By Frank Risper
Well, we are a couple of months into the new year. In speaking for myself, it looks like 2008 is going to demand my A-Game. Life can spiral out of control if you don’t pay attention. Now is the time to keep the pace or to pick it up a notch or two. Think about starting with the little things around the house. In other words, it’s time to get your house in order.
Money is getting tighter. Food, gasoline, housing and just about everything else is going up in pricing but our paychecks aren’t growing along with it. It’s getting harder to hold on. The job market is down, right along with the stock market. Thousands of people are losing their homes to foreclosure.
But all isn’t lost. I know that I have to work harder this year and so do you.
It starts with the small things like taking care of the broken railing on the stairway. You have been telling yourself that you are going to fix it. Well that was two months ago. It could be that you have a leaking faucet in the bathroom.
What ever your “little things” may be, try to take care of them one day at a time. Try and put a little money away every pay day. The first house that I ever bought, I made the down payment with pocket change I saved over the years. All of the change added up. Coins spend just as well as dollars.
In doing these few things, you will take some of the stress off of yourself and your family. You’ll also be preparing for the future or if emergencies come up. I’d love to say that all is well in our current environment but it’s not. I must call it like I see it. You can buy $100.00 tennis shoes or you can wear the ones that you have a little bit longer and put that money in the bank for other uses. It doesn’t matter how much money you earn or how stable you think your situation is, every one needs to start cutting back and saving.
The economic stimulus money that you get should go in the bank and earn interest. It’s money that you didn’t expect to have anyway. Let that gift be your first step towards financial freedom.
If this article doesn’t pertain to you, read it again. God only knows what the future holds. If you can see a faint glimmer of yourself in this article, then please do not fail to consider. Start taking baby steps but making a list of the things you can do around your house for little to nothing.
Peace to you and God bless each and every one of you. My prayers especially go to those who have lost their homes or jobs.
Remember to keep the faith trust and God only and seek after a pure heart. God will be pleased.
