You have probably heard the phrase, “looking through rose-colored glasses”? If not, allow me to introduce you to this idiom. It basically means seeing things the way you want to see them while putting a positive spin on that. It’s not a bad thing, but sometimes you need to see something for what it really is. How many of us have ever spent impetuously because we were upset or angry? “Gee, my spouse spent $500 on a (insert whatever he might buy to feed his hobby here) without asking, I should be able to spend the same on (insert what you would like to get here)!” I’m sorry/not sorry, but this is NOT a healthy way to look at things. It’s just wrong. And it’s a great example of erroneous thinking when it comes to managing money. According to Kingsford, “Thoughts create the emotions that drive us...” Oh, how true it is! She also points out how events lead to thoughts, which in turn lead to feelings. For purposes of today’s post, I’m going to call this “The Cycle.” If you want to be f...

 I have said this before–things we experience as children can stay with us into adulthood and affect how we think. We may not even realize it. I have a short story to illustrate my point. A friend once shared with me a discussion she and her husband had when they were first married and had little money. During a budgeting and billpaying episode, my friend’s husband turned to my friend and said, “Well, we’re broke.” This caused my friend to break down in tears and have a panic attack. Her husband wasn’t sure what was going on until they shared the history that phrase held for each of them. To him, being “broke” meant there was no money for extras. To her, being “broke” meant going without food. If your parents were always worried about money while you were growing up, you might have an attitude of scarcity. If your parents were in a financial situation where you were handed money for whatever you needed whenever you needed it, you might not have a true understanding of where mon...

This may be too much information for some of you, and I apologize if I shared this personal story before, but my experience is the ultimate example of the message I’m trying to get across. I am on a first-name basis with my gastroenterologist. I started seeing him in my 30s for what the American Medical Association suggests doing when you turn 50 (and that’s getting a colonoscopy–there, I said it). I think I’ve had one about every 3 years since turning 35. But my gut health is NOT the subject of this post today. My attitude about them is. I hate them, pure and simple. It’s not the procedure, it’s the prep. It’s awful. At least it was. When I was due for my last one, I decided I was going to look at it entirely different; I was going to lose a few pounds, feel less bloated, and get some happy medicine and a good nap. I really went in with a different attitude and, ya know what? It wasn’t so bad, considering. You’ve heard this before, but your attitude about whatever you might be fac...

I have a sister with whom I am very close even though we live 2,000 miles apart (thank goodness for modern technology). We are just over two years apart. She and I look alike, are the same height (tall, lol) and have the same build. We have been asked if we are twins.  We are very socially, politically, financially, and spiritually like-minded. However, she possesses a trait that I do not–the desire to stick another person with a needle–she’s a nurse. The thought of drawing someone’s blood makes me woozy. But telling people how to budget their money? That is exciting to me–yes, it makes me a rare individual. My sister and I also share a passion for health and fitness (you might have even read her health blog). When we get together, we spend time working out, making healthy snacks, and sharing meals at restaurants, among other sisterly activities. When one of us comes across something that we appreciate, we know the other one will, too. Recently she told me about a book by Eliza K...