Skip to main content

Start with the End in Mind

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 Kingsford that she has been reading entitled, “Brain-powered Weight Loss.” Kingsford outlines 11 steps for taking and keeping off excess weight, but her behavior-based measures can be applied to so much more than weight loss, including finances.

Over the next few months, it is my goal to take the wisdom Kingsford has shared and add my own two cents worth of ideas on how it can be applied to personal finance. And I would like to start with some of the benefits you can look forward to when you put her ideas, coupled with my own thoughts, into action.

Many people think that living on a budget is restricting. I find the exact opposite to be true. When I tell my money what it’s going to be spent on, I don’t feel guilty for buying a new pair of shoes on sale, nor do I have to worry about what I will have to forgo because I bought them. And since I’m not putting the shoes on a credit card, they’re costing me the exact amount for which they’re advertised–I’m not paying interest upon interest. Like losing weight reduces stress on your body, living within ones means and, on a budget, reduces stress: on your pocketbook, in your relationship with your significant other, and on your mind, which in turn, reduces stress on your body. It’s a win-win-win-win.

So, “take a walk with me” during the next 11 weeks as we draw correlations between a healthy body and healthy finances.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Know Your Limits

When I was 17, I drove a 73 Nova. It used to be really easy to do things like changing taillights myself. That is no longer the case. If I tried that on my later-model vehicle (which is more like a computer than a car), I’d do more damage than good, because there are some thing you should just not do yourself. It will cost you more in the long run. That being said, there are probably some things that you usually pay someone else to do that are not getting done right now. My advice is to just be patient; depending on what it is and your skill level, it might end up costing you more to fix your mistakes. Let’s discuss some of those… Obviously, most if not all car repairs are just better done by a licensed, trained professional, including oil changes. They can also correctly dispose of used petroleum products. Depending on your tax filing status, a professional can help you avoid overpaying the IRS. I remember cutting my daughter’s hair when she was little, and I made a me...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gifts that Matter

When I think about my childhood, there are a few events (some good, some not so good) that really stand out. These specific incidents made big impacts on me, so they really stuck. I bet you can say the same thing. These encounters, good and bad, help shape who we are. As parents, it is our job to teach our children to be honest, upstanding, contributing members of society. This does not happen by accident. Part of this process involves the experiences we give our children–we can orchestrate PEAK moments for our families that will leave lasting impressions on young, impressionable minds. What is a PEAK moment? According to de Jager Meezenbroek, Garssen, van den Berg, van Dierendonck, Visser, and Schaufeli in the Journal of Religion and Health , “Peak experiences are often described as transcendent moments of pure joy and elation. These are moments that stand out from everyday events.” Christmas offers an EXCELLENT opportunity to offer experiences that can become “PEAK moments” in ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Greener Pastures

Those of you who have been following me for some time now know I am a warm-weather person. Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. I COME ALIVE when Daylight Saving Time starts. As far as I’m concerned, LIGHT IS LIFE. And that proclamation is a perfect segue into today’s topic. As the days get longer and warmer, most venture outside a little more and hibernate less. So it’s the perfect time to adjust our schedules and homes that can help save the planet and some of our hard-earned money. How? Well, there are lots of little things you can do that, added up, can make a huge difference. Switch out your regular light bulbs for LEDs. If you plan to buy a new appliance, purchase one with the ENERGY STAR seal and recycle your old one. Insulate your doors and windows. Save rainwater to water your landscape in the drier days ahead. Use the sun to dry your laundry by hanging it on a clothesline. Want more ideas? Google is LOADED with suggestions! Get the whole family involved and m...
Post a Comment
Read more