Wisdom of Ben Franklin:
Light purse, heavy heart.
Borrowing makes sorrowing.
Great Spenders are bad Lenders.
Beware of little Expenses: a small leak will sink a great Ship.
Who is rich? He that rejoices in his Portion.
Wisdom compliments of the book
Sayings of POOR RICHARD
From Poor Richard’s Almanack
Benjamin Franklin, 1960
As a gift, I was given a 1960 copy of Poor Richard’s Almanac sayings. (Thanks Trish!) You may recall that Ben Franklin as the publisher of Poor Richards Almanack. He was brilliant and his words still apply today.In his chapter titled, “How to Get Riches” is one of my favorite lines:
“The Art of getting Riches consists very much in Thrift.” (p.19)
This I find so much to be true. From my experience of working with high-end clients over the past few decades, each and every one of them has created their priorities. They do not spend frivolously or randomly. They may have a lovely home. From there they chose a few areas that are important to them. So, whether it be travel, clothes, education, where their money goes, they are content rather than looking to spend more.
Spending just for the sake of spending is not in their repertoire. They are thoughtful when making decisions about their money. I find that these conscious souls know how to share with others while taking care of themselves. Self-care never means going “overboard” as some people insist with their money.
In contrast, some of the folks striving to get ahead do not prioritize in the same way. Here is what I hear from the “average” person:
· I just got a raise; I might as well splurge on dinner.
· As I am going on the trip anyway, I might as well spend the money.
· Another hundred dollars won’t matter.
These sentiments are not in line with “The Art of Riches consists very much in Thrift.”
Consider where you are thrifty and where you are making conscious spending decisions. Then, from that point of clarity, build on good decision making for the rest of your financial life. Ben Franklin would be very proud of you as build riches through Thrift.
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Studying the facts of history can make you change your perspective. For example, have you heard of St Brendan? He is a much lesser known Irish saint who discovered America. According to history, he journeyed across the ocean to a new land in the 6th century.
He had his team of monks for his sail boat and lots of sailing experience. They sailed for months and months, before finding what they were looking for: the Promised Land of Saints. The trip was well documented technically. No miracles were recorded just pure practicality with time and distances travelled. He was gone from his native Ireland for years.
This “Irish Sailor Saint” sounds inconceivable. Despite the stories and documentation, how could anyone cross the ocean in a basket-like wood frame boat that was covered in ox hide.
Find this hard to believe? Well, if you can read Latin, check out his Navigatio. Christopher Columbus was said to have made a stop in Ireland to read this work. His writings are full of details and information about his journey.
Suspend your disbelief for a moment so that we can use some of his story for today’s history lesson. Here are some of Brendan’s pointers we need today:
He took risks - These were physical risks with a bigger motivation. But they were also calculated risks as he had a team and the guidance from those who had gone as far as Iceland on an ocean journey. He was not expecting a miracle. He was prepared.
He had a plan – The plan included a solid sailboat filled with food and an understanding of the ocean.
He had faith – This is the intangible piece that we all need when we take on something different or new.
This must be a myth you are thinking. Well, many people thought so. Then, in 1976, Tim Severin, an adventurer and scholar, reenacted the voyage. He left from Ireland and eventually landed in Boston. ( I went to see the boat and crew on a warm summer day in 1977.) The boat made it. The crew made it across the Atlantic. So perhaps there is something to Saint Brendan discovering America.
Both crews that crossed the Atlantic needed perseverance in the storms that surrounded them. They had some calm seas but the powerful inner strength came through in adversity. In this world of quick service and instant internet information, we are having a moment when we are all in need of perseverance.
When you are thinking about the stock market this Saint Patrick’s Day week, consider the questions of Saint Brendan:
Are you prepared?
Are you being practical?
Do you have a bit of faith?
Watch those who have gone before you. Whether in sainthood, family lore or history, having role models and stories help us today. When there are no clear answers, there is history and story to support and remind us that life will go on. And there has been a long line of people gone before us who have endured. And a few saints as well.
Here is how I spent my time on many Mondays pre-pandemic. The long-time television show "Across the Fence" had me one for Money Monday.
Spend fifteen minutes watching or listening.... Gain Knowledge and Save Money. Search here and find some valuable information to keep you financially sound.
http://www.uvm.edu/extension/atfence/?m=201808
May Light & Love shine in your heart this holiday season.
Best Wishes for a 2022 filled with Good Health & Good Cheer!
Peace & Prosperity,
Christine
This Week’s Ups and Downs but mostly Downs, have many people struck in terror. First of all, as of this writing, the stock market is down 2% for today. Yes, you may say but what about the week? While let’s look at the long-term picture for a better perspective. Since this time last year, the market is up. Not a lot but higher than it was on December 6th in 2017 as far as the Dow Jones and S&P are concerned.
Second, the real question is….How are your investments doing? Technology for example is up. If you have some equity diversity and bonds in your portfolio, the decline of the past few days may be balancing your portfolio to the point where the losses are not so dramatic. Look closer at what you before you panic.
Third, do you have cash? Not just in your pocket but in the bank. Perhaps as part of your asset portfolio where you can access it if you needed. Remembering that cash is one of the three main forms of investment is essential to managing your money. Despite its poor return record of the past ten years, the reason cash is always in style is for its dependability. The currency is always there and insured if parked in an FDIC insured account.
Finally, if you are truly affected in your daily life by the market swings, this is a time for a two pronged improvement to your life. One, take the time to create an investment strategy that matches your age, needs, and personality. Talk to a professional investment person who can educate you and create this for you, before making any changes. Two, do some important work on yourself by finding ways to decompress more in your life. Your health is worth it.
Meantime, know what you can control and cannot. You cannot change the market. You can change your investments. Most of all, you can lower your stress level with some good information.
According to CBS this Sunday morning, “over 60% of Americans are planning to travel on vacation this summer.” We are post peak of the pandemic and many people are jumping at the opportunity to get out, do some things and have fun socially – something we have been unable to do since March 2020 – and for those of us in the winter tundra of the north – since September/October 2019.
The human urge is to jump on board and get going – whether it is a vacation or new car or clothes to look fabulous, we are making moves. The issue will come up if we are not making conscious well-thought-out choices.
After all, so many were nesting during the emergency orders that the housing market went crazy. As did the remodeling market. Yet, according to the experts, almost 30% of people who bought houses regret their decision.
So before you do any more spending beyond the basics, take a moment to set an overall intention such as remaining financial stable. Review your values.
Then, take the following steps:
This is the money in savings for unexpected events. Just because we experienced a once in a hundred years pandemic, does not mean another event will not strike you personally or the world globally.
Over the past year and half, people have gotten great at naming the basics that they need to spend on and a few extras, like Netflix and Door Dash, to get them through the hard times. So planning that vacation or for new clothes or sporting equipment the time has come. Rather than an unlimited budget or credit card long term pay off, decide now what is reasonable to spend.
Either in cash, a separate savings account, or noted with a sticky note on your credit card. That reminder will help you stick to plan and give you permission to spend without going over the plan.
If you do not enjoy what you spend on, then there is no sense to money at all. We are meant to have fun. Buying with a plan helps you have no regrets.
Be Smart, Be Slow and Thoughtful as you emerge.
Conscious Choices, Live Peacefully.
We are emerging from the pandemic lockdown mentality. Though variants and vaccine stragglers abound, there is the socializing side that so many are struggling to get used to again. Then, there is the piece that is gaining some traction but not enough attention.
Emerging financially. Our spending habits changed with covid. First there were none – with eating out dropping majorly and credit card use plummeting. Then, we began to adjust to home and with it the cost of monthly subscriptions to keep us entertained, in shape or stretching personal growth. The next step of the financial pandemic was home improvements over looked or not necessary until we spent so much time at home. Finally, the housing plunge which is still going on. The demand for a home in the suburbs or country were powerful.
The need for more sweats, less makeup and creative recipes changed us and our spending habits. Now, we are changing again. I have events to go to! I need clothes! I get to go somewhere without a mask. There is a global demand for lipstick. Dinner out is an option. A respite from takeout is available. Those recipes may collect dust.
How do we manage this radical change to our spending habits without damaging the savings we have built? A bit of planning always helps. And before that creating your own money philosophy so you do not get washed away in the fun of shopping, traveling and upgrading your home without thought.
How do you do it?
What three things are important to you? Health, Family, Adventure, Spirituality
Do it with your partner if you have one. But only after you have each done it yourself.
Once you know your priorities it is important to remind yourself. Maybe a sticky note on the back of your credit card. Or on your computer so before you hit that one click purchase option you can realize how important it really is to you. Or is it an impulse purchase.
Then, take the practical piece and look at your income. Do you know where it is going? For example, households on average have 22 subscription services. Your priorities are changing as we reemerge. So maybe all of those are not critical to your well-being. More than a few may not match your values.
When we spend our money to match our values, we feel better – more peaceful about our spending. Knowing what is really not as important, makes managing money so much easier.
So with those major values in mind, consider what you have for disposal money after the basics of living – food as in groceries, not eating out, housing monthly costs, not including decorating, and transportation and medical and insurances.
For example recreation may be that class you take or golf course you belong to or the travel to kayak on a lake. Keep those in your spending plan.
Decide if the you would feel better if you had spending set aside for the each of your values.
I have clients who feel guilty about spending money on vacation. Yet, time with their spouse is a priority. Setting up an account that they save in and then use it exclusively on vacation, prevents them from stopping themselves. There is money set aside for something they enjoy and appreciate. They find it easier to follow through.
After all, what you spend money on is as important as what you do not spend money on.
Enjoy your money, You deserve it!
Just plan a bit differently and come up with your philosophy first.
Gardeners are thinking of clearing the soil, fertilizing, planting and preparing the soil this time of year. They know that for growth and new nourishment the land must be cleared and prepared for the upcoming season. This is the time to purge, process, and clean up your financial world to make more space for the new. We must be open to the abundance of the new season and make room for it. This applies to financial paperwork as well.
My Nanie taught me the most about spring cleaning and gardening that is very helpful still today:
Don’t Do Too Much
Enjoy a Treat At the End
Here is what I remember: The ritual of dusting and vacuuming the house leaving no rug unturned as we freshen up the house after the winter. As a young girl, I loved joining my grandmother in the task of spring cleaning her home. She would add rearranging the living room furniture and changing the curtains to the usual cleaning. When we finished, the house smelled fresh, and the floors and furniture sparkled. We would take a moment to examine and appreciate our work when we were done. I found the process satisfying as well as an opportunity to spend time with my grandmother. She always sensed when I was tiring and rewarded the cleaning with cup of tea and a treat.
Spring clean your financial life! Here are two places to start so you do not get overwhelmed:
First, find out how much you are paying for subscriptions on-line: Videos, music and podcasts add up. Once you know how much, you can decide if you use all those services. Which ones to keep? Change? or Unsubscribe? Take some action.
Second, set up a place to keep all your financial information. Whether you put it in a digital file or a paper file, be sure you have investments, banking and insurance information all in one place for easy access.
Then, be sure to give yourself a non-financial treat: A walk with a friend, bake something special or just sleep in tomorrow!
Happy Spring!
Beyond the funeral, memorial service and figuring out the immediate tasks of handling the death of a love one, lies the void of a life without their caring presence. In between these pieces is a wealth of activities and paperwork to manage the final affairs of someone close. Many of these tasks can wait a few days or even a few weeks but knowing what they are will help take the stress away. There will be less of a chance you will have something fall through the cracks if you have a list to refer to and know what you may be looking for in the personal effects of your loved one.
Here’s a list to work from when you need it:
Death Certificates – The funeral home will often handle getting the initial document from the town. Be sure and request several original copies. I suggest ten so that you never have to wait for one when a financial or legal institution requests a death certificate.
Write a list of Assets and Debts, including the estimated values - This list is good for the accountant, courts and lawyer for settling the deceased estate. Also, this is a reminder for you if you have included everything.
Find their Will – If the will is not available, notify their lawyer who devised it in case they have insight into the trust or division of assets.
Notify Social Security – Often the funeral home will do this. Social Security is most important for those who were collecting monthly income because:
Cancel future payments to deceased
Receive the $250 burial amount
Notify Bank – The deceased checking accounts should not be used after death. So the two immediate issues are:
Close out accounts per will
Cancel any autopays
Clarify the Car Ownership - Find the title to the car or other vehicles. No one should be driving them without proper insurance and ownership.
Cancel Health Insurance – Seems obvious but someone has to take the step to do it. The estate may be entitled to a refund.
Find Life Insurance Policies – If the deceased had insurance, someone needs to follow up and make sure the details are handled.
Notify company and update addresses and information
They will need a death certificate (as well as most contacts involving disbursements of money)
Contact Retirement Accounts - They will want a death certificate.
401(k) and IRA’s will distribute according to the beneficiary instructions
Defined Benefit Pension Plans may or may not provide benefits to survivors
Manage Real Estate - All taxes and bills must be paid on the property in a timely manner.
Find deeds if available so they can be changed to survivors per will
Contact Investment Institution – Other investments will be distributed per the will or by state law if there is no will. The company will need to be contacted.
Notify Credit Cards – All credit card transactions need to stop. For final estate numbers, a balance will be needed.
Pay Bills - The estate is responsible for the bills and debts of the deceased (except for student loans). Notify the companies such as utilities, phone and others of the death and clarify that they will be paid by the executor. If there is not enough money to pay all the bills, the final accounting and court decides what happens. It is not the personal responsibility of the executor.
Talk to the Accountant – Current year taxes will have to be filed. In addition, depending on the size of the estate, there may be estate tax forms to file.
Keep A Paper Trail - Anything related to burial expenses, travel expenses for executor, and all paperwork and expenses related to settling the estate are important for a final accounting.
Much of this financial detail work is the same no matter how much or how little someone has. All of it is time consuming. But this needs to be done. Being prepared is the best way to make this transition go smoothly.
Anyone out there remember S&H Green Stamps?
S&H Green stamps were issued at grocery stores, department stores or gas stations. Then you would collect them in a book. And once you had certain number of pages you could turn them in for a “free gift.” (Sounds a lot like the reward credit cards today. Right?) Yes, they were popular in the Sixties and Seventies to the point that the company issued more stamps than the post office!
The catalogue was a glossy tome of all sorts of goodies – mostly household treats and small appliances. My Mom got me interested as I was task oriented and trained by her to be motivated to get something for free. One time she told me I could save the stamps for something I wanted. I remember the joy of collecting those stamps, cautiously sticking them to the pages. I loved the idea of a prize at the end. I cannot remember the prize I got but the process of organizing and planning grabbed my attention as a system with an outcome.
Today, the MoneyPeace philosophy is much like the Green stamp principal. MoneyPeace is built on first saving. Saving money, a bit at a time and with a system for that money to be held in with a personalized goal. With the system in place, the path to the goal is clearly laid out. And like S&H Green Stamps, you can set many goals.
Getting there may not be half the fun for everyone, but most people who have adapted the MoneyPeace approach have been preaching and teaching it themselves to others. They recognize they are indeed more peaceful as they have stabilized their finances, accomplished their goals and feel more financially flexible than they ever have in their life. They have the flexibility to adapt to the ups and downs of life without losing their balance.
Many people were never taught to manage their money. Financial “gurus” teach their way as the best and only way. With a MoneyPeace system, we start with the basics and then, personalize the system so you get what you want. This takes you beyond getting out of debt, saving for retirement or buying a home to a financial life for the long-term. When you know where your money comes from and where it goes, you can appreciate your personal cash flow and more importantly, adapted as needed. Making conscious choices for the future is building a wise financial plan to sustain you and keep you in the green.
So if you liked S&H Green stamps, collecting bonus points or just need a financial boost, learn more about MoneyPeace through our videos, sign up for the newsletter and prepare yourself for a more peaceful life.
Birthing Classes. Pre-Natal Check ups. Sonograms. Baby books and morning sickness are all well known. Expecting mothers attend to the medical needs of the new child and herself by regularly receiving medical check ups. Prospective parents plan for the physical needs of the child by setting up space for the new crib and some clothes and even books and toys. Others join in the fun with baby showers and gifts for both the new mother and the baby. But what about the money side?
Less anticipated and planned for are the financial decisions that a couple needs to make. Several financial planning check-ups are needed as much as the routine medical tests during the months of pregnancy. Why? Because if the financial needs of the parents and the child are not met before the baby arrives, the full of lack of sleep and fast moving priorities may sideline needed financial planning basics.
Add these four things to you list before the birth:
Health Insurance for the Child: Know Where and How You Will Get Insurance.
Will: Be sure your Estate Planning Documents are In Order.
Cash Flow: Understand the Implications of the added expenses: from diapers to daycare.
Life Insurance: Be Sure you have enough for a family. Do not be surprised as a pregnant woman if you have to wait until after the birth to finalize it.
Having a child is a beautiful and momentous experience. Plan ahead to lower the stress financially before the baby arrives. You will be taking care of yourselves and your child. And thinking ahead will mean one less thing to worry about and more time and energy to enjoy your child.
Take time to work.
It is the price of success.
Take time to think.
It is the source of power.
Take time to play.
It is the foundation of happiness.
Take time to read.
It is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to dream.
It is hitching your wagon to a star.
Take time to love and be loved.
It is the privilege of God.
Take time to look around.
The day is too short to be selfish.
Take time to laugh.
It is the music of the soul.
An Old Irish Proverb
In casual conversation, Someone told me that they were great with their investments because they had someone they trust at a big firm taking care of all that. I said terrific, how is it invested? The look they gave me was the look most people do, confusion, misunderstanding and discomfort. If I already knew what big company it was at, doesn’t that mean I know where and how it is invested?
If someone I loved was in Mercy Hospital, that would tell you one thing. But if you wanted to know more because you were close to your loved one, you would ask who the doctor is and what they were doing to them and what the diagnosis was. Yet, an established financial firm seems to be the cover for many financial questions.
There is so much more. You want to keep your money close to you and understand. You are the only one responsible, no matter who is managing the money for you. You have given them the power to manage it but still your job is to be sure they are doing what you want. And what feeds your needs and goals.
According to Financial Planning magazine and Schroders research, you are not alone:
Half of people in their mid-40s to late 50s saving for retirement don’t know how their money is divvied up between stocks, bonds and cash, according to a survey released on Thursday by Schroders.
That was true even for respondents between the ages of 60 and 67, a time when retirement is near, if not imminent. When broken out by gender, 39% of men didn’t know how their retirement funds were divvied up, compared with 59% for women. And while 35% of men said they had done a “very good” amount of planning and preparation for retirement and were fully on track, just 17% of women said the same.
One would think with a stable like a petroleum jelly product, buying in bulk is a great idea. I caution you to think twice and learn from my two-dollar investment.
This jar is large, takes up space and is more than one person really needs. Though its nifty jar offers many ways to use it, I think using it to remove make-up is a mistake. That may be the cause of some eye issues I have had, but that is another story.
Look at the store I bought it from: Caldor. From a business perspective, Caldor is a great story. A family-owned store that grew from the Fifties to employ 22,000 people. Despite their success, the Caldor company is out of business. They closed their last store in 1999.
Now in 2022, I have the just about empty jar. I hate to throw it away especially if it is antique by now. If anyone has a use for this, let me know. Apparently I am attached to it after all these years. I believe I have only furniture and photos that long.
By the way, according to one site, the Malden store closed in the early Nineties. That means I have taken my bargain through at least a half dozen moves. No wonder I am attached!
Lesson from me….Be care when you think buying in bulk is a bargain.
Today is Women’s Day. Just a time to remember those special and powerful women who raised us in life and love and career journeys. They may be Mom’s, mentors, aunts or friends who support us and our passions. We can thank them or acknowledge them quietly. And then we do something to bring up the women who need our support. That is the greatest step of the journey of support.
The question resonated around our dinner table. My Dad asked whether during the school year or not. He told us, it was important to learn something new. A great principle to live by.
I still take this approach into my daily life. And I believe I learn as much from my clients as they do from me because there is so much to learn in life. Yes, facts and figures, but also cooking, travelling and shopping tips. And then there are the emotional and personal strengths that get shared by example.
One major insight I received was due to a class I was teaching. I had just started my business in the Boston area when the Muscular Therapy Institute asked if I would teach a business class for them. I already had experience teaching skiing at Bolton Valley in Vermont and academic classes at Newbury Junior College in Boston. My MBA was in Entrepreneurship and many of these students would be starting their own businesses, so it was a natural fit. I was grateful to have a consistent, albeit small, check arriving to offset my fledging business.
Early in the first semester, I was offered to take a class that the students were required to take upon enrolling. No, I was not asked to take a massage class, but a learning class. Always willing to learn something new every day – I jumped at the opportunity to take the one day seminar. My supervisor thought it would help my teaching, instead it changed my life.
What was this magical class? An education class that introduced the student to the different ways of learning: Kinesthetic , Visual and Auditory. Then, we were taught a process to evaluate which of the three was our predominate learning style. Though briefly mentioned in my CFP training, this exposed me in a self-evaluating and more profound way.
The point was that once I knew my style versus the students, I would be a better teacher. True enough. But I also became a better learner. I knew myself better after the class. I knew movement gave me answers to questions that were somewhere in my brain. I just did not understand why until that day. I was Kinesthetic. The more I moved the more I learned.
We are all a combination of learning styles. One approach is just more prominent which means we learn easiest that way. Stop struggling around finances by knowing how you learn best. Take that approach and your financial literacy and consciousness will improve. Below are some suggestions on options to try. Use all three approaches and see which fits your style best.
Did I pass the learning style class? There was no grade. However, the administration accomplished what they wanted. I learned that the students were mostly visual learners. My learning and teaching style was different. So I adapted to the visual learners and started to ask the learning style question during classes. However, I was the one who benefited with a life-long knowledge.
Here’s why I tell you this – You can learn about personal finance in the style that works best for you. Here are three sample suggestions for you to learn more about money and behavior according to your learning style:
Kinesthetic?
Download this podcast
http://www.moneypeace.com/audio-clips/
And go for a run or do some
house or yard chores
Then write one thing down to do
Visual? Spend Five Minutes watching this video
http://www.wcax.com/story/25245210/financial-literacy-month?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=10052223
Post a reminder of what you learned somewhere so you will see it.
Auditory?
Listen to a short 15 minute clip or a whole radio show where I discuss finances.
http://www.moneypeace.com/audio-clips/
Listen to money tips regularly via podcast.
When we understand why people do things, we have the capacity to change life for the better at its very roots.
This weekend I was read and came across the above quote in Joan Chittister’s book. Made me realize that so much of what I have been doing for decades is to work to have people understand why they handle money the way they do.
The why demonstrates the how to make positive changes. Everyone’s financial changes are different. Some need better organization. Some need to spend less. Some need to spend more.
Change comes when they began to understand their behavior better.
So start asking yourself the “Why” of what you are doing around money.
Join me and learn more about yourself through Financial Wellness and Therapy by signing up for the MoneyPeace monthly newsletter at: https://www.moneypeace.com/email-newsletter-archive
A Powerful Reminder from A Dear Writing Friend of Mine. Enjoy and Practice Louder!
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing is not new. This proactive investing has been around for decades. Often going by the name of Social Responsible Investing (SRI) has evolved and matured. WIth its maturity has come a host of press and headlines. This has also led to much confusion. Many mutual funds and investment companies announcing ESG investing, though they may leave much to desire in practice.
What is one to do?
Here is a quick list to consider when you are looking for an ESG investment:
1. Understand your own investing priorities. What issues matter most to you? What do you absolutely not want to invest in? Don’t invest until you are clear on these personal choices.
2. Take the time to ask questions and dig deeper before you place your money with a mutual fund or an investment manager. You can learn the depth of their commitment beyond the gloss of the latest ESG terms and investment returns. Taking the time to learn more will align your investments with your goals.
3. Seek out tried and true investment companies with a mission in place. The companies that have been in the SRI space for the past twenty years have weathered the market swings, the negative press and kept at their ESG mission. They have the knowledge, expertise and understanding of personal preferences to hold your money to a higher standard, whether you are investing your first thousand in a mutual fund or a million a purely ESG firm.
