The younger we are when we learn how to handle money, the better it is for us! Though a three-year-old won’t be able to explain terms like ‘diversification,’ they can learn that cleaning their room results in a great big one dollar bill. ~smile~ Teenagers can appreciate the beauty of depositing a paycheck into their savings and checking accounts (and learning to balance a checkbook). Young adults preparing for marriage, and young adults with no intentions of getting married any time soon, can learn how to get on the right financial foot by reading and implementing the information found in a … [Read more...]
Managing Money, What’s to Know?
What emotion fills you when you hear the following words: “budget,” “savings,” “investing,” “spreadsheets,” and “insurance?” Some of you probably felt your hearts beat just a little bit faster. Money and the managing of it brings a joyful spring to your step. You enjoy charts, graphs, and keeping a sharp eye on your bank accounts and investment portfolio. Others of you probably read the phrase “managing money” in the title and immediately ran for cover. After all, we aren’t all financial nerds. Those who love dealing with finances are typically proud of their nerd status. Those who don’t … [Read more...]
Sometimes, Size Does Matter
Have you ever worked in the food service industry? I haven’t, but my sweetie did when he was younger. Since knowing him, I’ve grown to respect those who cook and bring us our food; it is a tough industry. In fact, Eric wants each of our kids to spend at least six months working in food service at some level so they’ll learn to work hard, communicate well with others, and so they’ll have to sweat as much as he did ~smile~ {Eric’s note: And also so they learn what it is like to serve the public.}. Since I have enjoyed my jobs in calm offices surrounded by staplers, paperclips, and file … [Read more...]
Do You Both Have Similar Views on Giving?
Something that may not come up in conversation, until after you’re married, are your views on charity and giving (e.g., gifts, meals for people in need, having people over for dinner, etc.). If one of you thinks one small gift for Christmas per immediate family is a sufficient amount of giving and the other wants to support several charities, bring food and gifts to all baby and wedding showers, and play Santa Claus to the entire children’s wing of your local hospital, you are going to have a number of disagreements! Therefore, having similar levels of generosity is fairly necessary in a … [Read more...]
What You Can Give When You Don’t Have Money
Are you rich? Chances are you are like most of us who cannot claim millionaire status. When it comes to giving to and blessing others, it's easy to feel like you don't have anything worthwhile to give if you can't give money. Thankfully, that is simply untrue. There are people who have been blessed, many through extremely hard work and sacrifice, with a generous salary or accumulated wealth. It is a blessing when such people give generously, willingly, and cheerfully of their abundance to others, but giving money is not the only giving you can do. Giving of your time and energy can be just … [Read more...]