Accountable - to WHOM?

Are you Accountable (and to whom?)

https://www.success.com/10-steps-to-achieve-any-goal/

Ten Steps to reach ANY Goal

Okay, when I saw this article - TEN STEPS to Reach ANY goal I figured I better look at it.

The article suggests these are “Oz” factors - like in the Wizard of Oz.

From the article,

“All of the main characters are thrust into despairing circumstances beyond their control. A tornado rips Dorothy from her Kansas farm and hurls her against her will to a strange fantasy world. The Scarecrow lives a stagnant life amid corn and crows because his creator skimped on brains. The Tin Man is rusted in place, unable to act because he lacks the heart to move. And the lovable Cowardly Lion? He lacks courage and nerve, and therefore lives life well below his potential.”

It’s not my fault that I am not the president of my company.  You see <excuse>.  I was pulled away from my life by a tornado (or lack of brains, or heart or courage).

Well - not really - YOU CAN’T let circumstances define who you are (or are not)!!!

Again, from the article,

“In other words, don’t place the hope of future success in the hands of some wizard’s wand. Relying on someone or something to save you only brings a sense of victimization that paralyzes your ability to think clearly, creatively, and quickly. Instead, take charge of shaping your own circumstances, and good, positive, game-changing things will begin to happen.

Let’s get started

-1 Redefine accountability

Okay, there are many times, that I have not liked ‘accountability’ - that I needed to report to somebody on what I am doing!  My academic friends will remember the various self-analysis reports.  My friends at Dakota State had to fill out a form called “Appendix H” (I think it got changed at some point, but my friend TF started to refer to it as “Preparation H” (for the hemorrhoid treatment - since this form was a (ahh) “pain in the ass”).  

The article uses this dictionary definition of accountability:

“Subject to having to report, explain, or justify; being answerable, responsible.”.

So, generally, the thought is that some bureaucrat somewhere in the company structure decided that we needed to fill out paperwork to justify ourselves and our work.

BUT …

The article suggests that being accountable is necessary - “ You must view your accountability as a gift to yourself, a voluntary mindset to ensure success, not something you’re force-feeding yourself even though you hate it. “

If I am going to be a success - I MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE to myself and to my bosses, and ultimately ACCOUNTABLE to God.  Romans 14:12 “So, each one of us will give an account of himself to God”.  

Have I slacked off?  Have I wasted my time that I could have used to reach my goal?  Did I play too many computer games - when I could have been writing my blog!!  Did I watch too much television when I should have been doing planks and sit-ups to work on my weak abdominal muscles?”

At some point - even if I’m my own boss - I have to be accountable to MYSELF.  It wasn’t the tornado or lack of brains, heart, or courage that kept me from success!!

-2 Think as if your life depended on it!!!

Huh?  I think a lot and my life doesn’t depend on it (or does it?)

Hey - my goal of having a flat belly is just out of my control.  You know my parents were flabby and that is my genetics - I just can’t have a flat belly.  You know, I just can’t learn calculus - I don’t have the brain for it.  I just can’t!!  It is out of my control!!

The article says “The goal you want to achieve or the problem you want to solve probably is not a life-or-death scenario, but many creative solutions come when you put everything on the line. While your life may not be at risk, your happiness and success are.”.

Do I want to stay in my dead-end job - when I COULD become more?  I could have worked harder in school!!  I could have worked harder on my job!!  I could have worked harder on my people skills to be a better teacher!!  I could have worked harder to be a better spouse!!!

Back to that statement again:  “YOUR HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS ARE DEPENDENT ON MY THINKING”!!  

(Aside, do you want to end up at age 75 saying “I really wanted to do XYZ with my life - and it just didn’t happen.  There were too many things against me that kept me back!!  Well, folks - at age 75, I’m going to be able to say “I DID IT!!!!” - and you know what “IT” is in my life!!)

What about you?

More tomorrow!!

Karen

(Aside - I walked 5.5 miles today.  I wanted to get to 7 miles.  As I was writing this, I decided I could and should get to 7 - so I went out and walked an additional mile-and-one-half.  I realize that I (too) fall short.  I talk about God at times.  Somehow I pictured being at God’s Judgement and he is asking me about my walking.  I said, “I walked 5.5 miles that day”.  God doesn’t say anything - but is looking at me.  He is still looking at me.  I started to cry “I guess I could have walked seven miles!” - at that, God smiled at me and says “Well done good and faithful servant”)

Habits of the Rich - part IV!! (Finished - kind of)

Success Habits of the Rich

From:

https://www.success.com/16-rich-habits/

The last habits of the Rich - how do YOU (and I) match up?

#11 - Avoid TOXIC people!!!

We’ve seen this before.  I use the computer term “GIGO” - garbage in, garbage out.  In these days of isolation/quarantine, AND, these days of racial hatred boiling up, we can get down on ourselves and down on life.  And, the people we associate with can be toxic.  In the past few days, I’ve heard strong negative talk on both sides - avoid people that get too toxic in their thoughts!!  I know some that watch Fox News and others that watch MSNBC - and they fill their thoughts with strong opinions.  How about the KNN - “Karen News Network” - that has one main theme - “Love one another” (or the PNN - Pollyanna News Network).

The article suggests, “you need to evaluate each of your relationships and determine if they are a Rich Relationship (with someone who can help you up) or a Poverty Relationship (with someone holding you back). Start spending more and more time on your Rich Relationships and less on your Poverty Relationships. Rich Relationships can help you find a better job, refer new business to you or open doors of opportunity.”

#13 Set aside your self-limiting beliefs

“Oh, woe is me.  I was born on the wrong side of the tracks, I didn’t go to Harvard or Yale (but I did go to Jail) [not really -although I did visit a jail once]. No one significant ever came from White Lake South Dakota.  No one significant ever came from Dakota State University.

HEY - THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!! Keep going!!

#14 Get a mentor!!!

Get somebody smart that loves to help and suggest!!!  (Hey - JB; KB, JF, and others - I’ve mentored you!!)  I’m thinking I could be a life coach.  I love to mentor!!!  (Honestly, in my retirement, I would LOVE to mentor others - try me!!!)

#15 Eliminate “Bad Luck” from your vocabulary.

It sometimes is easy to be negative.  I have a friend who didn’t do well in college.  English?  No way; courses other than math and computing were terrible.  He was working for a little company in computing and had a great aptitude for programming and computing.  He read about computing and eventually worked his way into management.  

His bosses suggest he go back to college.  That was almost like suggesting he get a root canal on all of his teeth - but he did.  In this second time in college, he got all A’s and excelled at his work.  He got his degree with taking a full load of classes, working full-time, getting married along the way, and having a child!!!  Then he got an offer of his lifetime to work for a major (MAJOR) company in an exciting new technology at a great income.  

He overcame his background and won.

Another friend got mono in college and was forced to drop out.  She worked her way through life in office assistant positions until she got her degree and became an all-star and corrected her attitude and her “bad luck” became “great luck”!!!

#16 KNOW YOUR PURPOSE!!

The article says, “It’s the last Rich Habit, but it might be the most important. Those people who pursue a dream or a main purpose in life are by far the wealthiest and happiest among us. Because they love what they do for a living, they are happy to devote more hours each day driving toward their purpose.”

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH YOUR LIFE?  

The article ended with listing five things to find your potential!!  I liked them so much, they became TOMORROW’s blog!!!  See you then!!!

Virtual Hugs - keep positive - smile - THE SKY IS THE LIMIT and YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Karen (aka “Pollyanna”)

D-Day - 2020

It was 76 years ago today - D-Day

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-d-day

Hitler (and others) were haters.  They hated the Jews, they hated people unlike themselves.  The German and Axis armies had conquered western Europe - with their partners in Japan - who had conquered much of eastern Asia.  England had survived the “Battle for Britain” (barely).  It was time to free Europe and get rid of this dictator.

I’m asking you to picture yourself on one of the thousands of little boats ferrying soldiers from England to the Normandy beaches.  You knew enough that it was going to be an invasion.  You were almost sick to your stomach from seasickness.

You heard the mortar rounds.  Maybe one hit your ship - but not enough to sink it.  (And, all of a sudden, you realize this could be your last day on Earth.)  

Your boat slowed - that must mean you were getting close to shore.  You remember the pictures - the sand cliffs overlooking the beaches.  It was hoped there wouldn’t be many Germans there - but you knew there would be some.   In a few minutes, you were to rush out of your boat, get to the shore, fight your way up the hill, and take out the enemy outposts there.  

You tried to remember your prayers from Sunday School or Catechism classes.  You called it the Lord’s Prayer, but your buddy called it the “Our Father”.  What was the other one you remembered - something about the Lord is My Shepherd.  Your buddy next to you was from Georgia - and he is white as snow.  His eyes are glassy and then he makes the sign of the cross.  He, too, has been praying. 

Then, the door opened - and you could see the water - and the shore and the cliffs.  You saw those in front of you jump into the surf - and you had a weird thought - what if the water is cold?  But cold or hot, you had to run through the water, with your 50-pound pack on your back, with your gun in the air so as not to get wet.  

You jump in (or really got pushed from behind).  There is an officer someplace yelling something - but you aren’t listening.  The water is COLD - and already you are soaked up to your chest.  You do have your gun above your head.  Looking around you see boats and soldiers all in the water.  You do hear shots - and shouts - and yelling - but you keep going. 100 feet - 50 feet - the water is getting shallower - 25 feet and you are sloshing through the surf and then - you are out of the water and on the sand!!

But, it isn’t a finish line to a race - but more of a starting line.  Ahead and slightly to the right you see a guy drop to his knees and then lay dead in the sand.  Farther ahead on the left there are two or three bodies.  As you move farther up on the shore, you can hear the machine guns.  You think about your gun, but you are too far away to shoot yet. 

You reach a point on the beach where the shooters can’t get you - you are under the cliffs and unless they lean over the cliffs, you are safe - for a minute anyway.  You look back at the sea as you take a short break - still lots of small craft in the water - still spewing out soldiers - and even more bodies on the sand - but along the base of the cliffs there are getting to be some numbers.  You see one guy that you kind of know from your squad and you two nod in the grim realization of the next step -  at each other and you say - ‘are you ready to climb?’.  

You know why you are here.  Back in South Dakota, you were in your second year as an agriculture major at South Dakota State University when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941,  You finished your sophomore year and then volunteered for the United States Army.  

While not quite propaganda, you understood the need for this war.  From the bombing of Pearl Harbor to understanding Hilter’s agenda for a superior race and both Japan and Germany invading peaceful countries - and spreading a message of hate.  

So, here you are - ready to climb a cliff and shoot at other human beings.  Like you, they aren’t the decision-makers - just ‘grunts’ in the Army.  You read “All Quiet on the Western Front” in a World History class in your senior year in high school.  Your own background is a mixture of German, Norwegian and English heritage.  But, if you don’t climb this cliff, the enemy is going to overrun England as it already has Norway.  “For the greater good,” you think as you find a winding path up the cliff.

*****

Ultimately you made it to the top - almost a minority since so many were killed.  You find a group and capture a German outpost.  You take the Germans soldiers as prisoners of war.  

In the next few months, you will work your way across northern France.  You will make it into Germany and hear of the atrocities done by the Germans to Jews, their opposition, and even religious leaders.  You learn that “War is Hell” - and you learn that you have changed.  

You survive - at least physically.  You have seen so many deaths - many young men just like you.  Your personal beliefs in a gracious God have been shaken.  

You go back to South Dakota and you finish your college degree and end up as an agricultural banker in Sioux Falls.  And, very rarely do you mention that you were in the Army on D-Day.  

There might be parallels between D-Day and the hatred still in the world today.  But, we still try to leave this Earth as a better place than when we were born.   

Let us love one another!!!

Karen

More Habits of the Rich (Part III)

Success Habits of the Rich - part III

From:

https://www.success.com/16-rich-habits/

Three days ago, I started a series on the Habits of the Rich.  The first concept was: Live within your Means - then I wrote on “don’t be cheap” (aka “Don’t be like Karen”), then suggestions 2, 3, 4.  So out of 16 habits, I’m done with four!!

Let’s see if we can get farther today!!

-5 Control your emotions!!

I found this interesting:

“Not every thought needs to come out of your mouth. Not every emotion needs to be expressed. When you say whatever is on your mind, you risk hurting others. Loose lips are a habit for 69 percent of those who struggle financially. Conversely, 94 percent of wealthy people filter their emotions. They understand that letting emotions control them can destroy relationships at work and at home. Wait to say what’s on your mind until you’re calm and have had time to look at the situation objectively.”  

I’ve used the concept - “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”!!!  “If you can be anything - Be Nice”!!!

-6 Network and Volunteer regularly

Almost three-quarters of wealthy people network and volunteer a minimum of five hours a month. Among those struggling financially, only one in 10 does this.

Networking and volunteering are standard things for me.  Zig Ziglar, the famous motivational speaker said it this way: “You can have everything in life you want - if you will just help other people get what they want.”  HELP OTHERS!!!

-7 Go above and beyond expectations

Yes, all too frequently we use the expression “That’s above my pay grade” - or “That’s not in my job description”.  Go early and stay late!!!  

-8 Set GOALS - not wishes!!  

I’ve written about SMART goals in the past - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.  “Someday I will be a millionaire” is a wish unless you have plans to make it happen!!!

-9 Avoid procrastination!!

Okay, friends - let’s get it done.

There have been times in this current quarantine/isolation that I have procrastinated - I need to stay on top of things!!

The article suggests:

-a Create “TO DO” lists - (If not, I can miss out on things - like my grocery lists - I can forget things if it isn’t written down)

-b Have a daily five - your top five things to do today!!

-c Set and communicate artificial deadlines.  The article says there is nothing wrong with finishing early!!  (Hey - if you applied that to college students, all papers would be much easier to read and grade!!!)

-d Have accountability partners.  If I say I’m going to do it, then - (ahem) - I AM going to do it.  Commitment is commitment!!

-e And affirm it - “I will do this”, “I will do this”, “I will do this”.  [Okay, Karen - what about that book you are writing … oops - I’m behind on that]

-10 Talk less and listen more.

The article suggested a 5 to 1 ratio - listen for five minutes for every minute you talk!!!

-12 Don’t give up (Yes, I know I skipped #11) - 

Rich people / successful people keep going.  Why was Pete Rose known as “Charlie Hustle” - because he ran out all his ground balls - safe or out - because he kept going!!!

So, I’m closer to the end - tomorrow, point #11; then points 13 through 16!!!  

While this article was written for the rich - it is really for the successful - the go-getters of our society!!!

So, how are you going to put this into play this week?

Hugs!!

Karen

Rich Habits #2

Success Habits of the Rich

From:

https://www.success.com/16-rich-habits/

Yesterday, I started a series on the Habits of the Rich.  The first concept was: Live within your Means

Let’s go further today:

-2 Don’t Gamble

The reality is that those that can generally NOT afford it - are the ones buying the lottery and PowerBall tickets!!  Sure, if they win, they may be set for life.  

I checked yesterday and the current minimum PowerBall total is $40 million dollars!!!  And, yes, if you let your brain start meditating on that - 40 million is a big amount.  (Of course, the government will tax that!!!)  But, even after tax, it will be a big chunk of money.

But, what would that really do to you and your lifestyle?  A lot of people who have hit it big on the lottery come out worse off.  Every relative, charity, acquaintance wants you to give them some.  Have a big house built?  Sure - but then you’ll need a fence to keep looters out.  You’d have to have servants at your big house - do you know how to do that?  Cars?  Chauffeurs? Caviar? (Have you ever had caviar?  Do you even like it?).  Would it make your life better?  Maybe or maybe not!!

And, the odds are ONE in 292,201,338 - or about 1 in 300 million!!!  1 person out of 300 million?  Your chance of having an oil well in your backyard is probably higher than that!!!   

But, IF - you want to - you can gamble - FOR FUN - set aside a small amount out of your entertainment budget.  Let’s say you put $50 in your monthly entertainment budget - maybe $10 for lottery tickets, $20 for movies, and $20 for eating out.  So, hey if you lose the $10 - so what.  The problem comes in when that entertainment money might be needed for milk and bread.  And, too many people can’t stop.  They get in a hole when gambling - and the best way out of the hole is to buy more lottery tickets and go to more casinos!!!  

The odds are truly stacked against you!!!

BUT many wealthy people DO GAMBLE!!  But with forethought.  Many are entrepreneurs - and have started businesses - that is a gamble.  I’m sure they have done their due diligence about the markets and the timing - but they put their time and money on the line to try new ventures.  Some will “play” with the stock market - but with analysis and smart decisions!!!

-3 Read every day

This is from the Habits of Rich People - and they READ!!

A survey showed these results:

• 63 percent listen to audiobooks during their commute.

• 79 percent read educational career-related material.

• 55 percent read for personal development.

• 58 percent read biographies of successful people.

• 94 percent read current events.

• 51 percent read about history.

• 11 percent—only 11 percent—read purely for entertainment purposes.

I listen to audiobooks when I walk.  Sometimes they are non-fiction (like Brene Brown - “Daring Greatly” and “Braving the Wilderness” or Simon Sinek’s “Finding your Why”. And, sometimes it is for entertainment.  Back at my apartment, I read lots of things as I write this blog and do other writing!!!  

Do you read?

-4 Forget television and surfing the internet.

The article nails this:

“How much of your valuable time do you lose parked in front of a screen? Two-thirds of wealthy people watch less than an hour of TV a day and almost that many—63  percent—spend less than an hour a day on the internet unless it is job-related.”

“Instead, these successful people use their free time engaged in personal development, networking, volunteering, working side jobs or side businesses, or pursuing some goal that will lead to rewards down the road. 

“But 77 percent of those struggling financially spend an hour or more a day watching TV, and 74 percent spend an hour or more a day using the internet recreationally.”

(Gee - that makes me happy that I don’t have a television!!! Although, I do spend too much time on Internet recreation !!!)

Well -  there are 16 points in this article - and I’ve looked at four of them.  So, it seems we will be back at this article for a few more days!!!

But - the information is good.  You get to choose who you are - and how much time you put into leisure and how much time is spent in sharpening the sword.  Balance, balance, balance!!!

Hugs!!

Karen 

Spending beyond my means -

Rich Habits - 1B

https://www.cato.org/blog/marching-federal-debt-crisis

This kept coming to me, so I better write about it

Yesterday I wrote about “Living within your means”.  Save 20% of your income, don’t use debt (or use it sparingly), and more.

BUT - I needed to add a comment. (To myself)

DON’T BE TOO CHEAP, KAREN!!!

Yes, I can be too cheap!!!  I was happy last week when I got my electric bill.  It was the lowest it has ever been since I moved into my apartment 20 months ago.  Now, my apartment is fairly small - one bedroom.  Back in late February when the days were warming up, I turned my heating/cooling system off.  During the days, I would open the curtains and let the sunlight in to warm the apartment.  In April, we had a few days over 90, and again now.  I didn’t turn on the air conditioning - so my electric bill (it is an all-electric apartment) was low.  But, now, summer is here - and I will have to cool off my place!!!  

I have a goal (LMG) to be able to endow additional scholarships at Dakota State University when I die.  So, each dollar I save now can go for the next generation of students!!!  Now that is a nice goal - helping students get a great education!!!  (And, I’m just trading my own comfort for theirs!!!)  Okay, that is being too cheap Karen!!!!!

I drive an efficient car (2012 Nissan Versa) - and I get about 38 miles per gallon.  There have been some weeks where I’ve gotten 40+ MPG.  

And, I “paid” for that good mileage!!!  (Don’t be too cheap Karen).  I used to shift into neutral and coast to stop signs and stop lights - get that mileage up.  Well, that was hard on the transmission - and I paid for that when I needed a new transmission last January!!!!  (Yup - not too smart Karen!!!)

My closet is full of clothes donated to me - and bought at thrift shops!!  (Karen, you can go shopping - really - retail therapy is good!!!)

Yes, I don’t have television - most of the reason for that is I don’t watch TV that much - and I don’t want to see the news about COVID-19 (and now about the riots).  But, hey, that is saving me money - not to pay for cable TV!!!  

*****

Let’s take a detour in the other direction - spending beyond your income.  

The government is a master at spending beyond their income.  Our current budget deficit is $984,000,000,000 (billions) - our current debt is: $125,000,000,000 (that is 125 TRILLION).  We spend about 9% of the federal budget paying interest on the money we (the USA) borrowed.  Gee, that 9% could go for schools, roads, national infrastructure issues.

A lot of that debt payments go to China (and others) who buy up our debt.  Who knows, at what point will China say “Hey pay-up or else?”   

When you throw in problems - like stimulus checks to all Americans to keep the economy going in the COVID-19 crisis - and what will most likely be a sluggish economy for a while (that is, less income because more are not working), our debt will continue to rise and our deficit will also grow.  

It is a difficult tightrope to walk - keep the economy going but attempt to service the debt so it doesn’t get much larger.  

A quote attributed to Ben Franklin is, “The only two sure things are death and taxes.”  I will die sometime in the next 50 years - and I will not be paying taxes - but my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be paying until they die!!!  

*****

Well - two thoughts - don’t be too cheap Karen (hmm - if it is getting stuffy in my apartment, time to turn on the air conditioning); and the government not able to live within its means,  

I can control only one of these things - and a few dollars spent on ‘creature comfort’ might keep my body happy - and maybe won’t impact DSU too badly!!!

Hugs!!!

Karen

Rich Habits - part I

Success Habits of the Rich

From:

https://www.success.com/16-rich-habits/

I saw this and wanted to write on it (and, to be honest, I didn’t want to write on COVID-19, or Black Lives Matter or racial hatred - I can come back to those, but I wanted to be more upbeat)

The article starts talking about habits:

“Instead, the differences are in our daily habits. Do you realize that these subconscious, second-nature activities make up 40 percent of our waking hours? That means that two out of every five minutes, all day and every day, we operate on autopilot. It’s true: Habits are neural pathways stored in the basal ganglia, a golf ball-size mass of tissue right in the center of our brains, in the limbic system.

“This neural fast lane is meant to save the brain energy: When a habit is formed and stored in this region, the parts of the brain involved in deeper decision-making cease to fully participate in the activity. However, we all know there are good habits and bad habits.”

So, let’s get started!!

-1 Live within your means!!

The article suggests that wealthy people save for their future.  In my case, the “future is now”.  I/we saved part of every payroll check - first at 10% and later at 20% and put it into a retirement account (IRA).  Even with my pending divorce - and the COVID-19 virus hitting the stock market - I think I have funds for the future.  And, I know I get into some death thoughts at times, if and when I run out of funds, I will die!!!  It is my intent to ‘Invest” my surviving funds in higher education scholarships (most likely the endowed scholarship fund at DSU).  

The article states:

“Wealthy people avoid overspending by paying their future selves first. They save 20 percent of their net income and live on the remaining 80 percent. Here are some sensible ways to budget your monthly net pay:

• Spend no more than 25 percent on housing, no matter if you own or rent.

• Spend no more than 15 percent on food.

• Limit entertainment—bars, movies, miniature golf, whatever—to no more than 10  percent of your spending. Vacations should account for no more than 5 percent of your annual net pay.

• Spend no more than 5 percent on auto loans, and never lease. Ninety-four percent of the wealthy buy instead of leasing. These folks keep their cars until the wheels fall off, taking great care along the way so that they save money in the long run.

• Stay away from accumulating credit card debt. If you are doing this, it’s a clear sign that you need to cut back somewhere.  

• Think of savings and investments as two completely different things. You should never lose money on your savings. Try to stash six months of living expenses in an emergency fund in case you lose your job or your business goes belly-up.

• Contribute as much as you can afford to a retirement plan. If you work for a company that matches your contributions up to a certain percentage, great. Always take that free money when you can get it.

With the recent coronavirus/COVID-19, job layoffs, the stock market hit, many people lost jobs, and some lost health insurance - just when they might need it the most for paying for hospital stays from this virus.  

And, for me - just looking at these:

• Rent/housing - my apartment is on the cheap side - and less than 25% of my monthly income.  With my electrical, water, trash, and related, it might be just about 25%.  

• Food - I really don’t know what I am spending on food.  My guess is that I am less than the 15% suggested.  I think I shop wisely - and avoid impulse buying.  (Although I did get tapioca and butterscotch pudding the other day!!!).  I have cut back on my peanut butter habit (and I miss it - but I’m okay).  My crockpot gets a lot of boneless chicken breasts with rice - or with beans - or with lentils.  (And, I get lots of fiber!!  <smile>)

• I have no auto loans.  My car is now eight years old - and as suggested, I am planning on driving it until the wheels come off!! (If I am to splurge in the future, I want something quasi-practical for a senior driver - like an autonomous vehicle!!)

• Credit card debt.  Years ago, when I worked at Citibank in the summers, I/we learned to use the credit card frequently - but pay off the total amount every month.  

• Savings - I had a major car repair in January (transmission failure) that wiped out most of my/our savings, but I am working on bringing that back up!!

WOW - this article had 16 habits - and I mostly got through the first one today!!  I will return to this tomorrow!!!

Be careful with your money, your health, your relationships, your attitude, and your brain!!

Hugs!!

Karen