I am amazed at the ineptness of our government leaders – especially when it comes to finances.  Yes, we all know that they are trying to protect their political careers and afraid to make the tough decisions, but there comes a point when they have to realize that the spending path they have us on can not be sustained.  This is not a Republican or Democrat issue – it is financial and it does not take a rocket scientist to realize that the income does not match the outgo.

When your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall.  I have no idea who first said that.  Did they have our government in mind?

As a country, I believe, we elected people who were going to be more financially responsible.  Maybe I was wrong and the more I watch what is going on, I am believing that in fact  I was wrong or that we were all lied to.

My clients are people who have to make tough decisions on the financial, career, and life choices they have to make.  I am not sure that anyone in Washington is able to make those tough decisions.

I guess they will not be a client….

The greatest most valuable asset we have is – time.  Time is the one thing that you have so little of, cannot replenish, and cannot buy more of.  Once it is gone, it is gone.  It is valuable, but do you manage your time?

A millionaire once shared this with me. “…if it is important to me, it is on my calendar”.  Almost weekly, I am surprised to learn that people are not managing their time.  So many do not even maintain a calendar.  As a result, they are all over the board when it comes to managing their schedule, their relationships, their finances, etc……

Inevitably, every month I have a couple more expamples of how people are not managing their time.  You may even relate to this.  Clients call and need to reschedule their scheduled appointment that, in many cases, has been scheduled for weeks.  They “forgot” they already had something at that time, something else has popped up that is more important, and so many other reasons.  What they fail to realize is – it is their time and they are not managing it well.

Whether it is a piece of paper, a computer program or an app on your new smart phone – build and live by your calendar.  In today’s world, and thanks to companies like Google, you can have several calendars that will work together.  You can have one, your spouse can have one, your children’s schedule can be on another, etc – and they can all work together.  All of those calendars may be a nightmare to maintain, but it beats not managing your time.

One of these days you will ask yourself, “where did all my time go”.  If you don’t use a calendar, don’t look there for an answer.

Many of you are wondering through life missing what you have been called or wired to do. Whatever the reason, you have not pursued your passion and it has affected you. In your career, your marriage, and your relationships – your life is seemingly less because you are not following your dreams or desires.

Here is what you can expect when you follow your dreams:

• Less Stress – Believe it or not, when you are doing what you love to do things just go better.  That is not to say that everyday is going to be perfect, but doing what you love to do often brings your the peace and creativity to tackle obstacles that might typically cause you stress.
• Marital Harmony – Your relationship with your spouse is better when you are doing what you love.  The exception would be, I suppose, laying around and not doing anything, but providing for your spouse and your family while you work your dream is something that can draw you closer together.
• Purpose In Life – Many feel that they have no real purpose in life.  Why?  Because you have missed your calling.  God has made each one of us special and in our own way.  He has equipped you to do what he wants you to do.  Missing that calling leads you to miss your purpose in life and tends to make you miserable.

What is keeping you from doing what you love?  Life can be so much more “funner”.  Knock the walls down and get going.

To many people the concept of an emergency fund is foreign. Many do not realize that you can acknowledge that bad financial times are headed your way and then set aside funds to help you get through those tough times.

Others, while they claim to have an emergency fund, really do not because it is a catchall. It is an account where they through money of they were to ever have any left and then spend it whenever they think they have a need. Unfortunately, when the emergency hit they already used the money for a car, clothes, movie tickets, restaurants – your name it , but it is gone.

Your emergency fund needs to be set aside for only emergencies. That money, each and every dollar, has a name on it and should be used for nothing but emergencies.

There is nothing wrong with saving for different things and having them all in the same account. However, clear documentation should be kept so that you know exactly how much money is for each savings project and, especially, for your emergency fund.

Just like being prepared for any emergency, be prepared financially. When you are the storm you face will not be as difficult.

A couple of weeks ago, one of my clients gave two NCAA basketball tickets to me and my son.  It was the first ime that I had been to a college game in well over a decade and it was the very first time for my son.  We were very thankful to the client who gave us the tickets and to the two clients that graciously rescheduled their appointments so that we could attend,

While arranging to pick up the tickets, my client shared with me the speech that he had just attended the night before.  He indicated that it was one of the best speeches that he had ever heard.  It was given by a NCAA football coach and his message was simple – Your Choice of Pain – Discipline or Regret.

Wow!  The title got me.  Just thinking of where we all have been and the choices we have had to make.  In many cases our choice of discipline has been difficult.  You and I both have had to endure hard things because we chose discipline.  Whatever it was in your life you were better because you chose the tough route.

What about those, and it may have been you and I in other areas, that chose the lesser approach.  Choosing to skip the discipline they picked the easier road.  In many, many cases, that easier road became a period of regret.  Regret of what could have been if we would have just pushed a little harder.

No, it is never easy, but in every area of life we have choices to make.  When confronted by those choices, what are you going to take – the one of discipline or the one that leads to regret?  In areas of career change, life decisions, and finances I meet many who say that they just can not do it – they can not take the discipline that will help them grow stronger, wiser, and better equipped for life.

Its your choice of pain.

For many Americans, the season is upon you of receiving the joyful tax refund,  Regardless of the fact that you lent the US Treasury your money and they are not paying you one penny of interest, you are so excited about that check that is soon to be on its way.  Now – what will you do with it?

In so many cases, your monthly financial needs have been neglected because you were enabling your employer to withhold more than needed.  Now that you have the money on the way, you are going to reward yourself by buying something that you most likely do not need.   Not you?

What about those who borrowed on a credit card to make ends meet while their earnings were being withhled so that they could receive a check of “forced savings”.  How did that work for you?

Finally, there are some who over withhold because they are so afraid of what “might happen” if they do not withhold enough.

Regardless of your circumstance, many will recieve their refunds over the next few months.  Will you be one of them?  What are your plans?

Can I suggest you use that refund to get started on your own financial plan.  By taking one step at a time, you can build and execute a plan that will help you relieve much of the money stress you are experiencing today.

When you look at that refund amount, ask yourself how that refund could help you with the step you are working currently.  It could be getting your emergency fund started or filled.  Maybe it is a big chunk towards your debt.  Wow, what if you really progressed and you can add to your Roth IRA ( Your 2010 IRA )

Whatever it is – act on it.