The Last Words.

Rich. Poor. Wealthy. Low-income. High-class. Trailer Park. Homeless. Millionaire. 1%.  99%. Educated. GED. Dropout. Spare a dime. First home. Second home. Tax breaks. Welfare. Debt-free. Food stamps.

Words are very powerful. Each one of them has a meaning behind them that can be real or perceived. They can be dangerous. They can be supportive. They can be inspirational.  They can hurt. They can be strong. They mean things that we may not want them to mean. We use hundreds of them everyday. To express a feeling. To make a point. They are hurled. They are strategic. They are wise. They are cutting. We speak them. We write them. We wish we could take them back. We wish we said more. We use them in everything we do. 

The last words are always the hardest. The purpose is to leave a point that matters.  Something that provides inspiration. Something that makes us think. Something that connects our stories to others.  

Here is my attempt at some last words.

It’s great to be alive. Most of us would agree with that. Especially in light of the New Year. It’s a time when you can put things behind you and start anew with a fresh perspective and a new-found commitment to making it happen. But, life is also hard. I think most of us would agree with that as well. There are many struggles and challenges that bring us down. And for some people it’s hard just to get up every morning. 

Our financial situation is only one of the many things that can be difficult and cause our lives stress. It’s truly amazing how important money is in our lives and how it can help or hurt. Even if you try to live simply and look for meaning in non-material, non-financial things in this world – you still need money to survive.

When I walk from my office to Summit Credit Union downtown, I often pass by a homeless woman who sits on a little bench next to the Department of Public Instruction.  She has a shopping cart with her that carries all of her belongings. She often sits there with her coat over her head and face so you can’t see her. Matter of fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her face. That’s a hard life. Every time I see her it reminds me of how good things are in my life, and how easily they could be so much worse. 

I’m sure there are lots of differences between my life and the woman living on the park bench. I know nothing about her life or how she ended up there. It could be a myriad of reasons. But, I do know one of the most likely reasons is because she has no money and no access to financial resources. Even though I haven’t been the smartest with my money over the past 41 years, I have realized the importance of having a good education so I can get a good job that will allow me to pay rent so I have a warm, cozy and safe place to come home to each night. It is frightening to think how easily that can change if you lose your job and don’t have the emergency savings that will allow you to survive until you find a new one.  

That’s why Project Money has been so important for me. Even though I’m smart enough to know that I have to save for a rainy day, I’ve just never taken the initiative or made the effort. And what I’ve learned is you only need to start with a little bit at a time. It’s amazing how much and how quickly it adds up when you commit to saving each month.

With the skills and advice I’ve received over the last seven months, and my desire and commitment to keep going, I’m more confident than ever that I will be as financially healthy as my resources will allow. It may not be as much as I’d like it to be. And others with more may think it’s nothing. But others with less will think it’s a lot. So, I will do my best. I will be satisfied with what I have. I will always strive to achieve more. I will save for that rainy day. And more importantly, I will give back what I can to those who have less than me. 

Thank you Summit Credit Union for this once in a lifetime opportunity.