Credit Corner The Money Game

Money, we all need it, but few of us really understand it. Some of us have a love/hate relationship with it. Money is something that will always be in your life, so you need to get comfortable with it - not afraid of it. But then again, some of us are too comfortable with it!

One of the most important things I learned growing up was that when you play a game, you’ve got to know the rules, because rules define how to succeed at the game. But in the real world the rules sometimes change. Sometimes without us knowing or wanting to still play. That is how our lives are daily with money. The creditors change the rules, maybe our job changes and we are making less money, or perhaps an illness strikes and we struggle to pay the medical bills - life happens - and we need to adjust as our lives change. We need to be pro-active with knowledge about our finances continually learning and seeking knowledge and not leaving it up to someone else’s sense of fair play.

Each dollar that comes your way you have the power to determine it’s destiny. Spend that dollar foolishly and you’ll have it no more or choose to spend that dollar wisely and turn it into an investment that continually makes money for you. . Two ways to be wise with your money is to

1) say no to compulsive spending and using credit cards without a plan to pay it back and

2) write down EVERYTHING. Make a budget - spend every paycheck on paper BEFORE it comes in. So that way you will know where your money needs to go instead of it telling you where it wants to go. This is your game plan A little bit on controlled pain now in your finances will change your life in the future.

Our agency offers financial literacy classes to keep you leaning.. The next one beginning March 2nd. We are also having a FREE First Time Homebuying Workshop on February 18th - you must pre-register however for the class.

I hope all of you will take the time to learn the rules of the game with your finances and will successful in the completion.

Theresa is a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor, Certified Housing Counselor, and also is Certified for Pre and Post Filing for Bankruptcy. She can be reached at 248-0475 or by e-mail at tross@familyserviceschassc.com.