One for the Money

"The wind and waves will
periodically interfere with our chosen
course, even in financial matters;
but the laws of the gospel can bring us
back on course and guide us
to peaceful waters."
ELDER MARVIN J. ASHTON

I was able to recently read the church pamphlet called "One for the Money" which has a lot of the written work taken from Marvin J. Ashton in a general conference talk, but there are also principles of the gospel contained in it to help us navigate through the financial woes of life. After I read this pamphlet I thought what was the purpose of this pamphlet, is it to help me be rich or get out of debt fast?  The pamphlet says neither, but it does promise that those who follow these teachings will live "abundantly and in happiness" which I like to imagine those two things that I mentioned may come from applying these teachings.  

The twelve principles that we need to live by are as follows:

1 . PAY AN HONEST TITHING

2.  LEARN TO MANAGE MONEY BEFORE IT MANAGES YOU

3. LEARN SELF-DISCIPLINE AND SELF-RESTRAINT IN MONEY MATTERS

4. USE A BUDGET

5. TEACH FAMILY MEMBERS EARLY THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING AND EARNING

6. TEACH CHILDREN TO MAKE MONEY DECISIONS IN KEEPING WITH THEIR CAPACITIES TO COMPREHEND

7. TEACH EACH FAMILY MEMBER TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TOTAL FAMILY WELFARE

8. MAKE EDUCATION A CONTINUING PROCESS

9. WORK TOWARD HOME OWNERSHIP

10. APPROPRIATELY INVOLVE YOURSELF IN AN INSURANCE PROGRAM

11. UNDERSTAND THE INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL FORCES ON FAMILY FINANCES AND INVESTMENTS

12. APPROPRIATELY INVOLVE YOURSELF IN A FOOD STORAGE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

I think these are pretty self explanatory, but I just want to add to bullet eleven that if you ever come across a get rich or it seems too good to be true then that's probably what it is, too good to be true. Try and avoid any of these for they will not bring happiness, but only despair.  Also if you are anything like myself when you read bullet twelve about food storage you just have no idea where to start.  There are many websites and blogs online that can help you plan how to do this planning much better than your own knowledge. I haven't found the website that I prefer the most so I won't post anything on here. A simple way of doing it is by buying two extra cans whenever you go to the grocery store and eventually your food storage will begin to build itself.  A rule of thumb is when you plan to build your food storage only pick items you could see yourself eating. If you don't like it now your not going to like it when you are in need of it. Try to make your storage a enjoyable experience. Also as a way of financially securing yourself you need to keep extra cash around the house in time of need. Dave Ramsey says if you make more than 20,000 a year you need to put away $1,000 for emergency.  If you make less than 20,000 a year he suggests you store away $500 a year away. Just talking about these principles helps me feel more financially secure which would help me feel more confident leading to happiness, not of one in wealth, but in stability.