Wheel of Life

Ever seem like there is never enough time to get it all done?  If you answer no, then you need to reassess yourself and see if you can be challenged.  For the rest of us who have likely answered yes, I am blogging about this very topic now in lieu of new year's resolutions to do better. 

Upon reading this interesting article about livinging intentionally, I love how the author asks you to review your seven areas, i e the wheel of life.  Now Zig Ziglar is wonderful at descibing his concept.  I admit that I grabbed a piece of scrap paper and pen (the old fashioned way) to draw it.  If you have a tablet or ipad, just open a blank screen and use a wand to create your pie.  I wrote out each one....Career, Financial, Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Family and Social.  Soon I was filling it in.  Some were easy and some others I was feeling anxious.  Interesting. 

At any point in our life, we are right where God needs us to be.  Yet, as I completed my wheel of life, I couldn't help but feel regret, pride, happiness, peace, anxiety, doubt and joy all in a single time period.  After all, it's my life.  Perhaps you may encounter mixed emotions upon writing it all out. 

It's easy to feel anxious about the future.  It's easy to feel worry about the present.  It's easy to be happy and sad about past decisions.  It's time to set aside these emotions and determine a new way.

This is exactly how God wants us to come to Him and make us new in Him.  To shed the old and take on the new.  It is mixed emotions at it best, and yet once done, you feel the best ever.

Meanwhile, how will you deal with certain demands?  how will you deal with the "off days"?  how will you know what to do and what not to do? how will you know to manage your time wisely?  God knows.  God will see you through this day whether you walk beside Him or He carries you.  God's will will be done.

by Stephanie S Arredondo  (c)  2013

Financial tip the old fashion way

Most folks keen on cutting expenses and trying to do more with less funds find themselves working hard only to save a few cents here and there.  It's a struggle to find a way to earn money and then find out that it costs more than before for that one item.  Even in 2013 as we embark on higher taxes and higher prices while incomes are less than before makes for a gloomy season financially.  Perhaps it's wise to shift the perspective from the gloom and doom (or rather the black and red) to the liquid sunshine (or the glass is half full approach). 

Do more with less.

It can't be that simple.  I find that when I don't go out of the house and stay away from stores, I spend a lot less.  It's a means of self-preservation where I stay away from the store or influence to take my money.  These days, I am learning about delayed gratification.  For example, I need to fill my gas tank up with gasoline but I can wait a few more days until I need to refill it. 

Staying away from the stores where you are nothing but ATTACKED by everything in it's path to get you to spend more money than you had originally intended.

Those promotional coupons, it is nice to save $1 but I ended up spending an extra $5 because after all I saved $1.  The concept of saving xyz on the final bill versus how much did I acutally spend is the difference you need to make in your financial behavior pattern.

While these ideas seem too simple, not sophisticated and redundant, it is wise to guard your billfold, don't be bullied into saving because it's a great deal or coupon, and reconsider the old-fashioned way of doing things.  It may be less technology, less gratification and less socialization, but the reward is far greater when you can remain on track with your budget and feel financial peace.  That's a great financial tip.

(c)  2013  Alfa Sugar 

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2013! 

While it may be a time to say out with the old and in with the new, the neat thing is that there's lots of choices and things to do, both old and new. 

It's fun to find out about new activities or books to read or social activities to do in addition to the regular day to day duties.  In many ways, it ends up overwhelming any normal person because there are soooo many choices.  Take the grocery store for example.  Okay I need to buy peanut butter but there are 20 varieties on the shelf so which is the one best matching what I need.  By the time I narrow down the selection, it's taken me several minutes that fly by fast but are much more grueling when my children are there.  Then it's off to the next item and another round of too many choices.  If people think it is easier to shop at the grocery store these days, it's challenging because of all the choices you must make.  I am liking the order your groceries online and drive over to pick them up.  It's $5 and that's well worth my time. 

That's my point.  There are too many choices that are taking too much time.  There are too many things to do that are taking too much time.  Your time is precious and is increasingly becoming more precious as every business and thing out there tries to get it.  Do you understand how you are becoming overwhelmed? 

There are the old ways of doing things.  There are the new ways of doing things (along with the learning curve).  What's overwhelming you today? 

For the New Year, perhaps a new year resolution is to be less overwhelmed and more pragmatic with where you spend your time.

Instead of spending time on the phone talking, why not read that one book your child is begging you to read because he wants your attention?  Instead of spending hours at the stores, why not sit down with a friend for a cup of coffee and fellowship?  Instead of fretting over coupons and saving nickels and dimes, why not go to the one grocery store where you know prices are already low enough?  Sometimes giving a little can mean a big benefit in lifestyle choice, time and the things that money can't buy. 

In Ephesians 4:1, it states for you to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received."  Where you are right now is right where God needs you to be.  For those times when you get overwhelmed, it is a good time to keep in mind this financial perspective. 

(c) 2013 Stephanie S. Arredondo     Alfa Sugar