Confessions of a Poor Money Manager

This post was passed on to me by a friend. The original author is unknown but is excellent.  I thought I’d share them with you today. Think about it: If you practiced just one of these tips each day, I’d guarantee that the world outlook,  our economy wouldn’t appear so bad and perhaps even more manageable. I hope you enjoy!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.  It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My purpose is to__________ today.’
5. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time for prayer and Bible study. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of  6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people  smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, OR negative thoughts or things you can not control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. (I don’t quite understand this one.  Must be my blonde hair!)
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will this matter?’
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and  enjoy the ride.
40. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Author unkown.

I’ve added my 10 Tips

1. God owns it all! Every dollar in your pocket, bank accounts, stock portfolio and 401K belongs to Him! Go ahead and acknowledge it!
2. Implement a spending plan (www.crown.org), which, of course, used to be called a budget.
3. Stop borrowing! Now!
4. Get out of debt now. Implement the debt snowball.
5. Establish an “emergency ” fund. Most household and everyday emergencies are less than $1,000.
6. Spend less than you make. The average American spends $1.26 for every $1.00 earned.
7. Save money. Every day look for ways to save money. Once these dollars are gone, they are gone!
8. Give. Be generous. The Bible teaches us to be generous givers. God promises to “open the windows of heaven and give us a blessing that we cannot believe!” (Mal 3:10).
9. Avoid Greed. Jesus said, “…beware of all kinds of greed…for a man is not defined by what he has.” (Luke 12:15 ff)
10. Take a step in the right direction. The first steps of any journey are always the hardest. Start a personal journey of financial freedom today!

Be sure and add your own through the comment box below.

Ashley Clayton, money management expert, providing support and guidance to pastor’s financial management ministry to their congregations.