Choose

This time of year many of us begin to think about next year.  Right after Christmas  gifts are opened, many people start thinking about the debt they have incurred, the jobs they must go back to, and what the future holds for the following year.

For the first two or three months of the new year, people consider making changes in their finances:  saving more money, putting more away for retirement, and spending less, etc.  But financial matters take work and most people are not willing to stick with it for the long haul.  But the long haul is what it will take.  Anything worth having, and financial security is worth having, takes work.  It's not something you can set up once and never review again until the money is needed.  Just like anything else of importance, changes and updates will need to be made from time to time.  This is especially true when life events happen--expected or unexpected.    

Although anytime is a great time to make changes, the beginning of the year is a great time.  Everyone considers the new year as a fresh start for saving money, losing weight, and investing in the relationships of family and friends.  The new year is traditionally a time of turning over a new leaf. 

The fact is however, we must have a plan.  We may have the best ideas and the best intentions, but without a plan, its just self-sabotage.  The good thing about plans is that they can be tweaked, changed.  Allowing for some change removes the frustration that can sometimes set in, when our plans are not going, well, as planned.  How much money would we like to save over the next 12 months?  Be realistic.  We would all like to save much more than we probably actually can, but we must start somewhere.  When planning for saving, we must look at our overall budget: income, bills, emergencies, etc.  Regardless, I guarantee that if you stick with your plan, by this time next year, you will be pleasantly surprised, and indeed a little proud of yourself. 

When planning, remember to include those who will be involved in your venture.  If you are married, that means your spouse.  If you have children that means they should be involved in saving as well.  Children are never too young to understand the value of money.  In fact, if they are not taught the value of money when they are very young, they are being set up for when they are accosted by credit card offers on their college campus, or just whimsical spending.  They are being set up for financial failure.

Speaking of financial failure, although I do not suggest you run out and spend like crazy because you can eventually recover from losing everything to bankruptcy, job loss, etc.,  it is not the end of the world.  But it does take time to recover, in some cases a very long time.  It is best to do things right the first time.  Do not be afraid to sit down with a financial counselor.  A third party always has an objective viewpoint that you and your family may not be able to see. 

This may not be obvious to everyone, so I will say it.  Saving money means you will not be able to buy everything you want, at least not right away.  If your plan is to save $50 per paycheck, that means $50 that cannot go towards that new pair of shoes, that nice bag, or that sudden road trip.  Stick to your plan no matter what, because something will always come up and you will find that you have saved nothing by this time next year. 

Finally, like most things of importance in life, you cannot tell everyone what you are doing, just do it!  Some friends and family members cannot handle change.  If they see you changing for the better, they may mean well, but be on the look out for sabotage.  The bottom line is this: many of you are believers who know that God watches over you, but He wants you to use common sense.  He wants us to treat our finances with care.  Opposition will come in the guise of emergencies and sabotage, but stick with it, and if you do have a true emergency, you will have the money to handle the situation.  Just remember to replenish the account.

I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed, safe, and happy new year.  Below is one of my favorite passages of scripture.  I hope it gives you the same peace it does me.   

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26.


                                                                                                                                       finance