*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*
This week: What's your financial plan for the holidays?
5 steps to take control of holiday spending early!

*Welcome to our 61 new subscribers since the last week! There
are now thousands of subscribers on five continents. You inspire me
to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank
you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

IN THE NEWS:

* I need your opinion! Go to http://www.valorieburton.com/poll.html and take my 30-second online poll about what you most want from my upcoming tele-seminars, audio, video and book projects. You'll be automatically entered to win a signed copy of my forthcoming book, What's Really Holding You Back? when it is released.

* Saturday, November 20th. Booksigning at Howard University's "Livin' Healthy with Dr. Ro & Friends" event. Meet me there from 2 - 4 p.m. Howard University Blackburn Center - Ballroom East.

* Have you watched my 3-minute American Airlines "Power Lunch" broadcast this week? It's made just for you! Log on to http://www.aa.com/takemethere

* Have you read Listen to Your Life and Rich Minds, Rich Rewards yet? Purchase your signed, $25 two-book package at http://www.valorieburton.com/books.html
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This week's topic: What's your financial plan for the holidays?
5 steps to take control of holiday spending early!

Dear Friends,

Can you believe the holidays are almost here? I want to simply remind you of something we all know, but with the hectic pace of life, sometimes forget: Being smart about your money means planning ahead. In about a week and a half, millions of Americans will rush department stores and toy stores in search of "perfect" gifts. This week, why not make a plan before the holidays begin? Not only will you control your spending, but you'll decrease your stress level by getting a head start shopping. Here are a few strategies to keep more money in your pocket this year:

1. Acknowledge the reason for the season.
One of the reasons spending gets out of hand during the holidays is because we are tempted to buy into the commercial notion that the holidays are about gift-giving. If you make a decision to focus on the spiritual significance of the season , you can begin to remove some of the pressure and expectations you may feel to overspend.

2. Commit to a spending limit.
Before you whip out the checkbook or credit card, take an honest look at your personal finances. Holiday spending can set a debt trap that many people spend half of the following year trying to get out of. How much can you comfortably spend this year without spending above your means or going into debt? Set a limit to your spending, and more importantly, stick to it.

3. Make a gift list.
Create a list of everyone you plan to shop for - and if you have clients to shop for, don't forget to make a separate list. By comparing your list with your spending limit, you can begin to prioritize the amount you'd like to spend on each gift.

4. Decide what you want before you go shopping.
Gifts are more fun to give when they reflect something special about the person receiving them. Before you go shopping, look at your list and identify the type of gift each person on your list would appreciate. Ask yourself, "What would they really enjoy? Is there anything that they need? Do they have a hobby or special interest that I could center my gift around?" Knowing what you want before you go shopping also saves time and frustration.

5. Set financial goals for 2005.
We're nearing the end of the year, which is the best time to make decisions about what you would to do in 2005. What are your top three financial goals for 2005? Be specific. How much more income do you want? How much do you want to invest? Is there a major purchase you'd like to make - like a house, car or boat? Do you want to get out of debt? By thinking about your goals now, you recognize the significance of taking control of your holiday spending.

Until next time ...

Warm wishes,
Valorie

Valorie Burton is a bestselling author, life coach and regular media guest on topics of living a more fulfilling, less stressful life. Subscribe to her weekly e-newsletter online at http://www.valorieburton.com. Her latest book, Listen to Your Life, identifies seven principles to hear what your life is saying to you and fulfill your purpose in your career, finances, relationships, health and spiritual life. You can watch her inspirational "Power Lunch" broadcasts at http://www.aa.com/takemethere.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Please feel free to forward the Rich Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter to friends and colleagues, but please forward in its entirety.

The Rich Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter is written and distributed
by Inspire, Inc. Copyright (c) 2004 Valorie Burton. All rights
reserved. http://www.ValorieBurton.com.

Send mail to:
Valorie Burton
INSPIRE, INC.
938 E. Swan Creek Road #202
Fort Washington, MD 20744