Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Calendar Books by Allen James' reading for November 1st, from The Journey: A Calendar Book,

"Save your money when you can" (James, 2012).

We all know how impossible it seems to be to "get ahead" these days. I wonder if it's really ever been a possible task. I know my parents certainly weren't ever able to put back a nest egg. Saving money becomes more and more difficult with rising prices and higher taxes. So just what can we do to "put back" a few dollars for a rainy day?

Financial experts, of which I am not, tell us we should have 6 months of our income saved back in the event of a tragedy in our lives or a lay off, etc. "SIX MONTHS?" I hear you. Not a reality for me and I have no one else to provide for than myself. Something which hit as close to home as it can get to me recently. We spend what we make due to our lack of self control and our belief we should have anything/everything we WANT....not NEED.

There are countless blogs, websites, financial institutions, and yes, even scammers, who give "the best" ways to save our money. But most of us realize as well just saving money isn't going to take care of our insatiable need to spend.

Yes, I learned the "hard" way not to depend on what we're told; we have to find the strategy which works for us personally. But more than finding a strategy which works, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE TO SELF CONTROL AND WILL POWER TO CARRY IT OUT.

I taught in the public school system for 20 years, ultimately having almost 15% of my income taken out monthly for retirement. When I decided to go into full-time private practice after my first 13 years, I pulled out what I had paid in, (in Missouri, we pay in 14% and the school district matches with 14%, but if we take it out before retirement, we can only get what we've paid in of course; the other 14% stays in the retirement system). I invested my 13 years worth of retirement money with an respected investment firm which "guaranteed" a 9% return over the years. Then 9/11 happened and I lost all my "guaranteed" retirement. I had to start over again like millions of American's who had "guaranteed" nest eggs.

At one time my way of saving money is to NEVER spend dollar bills; if I'm paying with cash I always pay with $5 bills, $10 bills, etc., then I save the dollar bills in a savings account, etc. It's surprising how quickly dollar bills add up. If saving dollar bills seems to steep, save quarters, dimes, nickles; whatever is possible to put back, put back. Over a 4 year period I saved $8,000.00.

NOTE: Saving is NOT investing. Google the difference between the if further clarification is needed.

Prove to yourself you have self control....save money when possible.

Keep looking up. AJ