Money Management

This week in my money management class I learned about scarcity.  That is that idea that we don't can't everything that we want.  We have constant wants we are always going to be lacking something.  We also learned about supply and demand.  And also we learned about opportunity costs and trade-offs.  

     I have loved learning and expanding my knowledge.  As it says in D&C 130:18-19: "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."  It is knowledge that we can take with us in the resurrection.  

     I feel that given this opportunity to go back to school that I've increased in wisdom and knowledge in areas that I never expected.  I have done things that I wouldn't have done.  I've become more tech savvy, I've published a book, I've become a blogger, I've created great projects that are worthy of displaying in my home.  Some of the trade-offs that I've had to give up for being in school is laundry, a messy house, and kids and a husband that I could spend more quality time with.  While these things aren't my strong points while I'm in school, luckily it will only be for a short time.  And hopefully when I'm all done with school I can be better. 

      I really want to be better with money.  I'm excited for this class.  (So is my husband!)  I often times use my small 2 week allotments up so quickly and don't leave any slush funds, so sometimes I really feel choked.  I need to be a better saver so that I can have a few splurges once in a while and not feel bad.  My mission president encouraged us to to live on the on the 80/10/10 rule.  That we live on 80% of our income, pay 10% to tithing and put another 10% into savings.  I need to follow his counsel.  My husband and I have been married for 10 years.  We have had our battles over money over the years, but I feel like we have made great strides especially just recently.  We used to have all the money come into one account.  I would see that we still had money in the account so then I would spend a little.  We have since moved our money to an online account and I only have my allotment drop in every 2 weeks.  This has really helped us keep our budget in line.  My next goal is to start really saving it away.  I need to be a better judge if it is really a want or a need.  I'm excited for this class.  Hopefully it will make me more aware of my spending habits.