As I look over my finances (as we all do often these days), I find that there is not that much out there to put towards your fitness, figure or Bikini competition after the bills are all paid. Oh boy!

I started a few months ago, writing out vary specific goals, for very specific issues.

1) Financial (home)
2) Financial (fitness)
3) Personal Accomplishment
4) Fitness/ Physique Accomplishment

I've been thru enough Seminars, read enough "self-help" books and articles, and have had my mentors and elders shake their fingers in my face with the "you should...." topics, to know that you must have a plan of attack and written out goals to be able to make your them a reality!

Every time I get a meal plan update from Mike Davies (www.mikedaviesfitness.com) I re-write my new goals for my next 3 weeks.

I also have my 12 month "fitness expenses" written out; I have all travel expenses to shows, workout and meal plan update expenses, Hair apt expenses, business card expenses etc.... spread out over 12 months so that I do not blow thru cash recklessly.

looks like this:

February:
MD meal plan update $30
Tanning products $50
New Luggage $100
Hair products $70
Total: $250

March:
Hair $160
MD meal plan update $60 (2 diets)
Toiletries $70
Vancouver Natural Hotel $170
Vancouver Natural Gas/Travel $200
Total $660

April:
NPC Card $85
Business Cards $45
MD meal plan update $30
Laura Mak pants at Ecup $100
Spokane Empire Classic Hotel $160
Spokane Empire Classic Gas/Travel $200
Total $620

Basically, you really DO NEED TO KNOW what to expect in the next 3-6 months what's going to be needed, so you don't get blind sighted with NOT being able to do the things you want to do. Most financial advisors would scream at not having a 5 - 10 year plan written out as well, so let's start with your 6 month plan, expand it to 12 months, then the 2 years, 5 years, etc....

All bills get paid First. This fitness/figure/bodybuilding/bikini/spectator thing cannot get in the way of you securing a happy and healthy lifestyle. Putting things into categories may help some of you determine whether or not competing is in your near....or distant future. There are a ton of tiny little things that creep up into your wallet that you cannot foresee, unless it's all budgeted and you stick to the plan!

So, I do urge you to get out that handy dandy Excel format, pencil and paper, or whatever means you prefer, and write out your year....what trips, what expenses, what events, what THING - bday presents, Car Tabs, SAVINGS you want to put away, moving?, and I can go on and on.....Everyone has something going on in their lives....and it all adds up!

Write it out!

~Trainer Shannon