Tips for Getting Your Teenagers to Save Money

To save money is an important responsibility and an essential trait to have in adulthood.

To be able to save money in spite of the mass media is a daily challenge for each of us. The media is relentless as it targets our every desire for material things and specialized services designed to make our lives easier, better and happier.

Learning the Value of Money

The value of money takes on a completely different meaning when your teenager is required to spend his/her own money. Thus, from experience, they learn to carefully consider things before they actually make a purchase as well as a keener appreciation for their purchase.

Money Here; Money Gone Tomorrow

Spending money can be likened to enjoying a good meal. After your appetite is satisfied, the event is over and the money you paid for it is gone too. Therefore, for this reason alone, it is vitally important to teach your teenage children how to save money.

Need for Proper Education

They also need to have a proper education which will prevent them from falling victim to the numerous financial traps and scams that are becoming such common occurrences in our daily lives. It seems no one is safe from these vicious acts, especially the older generation.

Ways you can encourage your teenage children to start to save money

 Set an example. “Practice what you preach.” Save money in a savings account and/or buying other equity funds, such as stocks and bonds.
 Encourage your teenager to take on jobs to earn money.
 Have your teenager open a bank account and save the money they have earned.
 If you are able, give them a bonus when they save specified amounts of money.
 Again, if you are able help them to invest in the purchase of mutual funds and stocks, etc.

Stressed = Desserts [spelled backward]

Do you ever wonder if this why so many of have problems being overweight?

It is a well-known fact that stress is the source of a multitude of chronic health problems ranging from:

 Heart trouble
 Panic/anxiety attacks
 Angina or heartburn
 Severe Depression
 Irritable Bowel Syndrome
 Hypoglycemia
 Apathy leading chronic fatigue
 Migraine headaches
 Insomnia

Common Causes of Stress

We are literally bombarded with stressful information, whether from the global news of natural or man-made catastrophes; the national news coverage of civil unrest and/or political confrontation and/or economic downturns; or local news coverage echoing the above events that are occurring on the local scene.

Then to offset this, the Madison Avenue media expose us to all the hyped-up products designed to make us rich, beautiful, happy in addition to solving all our problems – for a price. It used to be that one could turn off the television and avoid most of this noise. Now, it has invaded the Internet with its obnoxious pop-up ads and blaring videos.

Stop Stress Now!!

Any feeling that creates a contradiction in and to your feeling of contentment [stress] is an “untruth” and does not serve you. It is just like the virus that infects your computer. Hit the delete key!!

Another way to look at stress is to equate it with confused imagination.

Control Your Exposure to Stress

You can control your exposure a small amount of stress by taking some part in some of the following actions:

 Turn off the TV. I permanently turned off my TV over ten years ago and have never missed the “noise”.
 Turn on your favorite music.
 Go for a walk whenever you feel “stressed out”.
 Visit the library or bookstore. Some bookstores even have coffee shops.
 Start small “de-cluttering” projects. Hold a garage sale or donate unused items to your favorite charity thrift shops.
 Treat yourself by brewing a special cup of tea or coffee and grab a good book to read, if only for a few minutes while the house is quiet.
 Start a craft project you enjoy such as needlepoint, knitting, updating photo albums, etc.

How to Avoid Stress

The best way to avoid stress is to “Live in this moment only, RIGHT HERE and RIGHT NOW.” The means observe where you are in your current feelings and surroundings without judgment and accept this present moment “Just as it is” with out fear about the future. This moment of RIGHT NOW is all there is.

Disciplining your conscious mind to relax into this mode of thought is THE MOST effective way to avoid stress “period”.

Until we meet again--Have a Wondrous and Glorious Week

Reclaiming Your Power

Power has many different meanings which can vary among whomever you talk to.

 For some, power is measured by their influence and direct control they have over other people’s lives;

 For others, power is acquired temporarily by the direct control they can exert over other people by means of threat;

 For still others, their claim to power and happiness is measured by the approval of their friends, neighbors and others who belong to their social networks; and the list of meanings goes on.

But what about the personal power that is the core of your being? There are many people who feel entrapped or overwhelmed by their responsibilities in life. Decades go by, each year draining a little more of who we truly are. And then some of us awaken to the fact that we have really lived our life empoverished by these erroneous feelings of entrapment, howbeit, late in life.

At this point, let’s look at a few of the major emotional challenges that are a part of our daily lives,

 We are faced with more chronic health problems which often start in childhood;

 We are living longer, many with declining quality of life;

 The foundation of the “old economy” is changing leaving many without stable incomes;

 And, if this not enough, we are alerted to all the life challenges occurring on the global scale.

Who, When, What, How and Why?

 “Who” means YOU.

 “When” means NOW.

 “What” means it is essential to assume responsibility for our own being. When you try to spend more money than you have, you end up owing a debt. When you over-extend yourself, the same principal applies. Thus, it is absolutely essential that you establish your boundaries; thereby becoming accountable and assuming responsibility for your own inner being.

 “How” means you can reclaim your self-esteem and self confidence by taking action on the following steps;

1. Accept yourself and your current life situation without judgment and/or labels;
2. Learn to live only “in the RIGHT NOW moment” without consideration for past experiences or what the future may hold;
3. Assume an “I can” attitude in all challenges;
4. Believe in yourself;
5. Be grateful and feel good not only for this particular challenge but for your success in acknowledging and confronting it; and
6. Above all, learn to love yourself unconditionally.

 “Why” means to be forewarned, “If you should make the choice to ignore this responsibility by taking no action, you are choosing to continue your emotional suffering and unhappiness.”

Enough said.

Take good care and Have a Wonderful Week!!

How to Make Success Not Just Obtainable but Sustainable

Each of us has a fundamental need to consistently improve our life. Our self satisfaction continues to grow as we feel that we are contributing to the well being of our family members, friends and our community through our influence and actions.

However, it is very easy to become a victim of the materialistic value belief that says the more you own the more power you have to influence others. It is unfortunate that this often becomes the benchmark we use to judge our personal success. Then we become complacent, thinking that once we have everything we our life will be perfect and filled with happiness.

But then there is the “gap effect” part of your subconscious that is always prodding you to strive for the next level. Are you on this “wheel” that that spins on its axle and goes nowhere?

Do I need to add that this is like the computer virus that can bring your computer to a halt? Likewise, this insatiable drive can bring you to a halt both emotionally and/or spiritually.

If you should need further evidence of this, look at the news items relating to the current suicides that take place frequently such as the top fashion models, the immediate family member of international political figures or “fallen” community leaders.

Were you aware that the word “success” comes from Latin and means “to advance” or “to improve”. This implies that success is a continuing process and not a “means to an end”. Stated a different way, success allows you a better quality of life; thus, moving you forward to having a better life experience. This was my lesson for the day.

This brings us to the “sustainable” concept of success.

It is impossible to sustain “inner peace” when you depend on other people or external things to make you happy. The feeling of happiness comes from the enjoyment of external things, things outside of you; and therefore, is temporary. I recommend that you stop and ponder what your feelings would be if other people were suddenly removed from your life and/or you lost your possessions.

Nor can you achieve any level of sustainable success without developing some changes in your attitude. This requires that you honestly examine and listen to your inner feelings. It is imperative that you get acquainted with yourself, i.e., “Know thyself.” And, then, endeavor to accept yourself as you are and to fall in love with that wonderful being.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!