 View from my saddle In celebration of our fiscal-focus this month, I wanted point out an obvious point: It's cheaper to re-set than lose your mind. As many of you will agree, often we focus so hard on saving money and being frugal that we neglect our own well-being. It's certainly a temptation. Thankfully, I was single long enough before marrying and producing the boy that I am aware of my emotional and physical needs. Re: I can be selfish. Sometimes, that's not so good. But there are times when my need for self-preservation kicks in. Like right after harvest season. Or right after canning. Or before the holidays. Or after the holidays. Or after I've folded 15 loads of laundry. Or washed dishes. For two hours.  Helmet went on after this picture. Please, always wear one. Needing the aforementioned re-set, I purposed that it is indeed cheaper to spend the money than go nuts. God agreed. Out of seemingly nowhere, a cheque appeared in the mail. Now, my idea of re-set involves horses. Not just any horse - I have my own crazy, old trail horse. No, I need a quiet, calm, well-trained horse that wants to have fun. So took myself up to Tioga Trailrides. They are one of the few trail riding outfits left in our area. Talk about peaceful. 2 hours of riding through valleys, poplar groves, wind-swept fields, and hilltop vistas.  I hope you find your re-set opportunity. Because the holidays are coming, the dishes need to be washed, and I guarantee that somewhere in the near future, you'll be working through some laundry. Take the time. Remember, it's cheaper than losing your mind.  So peaceful...  I can breathe out here!
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 Caught in a financial spider web? It was the worse day of my life. I had to tell my husband that I had bungled our finances so badly that our 'bank' was in need of a bailout. It was not a good day. But from that really bad day, came some surprising blessings. My husband and I started talking about money, instead of hiding from the topic. We attended a Financial Peace University course. And we found the Trick to successfully managing our household spending. Mrs. Lynette Trick, to be exact. Now you know me - I can't keep a good thing to myself. My goal is to share what works for us, in the hopes that I can encourage you. And Lynette? This woman is a really good thing. Lynette is a sweet woman, with short grey hair, a compact body, and a no-nonsense manner. Her God-given gift is financial counseling and she operates from such a state of humbleness that every conversation is about how to improve our financial situation - never judging our past decisions and actions. This woman is the safest person I know of to talk to about finances. She's a certified financial counselor with Financial Peace University (a Dave Ramsey course), and offers Financial and Personal Spending Counseling. Since this month is all about finding financial balance, I asked her: What are the top four things people can do today to improve their financial situation? Her reply:
 If you're struggling with managing the finances, if you're worrying constantly, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, and waiting for the other shoe to drop - it's time to approach your money the same way you approach your other 'farm girl' tasks: You. Can.
Start small and work your way up to forecasting expenditures and saving for long-term needs. Build up a savings fund so when you have an emergency, you don't have to throw your plan out the window. I don't know about you, but we needed help to get that all under control. Having someone experienced, caring, and committed made all the difference. Having a mediator to sit down with my husband and me to work through the spending plan was simply brilliant. What do you think? Are you ready to live with one less thing to worry about? Contact: Lynette Trick, Williamsport, PA 570.327.9460/financialhope4u@gmail.com Lynette makes house-calls, will work via phone calls, or will host you in her own home office. She'll work with your family one-on-one, she'll come and talk to your community group, your small group, your sunday school and your group of best girl friends who are sick and tired of feeling frustrated about finances. |
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