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by Jim Garnett, a/k/a Ask Mr. G. and a member of the
ICFE's Board of Educational Advisors
There is a very real sense in which Thanksgiving can have a
direct bearing on our financial health. What is the link between
the two? Being thankful for what we have is an attitude that
results in living within our means.
Think about it. Isn't it true that a spirit of discontentment
will prompt us to always keep spending? That certainly describes
many American families whose attitude seems to be "Never
Enough!" That attitude leads to an action - get more! Getting
more requires spending more. Could that be the reason the
average American family spends 14% more than it earns?
Maybe this Thanksgiving Season is a good time to turn our
Thanksgiving into "Thanks-Living?" Here are a couple of
suggestions of how to do that.
First, imagine that tragedy strikes today and you lose
everything you have. All your possessions are burned up in a
fire and destroyed. You have no clothes, no house, no TV, no
food, no money, and no keepsakes! Everything you have is taken
away!
Now imagine that the next day, all of that which was taken
away is now given back to you! Can you sense the amazing thrill
of appreciation and thanksgiving you would experience? How happy
you would be to have it all back! The point is obvious. We ought
to be that happy and appreciative to have it all to begin with!
If we were, we would not constantly be on a quest to have more.
Contentment would substitute for complaining. (This principle
applies to all our health woes too.)
Secondly, take a trip to visit someone who has less than you
do. It might be across the world, across town, or across the
street. Whenever we can see those who have less than we do, it
makes us appreciate what we have.
My son just visited Zambia, Africa on a church trip to
provide housing for the people there. He told me that these
people have dirt floors, no electricity, and no plumbing and
have no idea each morning what they will eat for their first
meal. Yet, he said, they are the happiest people he has ever
met! If they can be contented living with so little, can't we be
content living with so much more?
The bottom line is that being thankful can affect your
"bottom line." Being thankful for what we have brings
contentment, and contentment results in living within our means.
Living within our means creates financial health. Since most
attitudes are a matter of choice, why not choose to turn your
Thanksgiving into a year-'round spirit of Thanks-Living. It will
good for your pocketbook!
For more information about hosting the AskMrG Library on your
website contact Jim Garnett at 515-577-1799 or email him at
askmrg@yahoo.com.
Please mention you heard about Ask Mr. G through the ICFE.
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About the ICFE:
The Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE) was founded in 1982 by the late Loren Dunton (creator of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation). The ICFE is dedicated to helping consumers of all ages to improve their spending, increase savings and use credit more wisely.
The ICFE is an award winning, nonprofit, consumer education organization that has helped millions of people through its education programs and resources. It publishes the Do-It-Yourself Credit File correction Guide, which is updated annually. The ICFE has distributed over one million Credit/Debit Card Warning Labels and Credit/Debit Card Sleeves world wide.
The ICFE became an official partner with the Department of Defense/Financial Readiness Campaign in June of 2004.The ICFE was an active partner in the California Student Debt Resource Awareness Project (CASDRAP) which resulted in a new web site: (studentdebthelp.org). CASDRAP disbanded in 2010, shortly after the web site project was completed. In 2011 the ICFE assumed the single sponsorship of the (studentdebthelp.org) web site and is now responsible for its content and operation.
The ICFE is also an on-line help for consumers who spend too much. ICFE's spending help was featured in PARADE Magazine in the Intelligence Report section. The money helps and tips are from the ICFE's Money Instruction Book, our course in personal finance.
Visit the ICFE's other web sites at: www.icfe.info and studentdebthelp.org. Both sites helps consumers and students with mending spending, learning about the proper use of credit, budget and expense guidelines, how to set up and implement a spending-plan and also how to access financial education courses and how to teach children about money. Other ICFE services include: Ask Mr. G, a free eNews, and an online resource center for students, parents and educators, plus financial education learning tools and a book store.
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