Week 11: Measuring the Cost

This week was Fascinating! (as always).  I studied...

1. The Formula for Success talk by Thomas S. Monson (March 1996), 
2. An article by the action school of business titled, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,
3. A few videos about balancing work and life/family  
4. Lesson 6:Financial Fitness, a Launching Leaders video
5. And an article Attitude on Money, (Stephen W. Gibson, Jan 2017) which is what this weeks post will be focusing on.

What is your attitude toward money?

The article talks about Filters in our minds (ideas, beliefs, opinions, teachings we picked up when we were young) that color our perception of money.  In the process of becoming independent thinkers, we get to choose which lenses to accept and continue using, and which to let go of. 

I feel like I'm on a continuous journey in my view of money.  I learn enlightening principles, and feel motivated and healthy about that view when I am highly aware and focused on it, but I tend to revert back to the "ignore the problem and maybe it will go away" or a passive, lack of personal responsibility view, "the Lord will take care of us, so I don't have to think about money" way of thinking as soon as I let go of that focus.  For example, Ryan and I participated in the Church's "Personal Finance for Self Reliance" Class.  While taking the class, money was at the forefront of our thinking, how to attain it, manage it instead of being a slave to it... We set monetary priorities, (Tithing/Fast off., Pay self, pay off debts, Savings...that's what I remember, since it hasn't been my focus since the class ended...).  We made plans, even did a cash envelope system and were being consistent with our daily tracking and spending of money in a tangible way.  BUT...as soon as the class was over and we reverted to a digital format of tracking, within a month, our old habits, past views, and the natural man ways of thinking kicked in and we stopped paying attention, which has taken us on one financial roller coaster after another.  I'm trying not to be too hard on ourselves as we continue to become educated and follow the process of mastery in this area of life.  

How can your view of money affect the way you live?

"Money has the power to make good men better but also makes bad men worse", "Money often reveals the kind of person we are".  We can mange our money with agency, having self reliance as a priority and using it as a tool to better our lives and the lives of those around us, or we can be a slave to money, thinking it as a kind of magic, never really understanding how to attain it or manage it.  our view on money very much affects the way we live.  Living in financial ignorance and debt, fosters anxiety and fear, while living a self reliant life encourages peace, and opportunity.     

What rules are recommended for prospering?

1. Seek the Lord and have hope in him

2. Keep the Commandments and be faithful in paying Tithes and Fast Offerings

3. Think about and plan how to become self reliant

4. Take opportunity to learn-continue seeking education.

5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of money are predicated.

6. Do not send away the naked, hungry, thirsty, captive.  (education releases the ignorant and captive).

The beautiful reminders this week have motivated me to again get on the same financial page with Ryan.  We've talked about having a fresh start after we get home from this Thanksgiving travels and family adventures.  We want to sit down and refresh ourselves on the finance course we took, setting goals and priorities, and schedules to keep track and again become wise stewards of our finances.