YOUR FINANCES

"A feast is made for laughter,
And wine makes merry;
But money answers everything."
Ecclesiastes 10.19

Money,money ..money.  We cannot do without it!  Money is not everything but we are agreed that it makes life better.

Money is defined as any object, that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country.  The main functions of money are therefore distinguished as...a medium of exchange; a unit of account and a store of value.  Money derives its value by being declared by Government to be legal tender, which means it must be accepted as a form of payment within the stipulations and boundaries of the country, for all debts, public and private.

The word "money" is believed historically to originate from a temple of Hera, located on Capitoline, one of Rome's seven hills.  In the ancient world Hera was often associated with money.  The temple of Juno Moneta at Rome was the place where the mint of ancient Rome was located.  The name "Juno" may derive from the Etruscan goddess Uni (which means "the one" "unique", "unit", "union", "united") and "Moneta" either from the Latin word "monere" (remind, warn, or instruct) or the Greek word "moneres" (alone, unique).  In the Western World, a prevelent term for coin-money has been specie, stemming from Latin in specie, meaning "in kind".

Financial worries are common these days.  Many people are knee-deep in debt, most of it is consumer debt driven.  Yes, personal debt is at an all-time high.  Many companies are equally debt ridden, they are in financial troubles surviving on bank overdrafts.  The majority of employees are not sure how long they will  remain in employment, making it hard to plan their financial futures.  So-called job security is no more.  Corporate "rightsizing" or "restructuring is a catch word these days all over the globe.

However, amidst all these uncertain conditions, one of the first things wise people realize  is the old adage, "If it is to be, it is up to me."  Wow, how true and powerful-- the ball is in your court, your financial success and your course is up to you.  It simply means that you take total responsibility for your life and your future.

"Man is made and unmade by himself.
In the armory of his thoughts he forges
weapons by which he destroys or
builds himself."
James Allen

Here are a few principles for cash management that have been proven time and time again to fit an economic situation, be it in high inflation or low, in depression or recession and even a monetary collapse as happened to my beloved Zimbabwe:

1. Avoid going into debt especially consumer one.
2. Live within your means.
3. Save and invest (seek advice from gurus).
4. Set long-term financial goals.
5. Everything you have belongs to God (He is Lord of the whole earth, of everything in it- and of everything you own - therefore acknowledge Him.)

Here are some of the advantages of implement these principles:
-People who follow these principles will accumulate interest on their investments instead of paying out interest on debts.  It follows then that in times of high inflationm the people who follow these guidelines will see their net worth go up while the net worth of everyone around them is being eaten up by rising prices and interest.
-In good economic times the same principles result in lower spending, lower interest payments, and greater money set aside for emergencies and financial freedom.
-If there is a monetary collapse...it will be those who are spending less than they earn, who have savings, who have immoveable assets, and who have avoided debts who will be in the best position to weather those times.

You owe it to yourselt to start asking yourself the following questions: which way do I want my financial life to go?  What other option is there for me?  What opportunities are available out there?  Answers to these questions, will open up your mind to what is possible for you.

Quit blaming others and the economy for your financial instability.  Make a quality decision to get up and get going.  You may want to check out CarbonCopyPRO at http://www.persistsite.com/.

So until next time, remember  "AND IN ALL YOUR GETTING, GET UNDERSTANDING. PROVERBS 4:7

Howard Mahere
NewZealand