluggish when you are at home. AND, the more chaotic and messy it gets, the more chaotic and messy the inhabitants get. Check this theory out, I am right. I have a 17 year old boy. so I am already pushing the odds.

Then the Pyrex falls. In masses. It starts with one bowl sliding out of the dish rack for no reason,  then another literally jumping out of my hand while washing dishes, and it goes on until I do an extreme intervention. If you have ever dropped Pyrex, you know the reason it is so fabulous in the kitchen is that they withstand anything, and when they break, they break into million pieces. A million. I also get sad, because I love my Pyrex bowls so much.

It really started two days ago with glasses breaking, but today was the final warning that shit is going to hit the fan if I don’t get moving. For days, I have been planning to connect with my kitchen that is still suffering from the last 3 weeks of county fair and vacation. I kept putting off. I was washing dishes and put a Pyrex down, just knowing not to. Schwuup! Another plate loosened itself from the dish rack and pushed my favorite daisy bowl right into the air. I was not fast enough, and when it hit the ground it shattered all the way in to the dining room. It is never any old Pyrex, but always one of my favorites. During the last episode, all three of my turquoise bowls were sacrificed.

Curse word. Curse word. Curse word.

My house spirit has spoken.

So as I prepare to deep clean and space clear my kitchen after the 10 other things I must still do today, let me leave you with some quick tips for your own kitchen cleansing/clearing.

1. Use lemon scented cleaner or essential oils. It is an immediate pick-me-up and clears the stagnant energy.
2. Throw on your favorite music and make it loud.
3. Sweep and vacuum out the energy.
4. Before you start cleaning, open all the windows and doors to outside, take a big pot or drum, and drive those nasty energy boogers right outside. No worries, your house spirit is hanging on and will bang right along with you!
5. Close up shop and clean.
6. After you are done, take out the trash and give our kitchen a quick saging.
7. If you don’t have one already, adopt a KitchenWitch. I make them and they are funny & mischievous, perfect keepers of the Kitchen once it is clean.

If your kitchen is in your prosperity corner like mine, make sure to have some shiny coins, big bills, or prosperity bowls in there to remind the Universe that you are now ready to receive again.

Go slay!
**if you need a little help appeasing your House Spirit, or just need some guidance where to start with your Clutter Clearing Journey, see my website at http://www.heikesharp.com. It would be my pleasure to assist you!

Giving thanks while keeping your $$'s

Every year around this time, there is a a lot of "giving thanks" floating around. Why is it that we concentrate on it so much during one short time, instead of all the time? I have to say, I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS! It starts with Halloween, and goes all the way through January 1st.  There is just something special in the air during this time.....and the lights! The light decorations everywhere are just magical. Unfortunately, it does not snow where I live, that would be ultimate.

With this magical time of year, we also get bombarded with sales. My goodness, all the things we did

Money Tree, gift from my son many years ago :).

not know we needed! This is the time people spend most of their money, and rack up credit. Many years ago, I would put some money aside specifically for Black Friday, I would hunt through the sales fliers to find the best deal, and head out at 4 or 5 am to snag my prize. Now, you have leave your dinner table, and Black Friday starts on Halloween. I worked retail for a few Holiday Seasons, and now I refuse to go shopping on any Holidays. It is pretty crappy when you have to leave festivities and go work. Black Friday is hyped up to make you think you are getting a deal, or you are losing out if you do not participate. Trust me, there is always another deal for you in the Universe. Stay in control.

Remember, it is your money. I know it is hard to resist the super sales in your inbox. I have started deleting and unsubscribing. When I need something specific, I will go and check for sales & coupons. Impulse buys are thwarted this way.

As you know, I am both a Certified Clutter Coach, and an avid estate sale treasure hunter. A contradiction? Trust me, I am not perfect, and do succumb to impulse buys....BUT....here are some of my tricks for every day saving and getting through the holidays without maxing out your credit card. It is the time to show our love with gifts, but take some time and ponder on this. It is not the price of the gift, but the thought you put into it for the receiver.

1. At this point in time, it is too late to save for Yule or Christmas presents, but it is never too late to set a budget. I set a budget for gifts for family. Gift exchanges are $10. We have done gift exchanges like this, and everyone has come up with FABULOUS gifts. Plus, no one feels awkward. Estate sales & thrift stores are your friend. Not only do you save, you recycle!

2. I have recently discovered Facebook Marketplace! I always check there and Craigslist first. You would be surprised what people are selling. I found a $300 IKEA desk for $35. I do suggest giving yourself plenty of time, people list new things every day.

3. Make things! One of my favorite gifts is a framed paper a friend wrote the words she saw when she though of me :). Herbed vinegars in pretty bottles, vanilla sugar, ginger beer....ideas are endless.

4. Even estate sales & thrift stores can be money suckers! Set yourself a budget AND STICK TO IT. Learn to haggle :)....it becomes a fun game. I will reiterate: Stick to your budget. Even if the item is only $5 more. If you can't negotiate it down to your price, let it go. I know it is hard, I have had to do it many times. But it feels good to be in control, and is what it is all about. 

5. Often, people tell me "I have teens, they don't want that. They want an iPhone!". Well, so do I. But, I have to work for it. Just think about that, and think of the love & experience you can give that teen if you think of something more original. Let them earn these expensive gadgets. Ask my kids, they can give you tips :). They both bought their own phones.

Of course, if you want to buy a unique gift, I am always going to steer you to Etsy. So many fantastic items, made & listed with love. I even made a gift guide for you, perfect pairings for both the hanging Kitchen Witches, and the Streghe. Both come with love & magic, as well as tradition.

Whatever happens this Holiday season, give yourself love, have fun, be grateful, and enjoy the magic!
Much love,
Heike