The 'Rest' of Your Life: Choosing a Great Mattress

The ‘Rest’ of Your Life: Choosing a Great Mattress

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

When you’re dissatisfied with the quality of your sleep or awake with aches and pains, you begin to wonder about your mattress. Did you choose the right one in the first place? Is yours worn out and in need of replacement? Mattresses are a significant investment – it’s important to choose one that will provide you with many years of comfort and satisfaction.

A good mattress supports your entire body in proper alignment in a natural position. You’ll experience no points of pressure and feel as if you’re floating, totally supported, when lying on a good mattress.

Lumps or depressions are visual cues that your mattress has seen better days but the way your body feels is the surest test. So, if you’re not feeling like you’re floating on a cloud while sleeping or you wake up achy and with lower back pain, it may be time to begin the search for a better mattress. Here’s some information to help you choose your next mattress wisely:

The Issue of Firmness

The big decision in mattresses is firm versus soft. Mostly, it’s a matter of preference with these caveats: A mattress that is too firm will push back on your natural pressure points rather than support them. One that’s too soft won’t support them at all, putting the strain on the rest of your frame. Either way, you’re going to wake up hurting.

Mattress Types

Each type of mattress offers distinct features; knowing what they are will help you choose the right mattress to suit your individual needs and preferences. When shopping for mattresses, lie down on several to discover the differences among them and your preferences. Spend 10-15 minutes lying on a mattress in the position in which you sleep to determine if it’s really “the one.”

Innerspring – Coil spring mattresses are the traditional ones, offering a plethora of choices in firmness and price points. The coils support the weight of your body from inside the mattress. The more coils, the more comfortable the mattress – up to a point. Above a coil count of 390, differences in comfort are difficult to perceive.
Memory Foam – This “astronaut material” is gaining popularity as mattress material. Mattresses made of memory foam provide a comfortable sleeping surface by responding to the weight and temperature of your body, contouring to your specific shape. Because it molds to your shape, it relieves pressure points and can relieve pain. It also absorbs movement so a restless sleeper won’t disturb a partner. Due to their temperature sensitivity, however, they can create an uncomfortably warm sleeping environment.
Latex – These mattresses are made from natural or synthetic rubber, providing very firm and bouncy support. Their comfort could be compared to that provided by memory foam but with a greater degree of support.
Air Mattresses – These mattresses can be inflated or deflated according to the user’s preference. They look like an innerspring mattress but instead of springs, they contain air-filled chambers covered by foam. An important advantage of these mattresses is that each side can be adjusted individually, so they will satisfy couples who may have differing needs or preferences for firmness. Better air mattresses have multiple chambers for stabilization.

Mattress toppers are a separate pieces that can be combined with a mattress for added comfort or support. They can be pillow top, memory foam or latex and provide the same benefits as the mattresses made of these materials on any mattress.

This information will help you find the mattress that’s the perfect fit, providing you with the comfort you need to get your best sleep.

What’s the most important element for your mattress?

How to Limit Debt this Holiday Season

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

With the holiday spending season underway, it’s tempting to pull out the credit card and ring up the bills. While a credit card can be a great tool for holiday shopping, allowing you to earn rewards and cash back for your planned purchases, racking up debt now can be costly later.

If you are going to use a credit card, you need to make sure that you are prepared to pay it off at the end of the season so that you aren’t paying interest. If you want to limit debt this holiday season, here are a few things to consider:

Re-Assess What You Need to Buy

One of the best things you can do is re-examine whether or not you actually need to do the spending. Does everyone you know really need a gift? Do your kids really need $300 worth of stuff from you? Do you really need yet another expensive ornament for the tree? Does your light display really have to be that spectacular?

Consider your true needs, and re-assess them. One of the reasons that so many of us end up in debt at the end of the holiday season is due to the fact that we think that we “need” to get all of these things, and engage in all of these activities. Really think about what you need for the holiday season, and cut back on the things you don’t require.

Make a Budget

It always seems as though most things in personal finance come back to making a budget. There’s a reason. A budget is a good way to lay it out there. You see what you have, and you see what obligations you have. Everything left over is yours to use at your discretion. Creating a budget forces you to be honest with your finances, and it forces you to make a plan for your resources. You are much less likely to go into debt when every dollar has a job.

Of course, in order for this to work, you have to be disciplined enough to stick to your budget. Make that effort, and you can avoid debt this holiday season.

Find Alternatives

Next, you can find alternatives to your gift giving arrangement. Instead of buying something for everyone, consider doing a drawing: everyone only buys a gift for one person. You can also consider homemade gifts. There are a number of ways to spend less on gifts while still giving something that has a personal touch to it. Look for thoughtful ways to give without breaking the bank. Once you realize that there are alternatives to the “traditional” materialistic holiday season, you can save money and stay out of debt. Your true friends will understand your desire to stay out of debt.

Bottom Line

There’s no reason to go into debt this holiday season. Plan ahead, and look for savvy ways to save money. And if you are really serious about avoiding debt next year, start setting aside money as soon as you can. Save up what you can ahead of time, and your budget will be much less strained later.

Frugality, Generosity, and the Holidays

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Living a frugal lifestyle has many benefits – lack of debt, financial stability, less clutter and ‘stuff’, and a mindset that will get you ahead when saving for large purchases and planning for retirement. Frugality, however, shouldn’t be equated with stinginess. Being responsible and deliberate with your finances should not be an excuse for becoming miserly or tight-fisted. The excesses you avoid by being frugal such as over-spending and hoarding should allow you a little more freedom to be generous, especially during the holidays — the time of year the needs of other become more apparent. Here are some suggestions on how to balance your (perhaps new-found) frugality with a generous spirit.

Spare some change. As mentioned, frugality isn’t about pinching and accounting for every single penny. If you have a good handle on your finances and a frugal mindset through the holidays, you should have a little to spare. Instead of passing by the infamous bell-ringers in front of retail stores this year, dig in your pocket and see what you can spare. Will you really miss it? Think of it as an opportunity to further your education on living with less instead of more.

Say yes, and donate. This time of year there are numerous charities and fundraisers for good causes, often in the check-out line. Instead of saying no, say yes for a change. You may be in a hurry, but a few extra moments can help make a difference in someone else’s life.

Give personally. Putting money in a jar while at the checkout is a good thing, but it isn’t personal. During Christmas time, the Human Development Commission and other agencies take wish and needs lists from under-privileged families and offer them to businesses and non-profits to personally fulfill. This can be a great way to feel personally (yet anonymously) involved with the specific needs of others. You can even get your church, family, or office involved in sponsoring a few families together.

Take it one step further and give a food basket to a family you know is struggling this year. Utilize your couponing and saavy-shopping skills by taking advantage of sales so you can be frugal at the same time you’re being generous.

Give the gift of yourself. Being generous doesn’t always have to be about donating money. Giving of your time is one of the most frugal ways to be generous, because all it costs is a little time, effort, and a smile. Look for practical ways you can volunteer in your neighborhood. Here are some suggestions:

Sorting and packing at a food bank
Soup kitchen cooking, waiting tables, or clean up
Free gift wrapping
Caring for animals at a shelter
Caroling and other entertainment at a senior center

Living a frugal lifestyle is an important part of living a generous one, as well. Without having your own spending under control, Christmas is the time of year you’ll be least likely to want or be able to give a little extra. As you can see, they go hand in hand. So this Christmas don’t be a Scrooge in the name of frugality, because you won’t do it any service. Instead, give generously and you will be greatly rewarded in so many ways.

Keep Comfort High and Electric Bills Low with Space Heaters

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

It’s nearly winter and in much of the country, that means it’s time to heat our homes. In a perfect world, your heating system would be effective and efficient, heating each room comfortably and uniformly, creating a temperature that’s pleasing to everyone in the home. In reality, however, that simply isn’t the case. Some heating systems leave something to be desired. Some rooms are drafty or difficult to heat. Some rooms may need a temporary warm-up. Some people prefer warmer room temperatures than others. Heating can be one of our major household expenses during winter months. Rather than turning up the thermostat throughout the house, a good solution to create affordable, localized warmth is the use of a space heater.

Space heaters are portable units which raise the temperature of a small area. They come in both electric and gas models. Because the burning of gas requires adequate ventilation, gas heating units for indoor use need to be permanently installed with venting. Their best portable use is to heat well-ventilated areas like garages.

For the purposes of this article, let’s discuss electric space heaters for warming up the cold corners of your home. Which ones will fit your needs and your room quickly, efficiently and economically?

If you’re looking to purchase a space heater this season, you’ll soon learn by walking the aisles of your local home improvement store that the choices can be overwhelming. Electric space heaters come in several types, each with distinct features. Here’s some intel to help you navigate your choices:

Radiant – These heaters create warmth by using a heating element that emits and directs infrared rays.

creates immediate heat
small area / localized heating
inexpensive to operate

Convection – These create warmth by using a heating element to heat permanently sealed heat-transfer liquid such as oil. The heat emanates from the liquid, warming the room.

creates long-term, whole-room heating
ideal for frequently-used areas of the home
may take some time to create heat
not easy to tip over
heavy but are often on wheels and have a handle
can be hot to the touch
some may have fans that can be noisy

Fan-forced ceramic – These are a subcategory of convection heaters which feature a ceramic disc heating element with a fan which distributes warm air.

creates directional heat flow
stays cool to the touch

Panel – These heaters represent some of the newest in heating technology. Also known as micathermic heaters, they operate by combining the processes of radiant and convection heating.

reach full power within minutes
release 80% convection and 20% radiant heat throughout the room
heat even a large area twice as fast as a convection heater

In addition to choosing the best type of space heater to supplement your central heat, you’ll want to be certain that the one you choose is powerful enough to do the job. Use the formula, 10 watts per square foot, to calculate how many watts the heater needs for your room to be adequately heated.

And, last – but most importantly – safety. Energy.gov recommends that:

Electric heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. If an extension cord is necessary, use a heavy-duty cord of 14-gauge wire or larger.
Buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if the unit is tipped over.

Space heaters are an efficient way to bump up the temperature when and where you need to without paying to heat up the entire house. They’re a smart investment for your comfort and your pocketbook.

What type of space heater do you use to warm your chilly areas?

7 Tips on How to Give Meaningful Gifts

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Holiday gift-giving is a tradition that dates back for centuries. Giving and receiving gifts is a very integral part of many cultures which often carries deep meaning and symbolism, denotes rites of passage and faith, and ultimately displays the bond of love, whether of kinship or friendship.

In more wealthy cultures such as ours, gift giving has sadly become another victim of materialism. Gift-giving is now more about a show of status and keeping up with the Joneses than of sentimentality, family traditions, or faith. Retailers have exploited this tendency to the extreme, evidenced by the phenomenon known as Black Friday.

Although purchasing an abundance of expensive gifts for our loved ones does not stem from wrong motives, it can lead to a shallow and de-valued gift-giving experience, and a tradition of meaninglessness passed on to your children. Here are some ways to take the materialism out of your holiday gift-giving and display your love with truly meaningful gifts this holiday season.

Choose gifts that carry personal significance. Instead of buying someone a gift that will just add more ‘stuff’ to their life, aim to gift an item that will be especially treasured and hold personal meaning to the individual. Here are some examples:

An heirloom
A memory book of your family tree
Pictures or keepsakes from special moments shared
Personalized photo frames, clothing or jewelry

These kinds of gifts take a little more thought and time than others, but are well worth it.

Choose gifts that are extremely useful but unique. Gifting someone a vacuum cleaner isn’t always the greatest way to warm a person’s heart, but the idea is to gift items that will continue to be useful for even years after the holiday. Pay attention to each person’s hobbies and unique tastes in order to find something useful to their lifestyle but that they will also enjoy.

Choose gifts that will evoke emotion. Giving someone a light-hearted, fun gift is still meaningful if it brings them joy. Whether it cost you a dime or a dollar, the true value of the gift is in the emotional response it evokes and the relationship it signifies.

Don’t shop from a wish list. Asking someone what they want for Christmas can give you clues about the kinds of things they like, but getting someone exactly what they tell you can be boring and miss the point. Pick something out for them yourself that falls in the guidelines of what they would enjoy, while keeping the element of surprise.

Don’t give ‘lazy’ gifts. Gift cards, gas cards – honestly, does anyone really enjoy getting these? These kinds of gifts usually send the message that you didn’t want to take the time to find something unique for that individual. Granted, some people that have ‘everything’ are hard to buy for, but that just makes the task of finding something special more challenging. You may also find that in the process of finding a unique and meaningful gift for someone you don’t know that well, you get to know (and like them) more.

Remember that gifts don’t have to be animate. As mentioned above, there are some people in our lives that have everything they could need or want. Consider gifting them with your help with a project, a reservation to an event, or a charitable donation of their choice.

Choose quality over quantity. Parents often make the mistake of buying unlimited gifts for their children, especially if they aren’t on a budget. With each additional gift, every other gift loses a little more significance. Choose to be frugal and instill in your children an appreciation for what they are given. You may want to stick to a particular number each year, or select a ‘theme’ for gifts, such as a need, a want, or a keepsake.

Gift-giving is an art that has to be learned. By avoiding the trap of materialism and competitiveness and focusing on gifting personally and meaningfully, you will enjoy a much more financially sound, peaceful, and fulfilling holiday season.

Take Advantage of Holiday Sale Prices to Save on Everyday Items

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Many items that merchants promote and put on sale as “holiday items” are the same things we buy everyday. From food to clothing to home decor and gift-wrapping supplies – they’re not exclusively for the holidays. Since we use these items on a regular basis – and not just at the holidays – we’re presented with a great savings opportunity.

Take advantage of holiday sales to stock up on those items you’d buy anyway when prices are low. Even if you don’t need it now, you ‘ll appreciate pulling a bargain-priced ham or turkey from your freezer in a few months when you have unexpected company to feed; or having the perfect cocktail dress already hanging in your closet when you receive that wedding invitation.

Food

Large gatherings, visiting friends and family, get-togethers and holiday baking call for specific types of food. Some foods that go on sale at the holidays are:

Large cuts of meats – turkeys, hams, leg of lamb and large roasts
Popular large meal accompaniments and ingredients- white potatoes, sweet potatoes, fresh and canned vegetables, stuffing mixes, baking mixes, canned soup and gravy
Spices, herbs, seasonings and extracts
Baking supplies – flour, sugar, yeast, cookie decorations, food coloring, dried fruits, pie fillings, nuts, eggs, shortening and butter
Wine and spirits
Entertaining foods – cheese, spreads, crackers, coffee, coffee creamers

Household Items

With all that food being prepared, stored and given away, household items can also be found on sale. This is an opportune time to purchase bargain-priced storage bags and containers, aluminum foil and disposable baking and roasting pans which you may use all year round.

Clothing

Many clothes go on sale at the holidays. Your family wears jeans, for example, all year ‘round so why not buy several extra pair when they’re low-priced? Perhaps you have a special occasion coming up during the year. Formal wear is also on sale so shop for something elegant to wear to an upcoming a wedding, party, graduation, reunion or other special event.

Home Decor

Candles are but one example of a home decor item that you’ll find on sale at the holidays. If you’re not particular about colors or scents, you can stock up affordably on a variety of styles and sizes.

Serving ware can also be found inexpensively at the holidays. You’re sure to find pieces that will suit not only a holiday party but look lovely used at a Mother’s Day brunch or a Thanksgiving feast.

Gift Wrap

Shop for versatile solid color gift wrap and bags while they’re cheap. Even traditional holiday colors of red and green can be used to wrap gifts throughout the year; so long as they don’t have an obvious holiday design, they can be used for a variety of occasions. Silver and gold can add a touch of elegance to a birthday or anniversary gift. Before buying more gift wrapping supplies this year, check what you had leftover from last year to avoid having an overabundance of wrap you’ll only use once per year.

Toys

Yes, especially toys! Birthdays for youngsters come around throughout the year. If you find a great toy at a great price for a five-year-old, buy an extra to give her friend when she turns five in a few months. Not only will it save you a few dollars but also a special trip to buy a gift when the occasion rolls around.

The holidays present a great opportunity to save on things we buy everyday. Stock up on things you use while they’re holiday-priced.

What items do you use everyday that are sale-priced at the holidays?

Save Money Simply By Feeling Content

by Miranda Marquit · 1 comment

You might be surprised at how much money you can save when you feel good about your situation, and what you are doing. Feeling content is actually a great way to save money, since it reduces your desire for shopping therapy.

Happy = Less Shopping Therapy

Working on your own happiness and contentment can actually help you save money, since you will be less inclined toward shopping therapy. Often, when we feel down, we go shopping. Buying things, whether it is part of the lifestyle inflation that helps as feel as though we are keeping up with others, or whether it’s about taking our minds of difficulties, can produce temporary feelings of satisfaction.

Unfortunately, when the temporary excitement of buying something new fades away, you are left feeling down — and with something that isn’t as exciting as you thought it was. This can lead to a repeat in the cycle.

Instead, look for ways to increase your happiness with your life, and by feeling content with what you have. When you are more satisfied with what you have, and when you look internally for feelings of self-satisfaction and contentment, you are less likely to look outward to material things. This saves you money since you won’t be trying to buy happiness.

Look for ways to be happier in your life. Eating right, exercise, spending time with your family, volunteering, and making time for you are all things that can help you feel better about yourself. When you are happier and healthier, there is less of a desire to go out and spend money. Develop more positive lifestyle habits, and you will be happier in your life, and save money.

Recognize What You Have

Another way you can save money by being content is through recognizing what you already have. What do you have in your life that you are grateful for? As you focus on what you already have, and are content with it, your desire to go out and spend money on more things is reduced. You can improve yourself and your finances by recognizing what you have.

Consider keeping a gratitude journal to remind you of what you are thankful for. Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it. Do you already have something similar in your home? Do you really need duplicates? Will you really use this item? Or do you have a more general use item that will do for a specific use item.

When you recognize what you already have, and take the time to be grateful for it, you suddenly realize that you don’t need more. Think about what’s important to you: Your health, your family, your friends. When you have these things, and recognize how much they mean to you, it’s easier to say no to frivolous and unnecessary spending on things that aren’t actually important to you.

As you learn to develop feelings of contentment with your situation and what you have, and as you develop your own set of priorities that don’t depend on buying what’s important to other people, you will find it easier to spend less money, and you will save more in the long run.

5 Black Friday Shopping Tips

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

A lot can be debated about the true savings potential of shopping on Black Friday versus the potential to overspend, but I’m not going to bother. If you’re shopping on Black Friday, the chances are that negative opinions of participating in the largest shopping day of the year aren’t going to change your plans. There are, of course, ways to save more money online during the epic shopping weekend, including Cyber Monday, but the Black Friday shoppers are – let’s face it – addicted to the hype of scoring that amazing deal in spite of the crowds and long lines. If you are someone who just plain enjoys the experience of Black Friday, here are some ways to make the day smoother, more efficient, and money-saving so you can spend a little more on those must-buy items and come away unscathed.

Fill up your gas tank well ahead of time. Just as gas prices go up before the weekend and holidays, you’d better believe they’ll be a little higher before Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Filling up now will probably save you a few cents per gallon while giving you more time at home with your family on Thanksgiving or in the stores Friday morning. Using a store-brand card such as the Kroger card or Wal-Mart gift card can also save you $.10 or more per gallon at the right gas stations.

Pack a purse or bag full of snacks and drinks. Stopping for food or getting ornery because you skipped breakfast isn’t ideal when you’re trying to move efficiently from store to store. Be sure to start your day off right with a nutritious breakfast and/or pack snacks and water to keep you fueled all day long to save both time and money.

Wear comfortable clothes. This may seem silly, but you need to treat Black Friday like a sporting event – get plenty of rest, refuel regularly, and wear appropriate attire. Your enjoyment of the event can be significantly hindered by achy feet or too tight clothing. At the same time, please have a sense of decency and consideration for others and don’t wear your pajamas.

Don’t get sidetracked. Good retailers know how to catch a shopper’s eye. You may have only gone into a store for one item, but end up with much more on impulse. Stick to the items you’ve researched and price-compared ahead of time. If you see something you really want that’s not on the list, determine to come back after another stop to make sure you’re thinking clearly and not caught up in the moment.

Don’t neglect common courtesy. Stay calm, be polite and don’t get pushy. We’ve all heard stories about customers fighting like children over electronics and toys. Determine to be ‘above’ rude and obnoxious behavior, even if you are the victim. If someone cuts in line or snatches your item, let it go. After all, it’s just ‘stuff.’ Be the adult so you won’t have to be embarrassed about your behavior later on when the frenzy is over. Also, be cautious when driving, parking, and walking into buildings since there is more potential for distracted driving.

Black Friday is a phenomenon that will only continue to gain momentum as retailers find new ways to lure shoppers in for one of their most profitable days of the year. Be smart, plan ahead, and use these tips so you’ll be able to participate without succumbing to the craziness, overspending, and materialism associated with it. Happy shopping!

Responsible Spending Makes the Holidays Bright – and Affordable

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Here come the holidays! Is your pocketbook ready?

Between gifts for everyone on your list (and inevitably several folks who aren’t), entertaining expenses, party-going expenses, festive food and drinks – December can easily get financially out of hand! How can you avoid being holiday-poor by January?

Ideally, you’ve been squirreling away some extra money throughout the year in anticipation of holiday expenses. Perhaps you’ve established a Christmas Club account at your bank or credit union. Regardless of where you’ve saved, the best case scenario is that you have an amount of money set aside that you don’t need for anything else to call your holiday budget.

Even if you’ve established a holiday budget, however, it’s admittedly difficult to exercise restraint at such an emotional and memory-laden time of the year. At this festive season, we don’t want to feel deprived or, worse yet, deprive our loved ones of a memorable and richly-celebrated holiday.

Many times, however, we do get “wrapped up” in the spirit of the season and spend unnecessarily or go overboard. It is possible to have a wonderful holiday while keeping a lid on spending if you take the time and effort to carefully consider where your dollars are going.

Avoid unnecessary holiday spending with these tips:

Pay with cash rather than credit whenever possible – This is an obvious way to control your holiday spending. If you don’t have the cash, don’t buy it. If you can’t withstand temptation, leave your credit cards at home. (Here are a few more thoughtful holiday gifts for the kitchen.)
Look into layaway – Layaway is making a comeback! Pay for your purchase in installments with no financing charge.
Make a list and check it twice – Spend the bulk of your shopping time in the planning stages. Make a list of what you need to buy (gifts, food, decorations…) before you head out. Allocate your budget among the items you need so you have an idea of how much you can spend on each.
Shop with purpose – Don’t just “go shopping.” Go with a purpose to buy gifts for Uncle Dave and Aunt Lucy or to shop for your holiday brunch buffet. Aimless shopping, especially at the holidays, will lead to mindless buying.
Consider homemade/handmade gifts – In many cases, it really is the thought that counts. Try to keep gifts simple and from the heart. A gift of your time and effort (homemade cookies or a hand-crocheted scarf) expresses that the recipient means more than a few minutes and a few dollars at the mall to you.
Shop according to holiday sales – There are bargains to be found – just don’t get carried away.
Spend where it really counts – Wrapping paper gets wadded up and discarded so don’t waste your budget on expensive gift wrappings. Wrap with flair and creativity which aren’t expensive!
Make memories – Truth be told, memorable holidays are more about what you did than what you got.
Reuse and repurpose – See if you can go just one year without purchasing even one new holiday decoration.
Festive apparel – Consider new accessories rather than entire new outfits which can complement several articles of clothing throughout the year.
Limit celebrations – Have one larger party rather than multiple smaller ones – it’s more economical. And remember – alcohol is expensive! It’s not your job as host to have a fully stocked bar. Provide a selection of the basics and maybe make a festive punch; then invite guests to BYOB if they have particular tastes.

Don’t regret your holidays when the celebrations are through. Wishing you a wonderful – and affordable – holiday!

Reasons Money Is and Isn’t Everything

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

While most of us understand and would say we live by the truth that “money isn’t everything,” the way we live often gives a very different message; for instance, the economy: we complain about it, blame our financial situation on it, and place our faith in a particularly political candidate based on his or her views on remedying it. Money is tied to our freedom to do what we want and acquire the possessions and services we want, and therefore it is often sadly mistaken for the #1 factor contributing to personal happiness. Here are a few reasons why money is so important and yet not paramount, and what it looks like to have a healthy appreciation for its role in our lives.

Money is a valuable tool that can be used wisely in the right hands. Money is important in that it can be very powerful depending on who is using it and how effectively. Those who have learned the skills of good money management will benefit from its rewards – financial freedom, the betterment of society, the accomplishment of personal goals, and a legacy for their children in both material wealth and the knowledge of how to use it.

Money can become a dangerous weapon, fuel for addiction and excess, an obsession, and a road block to reaching a person’s greatest potential. Just as money can be used to accomplish great things if a person practices responsibility and uses wealth as a tool to better themselves and others, it can be wasted, used to fuel addictions, and be the ultimate downfall if used without discretion. Money in itself is not bad, but it becomes what we make it.

Even if used wisely, money should not be the focus of our lives. If money becomes more important than family, helping others, our faith, and other important (inanimate) values, we’re no better off than people who squander it or use it for selfish or evil purposes. Money is not the end goal; it is the means to our goals of success and happiness.

Just because money can be dangerous doesn’t mean we should be afraid of acquiring it and using it the way it’s intended. Because material wealth carries with it so much responsibility, danger of misuses and other pitfalls, it’s tempting to consider the option of living in a cave and having nothing to do with it at all. Of course, this is a comical example, but there are people who are afraid of wealth for these reasons. Avoiding the pitfalls of handling money can be tricky and is not a perfect science; nevertheless, it is something we should practice. By the process if listening to the sound advice of others who have healthy views of money and have demonstrated the successful use of it as a tool, and the personal trial and error of it played out in our own lives, we can learn to have a healthy respect for money’s role in our lives.

Money is not the key to a happy life. Many people blame the economy, their career status, and their bank account on their unhappiness. A quick look at third world countries and the status quo of the average person outside the Western Hemisphere is a great reality check on the meaning of wealth and its importance to happiness. Many people who live on less in a month than we do in a day experience much more fulfilling and contented lives. If money is the reason you’re unhappy, take a good look at what you already have and reconsider your perspective.

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