Long ago in a distant land…I started this blog with the intention of discussing my own personal debt and my progress toward paying it down. But shortly after that I lost interest and realized I really didn’t enjoy writing about that particular subject.

So I’ve decided to mix it up and turn this into a blog devoted to sharing money saving tips. I’ll discuss ways to deal with debt, family issues, and the economy in general, but my main goal will be to share simple ways to save money.

With the economy the way its been lately I think we could all stand to cut back a bit and I’m gonna help you do just that.

One of my favorite movies is Click, starring Adam Sandler.  Sandler plays a workaholic who comes across a magic remote control that allows him to pause or fast forward over parts of his life.  But he quickly loses control and discovers he’s missed out on most of the great moments of life.  He’s also neglected his family…he ends up old, divorced, and alone, and he has missed out on his kids childhood. 

Lying in a hospital bed after suffering a massive heart attack he realizes that his mistakes are about to repeat themselves as his son is going to skip his honeymoon to attend to business.  There’s a touching seen at the end where Sandler is struggling to catch up with his son to tell him “Family comes first.”

When I first sat down to watch Click I thought it was strictly a comedy, but instead it ended with a powerful message that really struck me hard.  As a dad I struggle to balance work and other responsibilities with family time.  I’m sure you do too.  Our lives our so busy and full of chores, errands, and responsibilities that it can be easy to lose sight of what really matters.  Nothing is more important to me than my family, but at times I still find myself putting other things before them…working, projects around the house, etc.

Then I have to sit back and remind myself of what’s important.  When the kids are pulling at me to come play its easy to say “No, daddy has work to do.”  But it breaks their little hearts. 

Time moves fast and before long they’ll be all grown up.  So I make sure to spend some quality time with them every single day now while I can.  It doesn’t take much to make my little girls happy…it can be as simple as sitting on the floor coloring or doing a puzzle together.  I cherish that time because I know it doesn’t last forever.

I hope you understand the importance of family and children.  If you find yourself pushing them aside because you have to go to work, or mow the loan, or go to the supermerket…stop.  Look at their little faces and remember they won’t be little forever.  If you don’t stop to enjoy them now you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.

By Felicia Sheffield PhD

The average person gets roughly 40 pounds of junk mail a year. This translates into an estimated 4 million tons of junk mail in the U.S. alone. Below are some simple “Green Tips” that can help you save the planet while you are managing your finances.

1. Request Paperless (Electronic) Statements:

Ask for electronic statements for your utilities, mortgage statements and credit cards. This act alone will save hundreds of trees over your lifetime. It will also help cut down on the paper clutter in your home and the need for storage files.

2. Stop Junk Mail:

Most consumers receive junk mail 2-3 times a week. More than half of the junk mail is never read and eventually ends up in the garbage can. Write to have you address removed from the junk mail list.

Send a letter plus a $1 check or money order to:

Mail Preference Service

Direct Marketing Association
 
PO Box 643

Carmel, NY 10512

3. Opt out of Preapproved Credit Card Offers:

Call or write to have your name removed from preapproved credit card offers. This will also minimize your risk of identity theft. Thieves often watch your mailbox for the preapproved credit cards or they divert them to a different mailing address without your knowledge. You can opt out of preapproved offers for five years or permanently.

A toll-free number enables consumers to opt-out of all pre-approved credit offers with just one phone call. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) for more information.

4. Pay Your Bills Online:

Most banks offer free bill pay services. Your bank will send a check for your bills with a simple click of the button. Another option is to pay directly from the website of your creditor.

Remember it is responsibility to protect and save our planet, not only for ourselves but for future generations.

About the Author:

Felecia D. Sheffield, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, author, trainer, international speaker and life coach. Dr. Sheffield has over 15 years of experience providing services to parents, schools, colleges, universities, and social services agencies. For additional articles on college, parenting, ADHD, and LD visit http://www.psychcore.com

Copyright © 2008, Felecia D. Sheffield. PhD. All Rights Reserved Worldwide in all Media. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and author bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.

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