DOLLARS AND SENSE

WHO IS GOING TO FIX YOUR MESS?

by Joe Plemon 

              With the inauguration of President Barack Obama our nation has a new energy and a new hope.  His confidence is contagious and we, as a nation, are starting to believe that maybe we can pull ourselves out of this economic quagmire.  I personally am praying for our new president and I wish him every success as he leads our nation.

              But a word of caution:  he is not going to fix your personal finance mess.  No president can.  George Bush didn’t fix your mess.  Bill Clinton didn’t fix your mess.  And Barack Obama is not going to fix your mess.  It has always been up to you to take personal responsibility and it will always be up to you.  If you are going to have a turnaround in your personal finances, you are going to have to look in the mirror and take inventory and change what needs to be changed.  This is why personal finance is called personal.  You are personally responsible.

              Can government help?  Certainly.  Decisions made in Washington affect us all.  I pray for solid economical policy from our new administration.  But if any of us thinks we can idly wait for a personal government bailout, we are going to be waiting a long time.  If we are going to get out of debt, it will be because we changed our spending habits and got focused on paying off debt.  If we are going to have a solid emergency fund, it will be because we have a plan and carry out that plan.  If we are going to have retirement with dignity, it will be because we worked hard and sacrificed and made retirement investing a priority.

            Presidents and administrations come and go.  Some are better than others.  But our financial standing five years from now or ten years from now or twenty years from now is going to be based 100% on our own actions.  Where will you be?  It is up to you.