"Budgeting"

Okay next to the word "diet", "budget" is the next bad word that nobody likes to say, think about, or do.  I like to call it Money Maintenance.  I like maintenance because you are constantly maintaining what you have available and fine tuning it as you go.  

With recently purchasing our first little home we found that we needed to better maintain our spending.  With a home comes unforeseen expenses/wants/needs.  So, we are going to the old tried and true method of the envelope method.  This is a method that everyone can use.  And there are many people out there that have written and taught how to do it gracefully.

Now, this is how we are choosing to do it.  What we do is each payday is leave just what is needed to pay bills in the bank.  The remainder we cash out and put into our envelopes.  We do this because we live in a world of debit card use.  This gets us all in trouble and broke faster than we realize.  So by starting out in a very simple, non complicated way, I list just four envelopes.

* Food

* Fuel (Gas)

* Misc. (Entertainment, Drinks, Clothes, etc.)

* Savings (reserved for any money left over after this pay period)

This is my simple way of trying this out.  I will say I have done this in the past.  Actually the first time I did this was on our vacation to Nashville.  We had $600 to get there, stay 4 nights, and drive home to Utah.  What we both discovered is that we not only had little money worries, but we had fun, spent freely, and came home with money left over.

I encourage you to try it.  Even if you start with just two envelopes and just $50.  Try it and see how it goes.  And please ask in my comment section if you should have any questions/concerns.  Remember, I am always happy to help!!!

Employed Teens...

There are several reasons why a teen should work and there are reasons why they should hold off or just can't.  I recall my teenage years that you know very little but yet you think you know everything.  Oh the mistakes we have all done and said during those formative years.  While working with youth and adult women, there are many things that teens are not aware of.  Do you ever wonder why a 16 year old teen keeps his fast food job for a decade or more?  It could be because his motivation to go anywhere else or attend college is to intimidating.  Maybe he's had some minor run in's with the law, or maybe it is laziness.  After all if he's still living in the basement playing video games and wearing the same sloppy clothes why should he/she change?

One popular attitude among our young today is entitlement.  This is toxic and usually fault of the parents.  Yes, parents!  We are not living in a society that supports one parent working to support the household while mother stays home and takes care of her brood.  So both parents, who, some are also a bit entitled and trying to keep up with the latest trends.  Rather than spend time with their kids, they turn them into lonely entitled teens and adults.  Parents you cannot buy your kids love, nor should you.  Your time is what they need, not your nagging, but positive time. Also, parents it is not your child's obligation to take care of YOUR kids either.  Now, babysitting once in a while is fine, and normal.  But I see way to many parents who feel it's sibling duty to raise these young children.

So, keep in mind this is my own opinion based on experience and years of personal observation.  I understand certain circumstances and things of that nature that can turn a family upside down.  And tough times require a family unit to help out and support each other.  We as a human race are not perfect.  But for some reason we strive to be.

So, teens, why should you work if you can.  Well, because it will teach you responsibility, accountability, self respect, new knowledge, and you'll make new friends.  Then you can be responsible by paying your own bills, like cell phones, gas, auto insurance, clothing, etc.

TEEN JOB TIPS

DO

-Get your Social Security Card, Driver’s License, State Identification Card, or Passport. 

-Get familiar with common questions on job applications. For your teen job there is no need at this time for a resume.  However, if you do have one it will make you appear more mature and organized.

-Make sure you know your address, phone number, and email address.

-Practice proper grammar

-Use proper language

-Look interviewer in the eye

-Answer questions to the best of your ability

-Have an interview outfit to wear that is clean, with no stains, or tears.

-Good Hygiene is important, you need to shower, brush your teeth,  hair, and wear DEODORANT.   Also clean fingernails are important.

-Thank the interviewer for their time and shake their hand when the interview is over

DON’T

-Come unprepared, without proper identification you cannot legally work.

-Do not speak to the interviewer like he’s your school buddy, he is to be treated with respect.

-Do not speak in slang, vulgar, or bad language.

-Don’t take your phone to an interview

-Do not get distracted by others around you while you are being interviewed.

-Don’t chew gum, candy, or take a drink with you.

-Do not wear sunglasses,, put them in your purse or pocket.

-Do not tell the manager that you should make more than what they offer when you have little or no experience.

-Do NOT show up late, if you think you will be call to let them know.

-Do not treat your job like your high school class.  You are there to do a good job, not goof off with friends or flirt.

GOOD LUCK!!!

I have moved!!

Not that this changes anything with regard to help or resources.  However, I am looking forward to getting to know my new city and what they have to offer.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or needs.  I am always happy to help if I am able.......with anything.  So many times we don't know where to begin to find an answer or start something.  That's where I come in, I can help you locate something or steer you in the right direction.

After experiencing a recent suicide of a close family friend I was shocked at how little help there is out there for the survivors left behind to heal and recover.  For some reason there is more grief support if you lost your pet than if you lost a human, go figure.  Suicide is a sad situation in which we may never understand.  I think it is important to not pass judgement.  We have no idea what those last moments of the living were.  And remember, those who made this choice did have people who loved them.  It is not bad people who do this.  Suicide strikes all income and status levels.  For those who may be struggling with a sudden loss of a loved one from suicide I have found some information that may help you.  Please do not be to proud to seek help in recovery, such as, grief counseling, grief support groups, and churches.  The worst thing you can do is NOT talk about it or how you feel.  Grieving is a process for for everyone it is different.  It may not strike you at first but it will eventually be something you will need to accept, process, and recover from.

Here are some informative items and booklets I have found:

http://utahsuicideprevention.org/after-a-suicide-after-an-attempt 

http://www.namiut.org/families-caregivers/suicide-survivors

(NAMI is more focused on mental health, but has the SOS booklet which I strongly recommend)

Go to the link above and read this booklet or print out for a friend or family member  

Suicide Survivor Handbook

View and download PDF online

http://www.survivorday.org/

Resource and Healing Guide

http://www.afsp.org/content/download/2737/50333/file/resource_healing_guide.pdf

http://www.afsp.org/local-chapters/find-your-local-chapter/afsp-utah

NOTE:   Please comment below if you need help or are looking for resources in your local area.  I will see what I can find for resources.  

Just say NO to Divorce!

As the picture states below, when  your marriage is broken, fix it!  I am more of pro-marriage than pro-divorce advocate.  Yes, I myself have gone through a divorce so I know the feelings and some of the reasons for it.  However, I have now been married for over 20 years and proud of all the good and bad days we've shared.  We as individuals have changed as well as our marriage.  You have to work at it.....  You work hard for that promotion at work, to be the best parent, to have the best looking house on the block.  Why is that more important than taking care of your marriage maintenance?

I had the pleasure of speaking to Lindsay and Clinical Director Adam at Utah Valley Counseling where he patiently provided some good referrals for all types of needs.

Here are some resources I have come across that I hope you will consider before you call it quits.

In UTAH County, UT

http://utahvalleycounseling.com/therapy-services/marriage-counseling/ 

NOTE: they offer a FREE 15 minute initial phone consultation.

801-407-4134

• Communication problems
• Parenting issues
• Time together
• Differing needs
• Couple conflict
• Blow-ups or shutting down
• Bringing up past mistakes
• Financial disagreements
• Sexual issues
• Divorce and blended families
• Unemployment
• Infertility
• Anger and resentment
• Life transitions
• Chronic illness
• Addictions

If Addiction is at the root of your marriage issues, call 

http://www.suncrestcounseling.com/

801-642-2193

They have many offices all over the Wasatch front.  The phone number above is for the American Fork office.  Or you can contact their main office in South Jordan 801-255-1155

I don't think there is one family that is NOT affected by addiction.  Did you know that alcohol is the most commonly abused substance?  Some use it to self sooth their depression or anxiety, but before you know if, if your not careful you become an addict.

http://newroadstreatment.com/residential-behavioral-health/

855-249-4173

This came highly recommended due to offering inpatient, transitional, and outpatient counseling.  What I like on their website is their approach.  They are located in Sandy, UT.

NOTE:  It is also recommended that the counseling center also offer all of the areas that you and  your family will need.  For example, treat addiction, then one on one spouse counseling, then marriage counseling, and eventually family counseling.  The ripple effect of addiction is huge and though you may think that only you are suffering, children, parents, grandparents, friends, and co-workers can also be affected.  

And remember, having a spiritual aspect is also fulfilling and often needed.  Any program will WORK if you WORK at it.  Marriage counseling and Addiction treatment takes hard work, but it CAN work.  And don't forget about AA.

 I have personally seen this work, but you HAVE to work it.

area69communications@utahaa.org 

And remember,

Through God all Things are Possible!

https://medi-share.org/  

For anyone in need of medical insurance type of help I encourage you to check out the Medi-Share website.  

What is Medi-Share?

Medi-Share is a community of more than 129,000 Christians who follow the biblical model of sharing and paying each other's medical bills much like the early church did 2,000 years ago. Members of this not-for-profit ministry live healthy biblical lifestyles, which keep costs down-family options are about $300 per month. With seven levels of sharing, you'll find flexible convenient choices to fit your family.

Medi-Share is Christians Making a Difference

Since 1993, Medi-Share members have shared more than $1.1 billion in healthcare expenses.

Instead of monthly premiums, which are skyrocketing nationwide, Medi-Share members share in each other's medical bills and on average pay significantly less for healthcare. Members also pray for and send notes of encouragement to each other.

If the federal healthcare reform mandate has you seeking a wise and God-honoring choice for your healthcare, you'll find it in Medi-Share. Medi-Share members have a special provision in the law and are exempt from the requirement to purchase costly health insurance or face penalties!