Note To Self: Thinking…

Life has really taken a turn lately. Clark and I have committed ourselves to several new goals. There is a lot we want to accomplish by July which has made us even more busy and determined than before.

We want to lose our extra weight. We’d like to look good for this summer, but we really want to make a difference in our health (and as an added ‘fun bonus’, be a “shocker” at our Holiday parties at Thanksgiving and Christmas).

We want to ultimately one day in the near future be completely debt free, but our major goal by July is to be personally debt free. Life’s been rocky lately… Bills pile up quickly and out of nowhere life can really take you over. There are fee’s that come out of the woodwork that you didn’t plan on, health issues that you didn’t know you had, gas prices rising - which rises grocery prices which rises everything else that pertains to life. So, with that comes added stress upon everything. The tough part is making sacrifices on things you love to do/or go and really get a hold on money. Sad, but money is linked to everything in life. If money management is out of whack - it affects your entire world. At that point- I personally feel that it needs to be taken a hold of by the reins, slow down and really get things back in order. Repetitive disturbances need to be prevented by learning from mistakes and being aware of what went where/wrong and how can we do ‘this’ better next time. How can we prevent money management from going out of whack and get back on track stronger than before? My personal belief is: “If you don’t learn how to manage $500 NOW how will you EVER be able to manage $5,000 later?” I am not of the belief of putting things off and worrying about them later. I am of the belief of “Get it done NOW so you can be STRONGER later”.

In the 168th Semi-Annual General Conference President Hinckley (Prophet of the LDS Church) said:

“I am suggesting that the time has come to get our houses in order. So many of our people are living on the very edge of their incomes. In fact, some are living on borrowings. … There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed.”

In counseling about debt President Hinckley said: “I recognize that it may be necessary to borrow to get a home, of course. But let us buy a home that we can afford and thus ease the payments which will constantly hang over our heads without mercy or respite for as long as 30 years. … I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can. … That’s all I have to say about it, but I wish to say it with all the emphasis of which I am capable.”

Another good article to read about “getting your house in order” asap is a post I put together the other day titled: “The World As We Know It Today”

Basically the message is, is to get out of debt ASAP. Sure, live life and have fun - but be realistic. Be prepared for any unexpected thing to hit at any time. The future is unpredictable and things need to be taken care of NOW and not later. That is exactly how the Credit Card Companies get young naive teenagers to get into debt. So what kind of examples are we being for our children if we ourselves can’t even handle money? If a war were to hit our country, and the country goes into recession (because we never know) - will you be prepared? Our Country is in debt not because of the Government, because as the United States Constitution says “WE the People…” not “We the Government…”. We brought the Country’s debt to the high that it is because we put off making those payments and paying our debtors back. We decided to worry about it later. That’s not ‘cool’.

With all that’s going on - you’d expect two people running around our house like crazy chickens - but we’re not. One thing I just love about our companionship and friendship as a couple is that we take each obstacle in life in stride. We still know how to have fun under budget so we feel like we have a life, but we also realize that even though we’re working for ourselves - we need to behave like we’re working a 9-5 job and actually work a routine that’s strict within the day. It’s so easy to be lax throughout the day because we’re at home. Clark’s schedule is so unpredictable because he’s both a DP (Cinematographer/Director of Photography), Photographer, & Programmer. I am a Blog Designer, Photographer & Artist. We have many hats that we wear so creating a strict routine can easily be disrupted depending on what we’re called to do on a particular day. So this routine is something that we’re continually refining.

Long talks that we have on life and how we can improve individually and as a couple is something we do regularly. Clark doesn’t particularly like the long talks, he just likes things to be done when asked - no questions asked. I’m different. I like to know the why’s and how can we say this better to each other so both needs are met and we’re feeling respected. But again, I love our communication. It’s not 100% yet but we’re getting there. I have so much appreciation for Clark in always being willing to work on things. He’s so sensitive to my feelings, but also knows how to stick up for himself. He’s willing to admit when he’s wrong and own up to it as am I. I truly feel lucky that Communication is one of our strengths.

I am so grateful to have a husband like Clark. We may not always agree, but one thing that we know how to do well is compromise and make sure both our needs are met. For that I am so grateful to be blessed with him as my husband. Together, we can accomplish miracles!