We’re big advocates for (and providers of) formal financial education. Classes, books, blogs, and podcasts all offer great opportunities to learn about how to make, save, grow and spend your money. We don’t think anyone should ever stop learning. We also know that we learn some of the most important lessons before we even leave our childhood homes. In honor of Father’s Day, here are some of the lessons our staff has learned from their dads: Kris Kersten To put money aside every month in a different account for Christmas, a car or a vacation, so you have it available when you are ready to use it and not go in debt! Tanya Winch Pay your bills on time; under almost all circumstances, do not purchase property with an ARM loan; be curious and aware of Uncle Sam’s tax rules; find work you love and/or learn to like the work you are given and, most importantly, be a conscientious & good steward of all you are blessed with. Sam Winch Spend less than you make. Christian Peterson When I was just out of college my father said to me, “Start now saving 10% of your salary and you will retire a millionaire.” (and a million dollars back then was a lot more money than it is now!) Sandy Shultz My dad always had another job in addition to his full-time job teaching…he saved that money he made from his part-time gigs to pay extra money on the mortgage and would use it for fun things (vacation, boat, etc). He still calls it his “left pocket money!” Beth Gorr Always have a safety net of a few months of bills – you never know when you are going to need it. No one can take away what you put upstairs. And don’t put off what you can do today to tomorrow. Matt Weyers No one can take away what you put… | Read More »
Month: June 2024
Happy #MakingLifeBeautiful day!
I don’t think you have to look far to see people Making Life Beautiful every day. There’s the crossing guard who shows up promptly every sometimes sunny, often windy, occasionally downright grisly day to guide little people across busy streets. They are an oasis of calm in their frenzied world. Reliability makes life beautiful. There’s the boss who regularly buys flowers for his whole staff. The flowers come from a client, who grows them in a garden near her house. Flowers make life beautiful and so does the generosity of people who share them. And how about the smiley people at the corner gas station? Friendliness makes life beautiful. Co-workers who define their job as both their own daily duties and anything else anyone needs at any time – cheerful industry makes life beautiful. So do staff members who tell jokes, offer interesting articles, thoroughly proofread the items you ask them to, bring treats, man the router, handle challenges so smoothly no one ever knows they happened, host the weekly staff meetings, prepare the reports, meet with the clients so enthusiastically their appointments sound like parties. Here’s to the parents, grandparents, coaches, summer school teachers, playground leaders, camp counselors, daycare workers, ice cream scoopers, lifeguards, doctors, dance instructors, babysitters and everyone else making life beautiful for children and their caregivers this summer. We salute the sandcastle builders, rock painters, bird feeders, mural artists, garden planters, lemonade pourers, popsicle freezers, sidewalk chalk drawers, bubble blowers, rainbow spotters, dandelion crown makers, song writers, music makers, produce sharers, compliment givers who make this world, and especially this season, so precious and beautiful. Happy #MakingLifeBeautiful day!