It seems to be a universal language stressing the importance of saving money. Without a doubt it’s one of the things in life easier said than done. As children when we stumbled across a quarter, or even better a dollar, we viewed it as a prize. We had plans for that good fortune. For most of us it was burning a hole in our pockets until we spent it. A quick trip to the store could provide immediate happiness to our taste buds. But other kids may have had bigger plans for their unexpected piece of luck. Some of us knew if we put the money away in safe keeping we could add to it in the future. That way we could think bigger and buy something more lasting. It could have been a bike or game we wanted to save for. Or for those of us who were thoughtful at young ages, a gift for a loved one.

These kind of traits, to save money, or spend it freely, would have been instilled in us by our guardians. Today parents can start applying the principles of saving money by helping their children open up bank accounts. The child learns quickly the value in setting money aside when they are able to spend it on something special. Allowances for kids are a beneficial way of helping expose them to a work ethic. Rewarding them for keeping a tidy bedroom, or putting their laundry in the hamper (age appropriate) are just examples. The child will not just feel they are getting a handout, but that they earned their allowance.
Once we begin a new job we are expected by our employer to fill out paperwork. Large companies these days setup automatic payroll deposits for their employees, unlike smaller business that hand a check out. Either method still brings about the same end result. The dollars earned are at the discretion of the worker to do with the money as they see fit. So many of us live pay check to pay check. It soon becomes a way of life. Maybe you are struggling to get out of debt, or saving towards an education. Both are worthy causes. We all need to start somewhere, just like the child that has his piggy bank hidden under the bed.

Setting a budget for the monthly flow of bills will quickly show you where your extra cash flow is, and where it’s being spent. Clearly there are commitments that take precedence over other monthly requirements. When you review your monthly responsibilities you are offered a choice. There will be sacrifices that need to be made in order to start a savings plan. Things like packing your own lunch, quiting smoking, cutting the cable package, or discovering free activities could save you a bundle. Set aside the extra money you normally would spend on these items and put it away. Commit yourself to a monthly figure that is workable to put into a savings account. Soon you’ll be well on your way to successfully saving money.

Sarah Jane is an author of various subjects. From topics ranging from finance to travel, she offers good information and advice. For example she offers advice on everyday scenarios like rightliner.com/reviews/review-citibank.htm paying bills through citibankonline.com or

The greatness of our lives is often dependent on our vision – our concept of the future and how it could be, our understanding of the present and all that it encompasses and our knowledge of the past and the lessons it has to teach. Narrowness of vision in any of these aspects crimps and constrains the limits of our greatness, preventing us from developing fully. Too much attention to or dependence on any one direction of vision deadens our sense of the others, distorting our growth and encouraging complacency in the face of danger. It takes a fine balance of vision in all three directions and equilibrium of focus to create and maintain a great life. But what good is vision? How do we use it for our and others’ good?

Vision of the past allows us to avoid repeating the mistakes of our forbearers and to use what we know of their actions and reasoning to build upon our strengths and shore up our weaknesses as a people. It allows us an infinite library of history from which to draw wisdom and through which to experience the wisdom of others. Our past is our tool kit, providing us with the items we need to create a strong present and an inspiring future.

Vision of the present reminds of how much work remains to be done and yet provides us with a place to rest and relax. It gives us an immediate focus and allows us to test the strengths of our assumptions of the past and it’s gifts. It provides us with a home and a refuge from the mistakes of our history and the fears of our future. The present is our hearth – it is where we are, and where we always will be. Therefore, it behooves us to know it well and not narrow our sites to our immediate surroundings, lest we foul our nests too deeply to remain.

Vision of our future provides us with a space to play, to dream and to hope. It is our scratchpad for ideas and potentialities. We can project an infinite number of possibilities on it to see how they play out, while not investing in any of them prematurely or recklessly. It holds both our inspiration and our fears, for we can’t always know the best route to get to where we want to be and we can’t always avoid the snares and pitfalls of poor planning or mistaken understanding. The future is our map, and an open and unattached mind is required to view it, so that we do not become reliant on one path or one choice to lead us into it and to the destination of our choosing.

Proper tools, the safety of home and a wide-ranging and intriguing map of our journey to come are all vital instruments in creating a great life. The cultivation of a clear and far-seeing vision in all three directions is the foundation for a life well lived and a soul well fed.

(c) Soni Pitts

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of sonipitts.com SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim “soul proprietorship” in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.

She is the author of the free e-book “50 Ways To Reach Your Goals” and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.

Jewel of the Month: Petrified Wood

Petrified Wood is formed when dead wood gets saturated with silicic acid and in the absence of air, solidifies through the loss of water. Depending on the circumstances of its formation, its substance is replace by agate, quartz or more rarely, opal. Petrified Wood vibrates with the root (1st) chakra, which is located at the base of the spine. Petrified wood bestows a feeling of bond with the earth and of being in the right place at the right time. It stimulates inner imagery and ideas, yet keeps us firmly planted in realty. Trees are the overseers or chiefs of the plant kingdom. They tower above the earth with their roots sunk deeply into the ground. “They grow from the seeds of their forefathers and fertilize their children with their bodies as they depart”. Trees represent the roots of new beginnings. Petrified wood holds the records of how the growth from seedling to maturity takes place. It is the stone of transformation assisting one to rise to ones highest chosen level.

Jewels of Life:

The past couple of weeks have been spent preparing our inner garden for planting by fertilizing and working the soil. Now is the time to seed your dreams. When we plant a seed, we set the intention that it will mature into a plant that will bear fruit or grow to maturity, re-seeding itself at the end of its life. We plant a seed expecting it to sprout, take root and grow into something magnificent. Our dreams and desires become manifest when our intentions are planted into the soil of our inner gardens. We begin by setting an intention to move towards our dreams and then take action on our intention. True intentions are stated in the present moment. They are not the “I should, I have to, I must, I will, I will try, or I would like to’s”. Intentions are the “I am” statements we make to ourselves that move us forward on our path. With “I am” messages we tell ourselves that we are committed to do the work now, to take a step. With “I will” messages we put our thoughts and actions to the “someday in the future”. Our intentions are small beginnings towards the bigger picture of our dreams, the seeds from which our dreams grow. Unfortunately, many of us are fearful of planting the seed or setting intentions. We live in barren landscapes, afraid to take the risks necessary to fulfill our greatest desires. Is there an intention that you could set that would step you towards a desire, goal or dream? Call on the vibration of Petrified Wood and plant the seed that will grow to maturity. Set that intention today…I am making that phone call, I am exercising for health, I am cooking a new and healthy recipe, I am saving money towards my dream vacation, etc.

You can’t harvest what you don’t sow. So plant your desires, gently nurture them, and they will be rewarded with abundance. –Vivian Elisabeth Glyck

©2007 Annette Pieper is a Harmonic Life Specialist, highly sought motivational speaker, personal coach and mentor and CEO of Harmonic Life Institute, a company offering private and group consultations, webinars, workshops, seminars and educational material to inform and inspire you to create harmony in mind, body and soul. Sign up to receive her Jewels of Life Ezine and get your free report on boosting your metabolism at annettepieper.com annettepieper.com

Annette Pieper,

Explore the Power of Possibilities

The months of September and October are filled with anniversaries and birthdays within my circle of family and friends. I used to spend a lot of time and money in purchasing gifts and cards for everyone. I would also have to wait until I saw the person in order to give the gifts and call them on their special day. Fortunately, I have discovered that sending an anniversary and birthday e-card is a much simpler option.

To tell you the truth, I felt that an e-card was an impersonal concept and I did not want any part of it when I first heard about it. My coworkers were constantly talking about the sites that offer e-cards but I did not look at any of them. At that time, I thought that computers were taking over all the niceties in our society. I was not comfortable with the idea of replacing the traditional greeting card with the birthday e-card. However, I changed my mind when I saw an e-card for the first time.

I saw my first e-card when my husband and I were entertaining a few friends over on a holiday weekend. However, the weather did not cooperate so we ended up cooking and eating in the house instead of grilling and eating outside. As a result, we had to spend a lot of time in finishing the laundry, remaking the beds with clean sheets, cleaning the bathrooms and washing the towels. Anyway, I decided to check our emails while my husband was taking a shower.

I discovered that there was an e-card from our friends among the emails. It was a very funny singing e-card to thank us for the fun and entertaining weekend. I started looking at the birthday e-card selection as well as the other cards that were available after viewing the card. The wide variety of cards just amazed me completely. I found cards for every occasion and there are also many cards under the “just because” category. The e-cards range from sentimental to funny. In my opinion, the best feature is that the message inside the card can be personalized by the sender. I can easily find a great card, but the inside sentiment is not always suitable.

It is now easy to send a birthday e-card to my friends and family members on the day of their birthday. I can simply sit down in front of my computer and send several of the cards at one time. I can also arrange to have them sent on a different day. A person who receives the birthday e-card can also contact the sender. I am now convinced that I can still include good manners and personal touch when I send a birthday e-card.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning