We need to produce more energy at home. There are two reasons we aren’t doing that today. The first reason is the cost of R&D. The U.S. has a lot of shale oil, but it’s expensive to extract. However, with the prices of oil on the global market today, it’s getting to the point where the return will justify the investment. The other reason we aren’t producing more energy is counterproductive regulations and endless litigation brought about by environmental groups.

There may be enormous reserves of oil in ANWR, but we need to do exploratory drilling to find out where they are and assess how much oil there is. Environmentalists have stymied any attempt to do that, because it might disturb the polar bears. Other countries are taking full advantage of off-shore drilling but our government won’t permit that, because it might disturb the rich and powerful environmental lobbies that help our legislators get reelected.

The environmentalists claim they oppose drilling for oil because they favor alternative energy sources that are cleaner and safer for the environment. But it turns out that the greatest opposition to alternative energy production comes from environmental groups!

Wind power is about as clean as you can get. Environmentalists used to promote it but, once massive wind farms became a reality, environmentalist groups all over the country sprang up with injunctions and litigation to shut them down because of their impact on birds, bats, and even ground squirrels.

Hydroelectric power is another source of clean energy that environmentalists used to tout. But now they want to blow up dams, and have successfully lobbied and litigated to have dams removed, at tremendous taxpayer expense, because of their impact on fish habitats.

Natural gas burns cleaner, with lower emissions than petroleum products, and even the Sierra Club initially came out in favor of it. Yet, all over the country, wherever drilling for natural gas is undertaken, or a natural gas pipeline is proposed to be built, environmentalists rear up in litigation because of speculation about the potential harmful consequences of potential leaks.

Geothermal power is an interesting concept, because it’s clean and safe and permanent. It doesn’t vary with the weather, and it can never be depleted. Yet, the Sierra Club’s Juniper Group is litigating to prevent an exploratory project for development of a geothermal plant on a 5-acre parcel outside Oregon’s Newberry Crater, which is one of the most promising geothermal resources in the world. There is no specific threat to the environment or habitat of any particular species. They’re just concerned that having the project so close to a national monument might have a potential impact on forests or wildlife.

There are many more examples of environmentalists opposing alternative energy. But what does it all mean? They tout alternative energy until it starts to become a reality, and then they start backpedaling and litigating to thwart it. Is it just because they can’t accept the idea that any kind of energy production will necessarily entail environmental tradeoffs? (See What Have Progressives Got Against Progress?) Or is there some other agenda that motivates them to try to block every avenue of energy independence? I believe many of them are simply naive, and haven’t thought it through. But the consequences of their good intentions affect us all.

About the Author

NotYourDaddy is a conservative libertarian who believes in free will and the free market. NYD thinks the role of the government is to protect the rights and liberties of its citizens. Stop there.

NYD’s attitude toward ever-expanding government can best be summed up by snarling “Get your hand out of my pocket and leave me alone!”

Visit NotYourDaddy’s blog at Government is Not Your Daddy.

Democracy is not simple. It is complex. And it is not easy. It is hard. It demands from us all that we have to give, and asks us, at the very least, to become responsible citizens who maintain an involvement with both the principles and policies that govern us.

Democracy asks us to not abandon our individual or collective awareness and voice - not for ourselves, and not on behalf of those whose voices have become diminished or who no longer feel they have a voice. It asks us to use this voice and this awareness not to shout, but to speak for the truth as we see it, to reflect upon this truth, and to offer it up as we speak, and vote, and as we take a stand for what we believe in. In this way, we create and ensure a government that represents the best interests of the governed.

All this is the ideal that democracy strives for. And yet it is not what we see in practice. Not by a long shot. Instead of widespread citizen involvement of a judicious and thoughtful kind, we often see anger, fear, projection, and sometimes fanaticism. Instead of voting with conscientiousness, employing our capacity to reflect, compare, and analyze, we often vote with our emotions or the emotions that are being activated within us in the course of a campaign.

We cannot be manipulated by emotions, whether presented by candidates, campaign ads, news media, or television personalities if we do not allow ourselves to be. We cannot be reduced to less than what we are capable of unless we allow ourselves to be. And yet, this is often what we do. We take the easier way rather than the harder. We let an external shaping of opinion such as that of negative campaigning define our emotions and create our state of feeling. We begin to identify with the innuendo, accusation, and fear-currents that surround us, so that we lose sight of what is true in favor of what sounds true while not begin so. We come to believe that the feelings that we have are natural and inevitable, even when they come from portrayals and strategies that mix half-truths with truth. In many cases, we have difficulty maintaining the ‘high ground’ of forming our own opinions, when the ‘low ground’ of negative campaigning, advertising, and criticism is so prevalent.

No, democracy is not easy. It is much easier to feel and to operate out of instinct and unconscious emotion, than to think and evaluate with a consciousness of choice.

We, as a national consciousness, are offered negative advertising and campaigning because it feeds the lowest common denominator among us that forms the basis of our perceptions - that of unconscious reflex which seeks to avoid fear and danger and to seek safety and security. Such campaigning paints the world in terms of fearful outcomes that have to do with the ‘other’, and encourages us to choose between fear and not-fear when we determine who to vote for. We are reduced to a very basic, even primitive level of feeling - that of the desire for survival both physically and economically - and this fundamental level, because of its importance to our overall sense of wellbeing, drowns out other considerations that may paint the world in softer shades of gray.

To remedy this situation, we must become responsible citizens - responsible for the content of our own consciousness. And we must learn how to recognize information and perspective that comes to us riding on currents of fear, and information that comes to us in more objective terms. Our voice and our awareness are precious gifts that we hold with which to construct a life that supports us. We cannot afford to sacrifice these to the methods and modes of the time we are in, not if we wish to create a new kind of government that is truly accountable to each and every citizen.

The world is capable of changing if we are ready for change, and campaigns are ready to become something different in tone if we are ready for that as well. To achieve this end, we must wake up and learn to listen, to reflect, to become more confident in our ability to see what we see, and to know what we know. When each of us is able to make the choice for consciousness, becoming firmer in our own center of truth and judgment, then we shall finally be ready for a democracy that truly represents what America is meant to be, and we shall be able to share this gift with the rest of the world as well.

About the Author

Julie Redstone is a teacher, writer, and founder of Light Omega, a center for spiritual teaching and healing whose purpose it is to create an understanding of the sacred transition into light that the Earth is presently going through. For more about the spiritual roots of democracy in America, see www.lightamericaspirit.org.

Unfortunately, we often see the hate and it gets reported in the mass media far more than all the good things and all the love. Have you ever considered all the different types of unnecessary hate in the world?

Have you ever wondered why people of one race hate another or what one culture or religion has hated another for 10 generations or more? Well, let us consider this for a moment.

First, we are all related to each other, that is to say we are all descendants of the same folks, we share genes. So, if you hate someone of another religion, political persuasion, culture or religion then in reality you actually hate a piece of yourself.

Indeed you can deny this all you want or give any rational you think relevant, but denial is just close mindedness as to the reality. You share genes, so if you hate another, you hate a part of yourself. So, I have this piece of advice for you today.

Look in your mirror and tell me what piece of yourself do you hate? Next, try to cut it out and tell me how that feels, it hurts doesn’t it. So, let me ask you something; why do you hate yourself so much? Make peace from within and all will be well again.

“Lance Winslow” - Online [http://www.bloggingcontent.net/]Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow http://EzineArticles.com/?Cremate-Hate-in-2008—Burn-Those-Evil-Thoughts&id=1445595

Your credit reports are maintained by various credit bureaus. The three largest and most famous credit bureaus are Transunion, Equifax and Experian.

Unlike a locked drawer in your home or office, however, the only thing someone needs to obtain your credit report from a credit bureau is an account with that bureau. Thus, anyone with an account has access to your credit report, whether or not you have given them permission to access it.

Examples abound where businesses have accessed credit reports wrongfully, without permission and without a proper purpose. I have heard of insurance industry law firms and insurance companies pulling credit reports for personal injury plaintiffs to find out if they’re financially strapped, and thus more likely to accept an insufficient settlement offer. Some unscrupulous companies pull credit reports to find out if you qualify for a loan they are offering, before they have even contacted you about the loan. Some pull it for less savory purposes yet, such as to determine where you shop and spend your money. These are all improper purposes for accessing someone’s private credit report.

All of this information is private and legally is supposed to remain private unless one of two things happens:

1. You give someone permission to pull your credit report, or,

2. The person pulling your credit report has a permissible purpose for pulling it.

There are very few permissible purposes. The law is really your only safeguard against unscrupulous persons pulling your credit report for improper purposes.

Examples of Giving Someone Permission to Pull Your Credit Report

Whenever you apply for a loan or a credit card, you normally sign a form which gives the prospective creditor permission to pull your credit report. This is the usual manner in which credit card companies, car dealerships and lenders access your credit report.

Beware, however, that some companies forge consumer signatures on forms to gain permission when they don’t have the consumer’s legitimate permission to pull your credit report. Thus, telemarketers cannot pull your credit report without your permission even if they are trying to sell you a loan. Car dealerships do not have permission to pull your credit report simply because you walk onto their lot to look at a few cars. If you pull your credit report and you find instances where companies have pulled your credit report without your permission, suspect that they may have done so by forging your signature. This happens more often than most consumers realize.

Examples of Permissible Purposes for Pulling Your Credit Report

There are very few: in response to a court order, in connection with an employment application and when a consumer actually applies for credit or insurance.

If you do not initiate the transaction, then a credit card company may only pull your credit report if they are making you a “firm offer of credit,” which is definitely quite a bit more than those endless letters from credit card companies telling us that we’ve been “Pre-Approved”, but we have to fill out an application anyway.

Persons or companies who pull your credit report must certify that they are pulling it for a permissible purpose. If a company pulls your credit report for a permissible purpose and then uses it for an impermissible purpose, then that company has violated your rights and the law. Companies may only pull and use your report for a permissible purpose.

In general, you need to pull your credit report and inquire into any credit entry for a credit card company, a finance company or an insurance company you do not recognize. It may well turn out that some company has pulled your credit report without your permission and without a permissible purpose.

How Do I Find Out if Someone Has Pulled My Credit Report Without A Permissible Purpose?

Pull your credit report from the three major credit reporting bureaus. They often share information among themselves, so negative credit entries to one bureau frequently find their way onto your credit reports with the other two bureaus.

If you see entries on your credit report concerning companies pulling your report without your permission, or companies you do not recognize, then you should inquire further as to whether someone has improperly accessed your credit report.

The answer, unfortunately, may well be a yes.

Why is Impermissible Access to One’s Credit Report Harmful?

Apart from being an invasion of your privacy, credit “pulls” actually lower your credit score. Someone who pulls your credit report without permission and without a legitimate purpose directly harms you by affecting your credit score.

What are My Remedies If I Discover that Someone Has Wrongfully Pulled My Credit Report?

If you have any questions or doubts, first contact the company which pulled your credit report and ask them, in writing, why their company name appears on your credit report. Sometimes there is an innocent explanation, but don’t be surprised if you get the run-around or if it turns out that this company did not have any permissible purpose when they pulled your credit report.

If you do find out that there has been an impermissible pull of your report, or if you just cannot get good answers to your questions, then see a lawyer. You are entitled to a penalty per violation of your right to financial privacy, even if you do not directly suffer damage as a consequence of the improper pull. There is also the potential of punitive damages, as well as any out-of-pocket losses you have suffered. The statute also provides that the person who improperly pulled your credit report must pay for your attorney’s fees, so these cases are frequently affordable even to consumers who cannot otherwise afford an attorney.

About the Author

Robert F. Brennan, Esq. is a principal with Brennan, Wiener & Associates, an AV-rated law firm in La Crescenta, CA.  His firm specializes in consumer protection litigation, including wrongful credit damage and abusive debt collection.  He can be reached at: http://socalcreditdamage.com

The reason self talk is so powerful is because it causes four potent and complimentary effects on us and because each serves to strengthen the others, their power in total is even stronger than their parts.

Firstly self-talk instructs our subconscious. Self-talk is habitual, and without determined effort, or a dramatic change in circumstances, the quality and content of our self-talk does not vary much. Over time this makes its effect on us especially strong because we are constantly reinforcing the same messages to our subconscious about ourselves whether they are credible or not. The subconscious is not discriminatory in its nature. It accepts what it is given as fact and drives us to act in ways that make what we have told it real. Mostly it does this in ways we can’t easily identify. This is why affirmations and creative visualisations can be such powerful aids in eliciting change, if they are used consistently overtime, because the subconscious mind cannot differentiate between reality and fantasy, it treats all information it receives as true.

The second cause is belief. The more we repeat something to ourselves, the more it gets anchored into our psyche and sooner or later we begin to believe it. It becomes a belief and belief is one of the most potent motivators known to man. Behind all great accomplishments lies belief. All great ‘magicians’ know that without belief, there is no magic. Belief is magic and appears to literally cause things into existence.

Thirdly, the nature of our self-talk produces distinct brainwave activity. Each thought we have can be correlated to a brainwave state that either works to our betterment or to our detriment. For example, happy, contented thoughts cause slower brainwaves than unhappy, stressed thoughts and the effects of this are twofold. All brainwaves cause different electrochemical reactions in the brain, which in turn affect the body and the mental state. In the instance of negative self talk where we are upset with ourselves the chemical response might be to release more cortisol into our blood stream, this is a degenerative, ageing hormone. Similarly, the electro, energetic vibration we would be emitting would be unsettling, disturbed.

Each and everyone of us have an energy field surrounding us and this field is directly affected by how we are feeling and thinking. In turn the quality of our energy field also has an effect on how the world responds to us. We have all had experiences where we have had a strong reaction to someone either positively or negatively but do not know why. The chances are high that it had something to do with their energy field. Another example of this is when we have been feeling so good ‘high’ within ourselves that it is as if people want to be around us like bees to their honey. They were responding to our energy field.

And fourthly self-talk is an incessant, albeit inadvertent, affirming of intention. In the ever-expanding field of consciousness, more and more is being understood about intention. Intention is simply a: goal, desire, prayer, request … something we want to have happen. But what is most important to understand is that intentions that are held consistently are most likely to be realised because they cause effect in the greater cosmic unconscious or consciousness, and what is also being realised is that like the subconscious mind the greater cosmic unconscious or consciousness is not biased towards only good intentions. It responds regardless.

In effect the world, the greater cosmos and ourselves is responding to our self-talk all the time, but it is only now, through science that are we waking up to the fact. And the fact is self-talk is the dictator of our lives; but the beauty is, the magic is: each and everyone of us has the ability to self-talk ourselves to a new life, to the life we want and deserve. All we need to do is write a new script for ourselves and stick to it.

For more information on this subject and how to change your self talk please visit: Thought Power

This article may be reprinted with the author’s name and website http://www.positivemindstates.com intact. Thank You.

About the Author

I have spent many years in the study of personal development. Diagnosed with leaukemia 11 years ago. I used the power of meditation, autosuggestion and visualization to heal myself. I knew I could do this because I realised it was the way I was using my mind in the first place that made me ill.

An article in Discover magazine on how we recognize faces said that we have such powerful brain “circuitry” for facial expressions that we insist on seeing faces where there are none - in clouds or in the wallpaper pattern. Non-verbal communication takes place whether you think it is important or not.

There are underlying, unconscious mechanisms in our brains that insist on evaluating everything about what the person is doing; not just what they are saying. And we judge the other whether they say anything or not. How often have you thought, “That person has a bad attitude,” or something similar just by observing them?

2. What constitutes non-verbal communication? Is it body language?

Non-verbal communication is everything except your words. It includes body language (which by itself includes facial expression and body attitude) but also includes many other factors such as object language (driving a BMW says something, wearing torn jeans and a dirty sweatshirt says something). All of us have looked at someone standing across the room and thought, “Man, what an attitude.” That constitutes non-verbal communication.

3. I think body language is overrated as a way of understanding someone. Why is it important?

Close your eyes and hold a conversation with someone. See if your level of understanding is hampered in any way. Remember phone conversations where you weren’t sure where the person was coming from. And remember, as well that body language is just one component of non-verbal communication. So while body language is not a complete method of understanding someone else, it is a key factor.

4. How can I use non-verbal communication to improve how others perceive and understand me?

Remember that our listeners process non-verbal cues automatically and almost unconsciously. Use gestures and facial expressions to reinforce what you’re saying. Be aware that you are sending out non-verbal messages all the time. Become more self-aware of how you speak and the impact of your mode of dress and even the way you stand or sit. Increased self-awareness (without becoming self-conscious) and using non-verbal cues on purpose are probably the best ways to improve your non-verbal impact on others.

Copyright 2008 Hal Warfield

About the Author

Hal Warfield is a speaker, teacher and coach. Write him at warfieldh@gmail.com. Or read additional self-development and business articles at http://www.introvert.cc and http://www.halwarfield.com. Hal is also VP of Business Development at Market Strategy where he specializes in business development strategies for small businesses.

Before the sage could respond, a second question was fired off by a lady named In. In wanted to discover how she could motivate others to do great things with their lives.

Once again, before the sage could answer, another question was asked by the oldest man in the village, whose name was Ex. “I can’t seem to stop thinking about death and dyeing; what advice do you have for me, Sir?” he asked.

The sage sat quietly, pondering the three questions put to him. Finally he spoke, “There is a connection between these three questions. The three of you are the answer to each other’s question. Mr. As, Lady In, and the oldest village member, Ex are the beginning of each person’s contribution.” As, In and Ex could only look at one another with a mixture of wonder and confusion. As spoke up and asked the sage for further clarification.

“It is quite simple, you see,” said the sage. “To answer your question Mr. As, ‘What to do with my life,’ I say you need to rephrase the question to say, ‘what do I want to as-pire to be? And Lady In, regarding your question about how to motivate others, I say rephrase your question to how can I in-spire others to greatness. And to Ex, I say rephrase the question to say; what do I need to do before I ex-pire.”

They all reflected upon what the sage had said and Lady In commented that his wisdom had been quite helpful and accurate, too, it seemed. “But, Sir, I don’t understand how we are the answer to each other’s questions, as you put it.”

The sage responded with a smile, “The secret answer to all three questions is this-Aspire to Inspire before you Expire.”

Successful entrepreneur, V.P. Mosser is the creator of the Learn the Lessons Series, the Life’s Journey publication and numerous thought provoking articles. To learn more and receive free chapters or issues, visit http://www.learnthelessons.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=V._P._Mosser http://EzineArticles.com/?As,-In-and-Ex&id=1429975

In our search to grow spiritually we encounter many fictionalized stories and beliefs that are being passed off as truth. Real spiritual teachers will move you to better understanding of spiritual principles that will free you not bind you.

If a prophet says to you, I have great news or I can help you find what you are searching for, but it will cost you so much money, run the other way. All spiritual secrets are never veiled. There is no need to prove or disprove a spiritual truth as it stand on its own, it is transparent.

Let us take an example of manifesting miracles. That which is miraculous is not bounded by some sort of mystical chanting or ritualistic acts. Miracles happen every day. When the universal conditions are in alignment, when an intention and devotion is strong enough, then it triggers the potential to bring about the actualization for that individual.

When people are healed it is only due to their faith and belief that the healing can occur. Those who dispense “healing” may in fact trigger a deeper devotion or belief in that person, but unless the spirit is moved no healing can occur. Most blessings, miracles or favor is based on faith and being in a receptive state for the blessing to occur. Notice I said you must be in a receptive state you can not purchase “favor” or “blessings” through artificial means.

There are many charlatans out there that would lead you to believe that they have some mystical power. Of course they have what I call programming abilities in that there is a recurring theme almost like a chant. They repeat these themes over and over again to indoctrinate or brainwash you into believing that they have some sort of power.

When Indoctrination and training comes into the picture one has to be aware of where it is taking you. Remember people one time believed that the earth was flat also that we were the center of the universe and everything revolved around us. People can be 100% wrong, that’s why awareness is a key to following any spiritual teacher or prophet.

Remember that catchy titles such as the secrets of the masters, secret chants of success, secrets to great wealth, are merely marketing ploys to separate you from your money. If these people knew that secret then why would they even be selling it? They should be giving it away. Of course the argument would be that how would they make a living? Spiritual Truth does not need to be sold or defended. It is given freely without any strings attached.

What seems to be really popular is sowing seeds. They have taken the biblical parable of The Sower and converted it to a financial transaction. Funny, that parable did not address money. Further on in the bible verses it is explained as receiving the Word and keeping it in your heart no matter what. By keeping in your heart that which is written, you will bear fruit.

You can not buy your way in, nor will a true spiritual prophet or spiritual teacher ever tell you to give large sums of money into their ministry so that you can be blessed. It is not that the ministry doesn’t have needs, they most likely do. Yet, sometimes I am troubled about the transparency of that ministry. What bothers me more is that this “truth” is being used as a “buy now” into favor and blessings.

I find that most people around the world are extremely generous by nature. Billions of dollars are sent to people that are suffering through the ministries every year.

The intention is to help others not as fortunate than you. If the intention is to get “something” back, that is not going to trigger anything, since faith and devotion may not be present. One then may be acting out of greed or some entitlement that is artificial and not really coming from the spirit of giving.

When the appeal comes to giving all you have to some ministry for the “benefit” that you will receive that is simply appealing to your faith or greed. That is the choice that is presented you. Again you have to watch the recurring themes.

If you have faith, you don’t have to defend it or persuade anyone that you have it. Right or wrong spiritual truth just is. It does not have to be purchased, it is given freely and it does not bind you to contractual agreements. Let others have there own opinions if your faith is strong it will hold.

Spiritual truth is found within, not outside of oneself. The ego is the only thing that seeks the truth from other forms or functions outside oneself. One has to find ways to discern the ego from their own spirit.

About the Author

John Tebar Certified Life Coach, Author and Entrepreneur sign up for weekly Ezine and future events at http://holisticlifeplanningandresearch.com

People shudder at the thought of mind control because they live under the belief that there is a “free will”. They are scared to think that they don’t have control. Yet the truth is we never have complete control.

Being the beasties that we are we’ve lived, died and evolved based on what gives us the most control. Control is important, vital to our survival, self image and self esteem. But, in many cases control is an illusion.

There are levels to how much control we do have and the things within our control. And while we don’t have control in many areas we will often deny that fact with a passion.

Being able to Control our own thoughts and emotions is one of the most difficult things anyone can do. But those individuals who know how people respond and react use that knowledge to control and manipulate us all the time. That’s why advertising is such a big industry.

While mind control may be an unpleasant fact it isn’t “bad” because as human beings wanting control we will resort to anything that gives themselves an advantage.

One factor in our evolution is determined by how much more in control we become. Perhaps the next level of evolution is to know that we can be controlled and are always under some subtle influence without our knowing.

How would we begin to evolve if instead of fighting the fact that we are subject to mind control we accepted it? This would be the difference between working to understand our limitations and denying them.

This is a fundamental difference between me and the PCT (Paranoid Conspiracy Theorists). For me that we are subject to mind control creates awe, not fear.

To make a personal evolution of sorts, the only thing you can do is know that people are using mind control on us all the time and try to be aware of it. We should also be aware that most of the mind control is so well executed it will likely pass right by us without even a warning.

On an individual level we should also use what we know of mind control to your advantage. This means making an effort to understand human psychology and our own personal psychology. Only then can we truly evolve beneath the omnipresent specter of mind control.

JK Ellis is a researcher and author on the field of mind control. He proposes that in itself mind control is neither good nor evil but a that can and should be used for self improvement. His books include “Perfected Mind Control”, “Mind Control 101″ and “The Forbidden Book Of Getting What You Want”. His latest book will be “Mind Control Language Patterns”.

Article Source: http://www.abcarticledirectory.com

How Most People Spend

What most people don’t factor into the process of spending money is the emotional aspect of this action. Often people make purchases because they have been influenced and persuaded by advertising and other subtle but effective types of manipulation. Marketing experts, for example are masters of psychological manipulation, which is why advertisements always show happy, beautiful people using specific consumer goods to attain their state of well-being.

Our Parents Influence

Most of us have feelings that are both positive and negative about spending our hard-earned dollars. Many of our perceptions about spending, saving, and even earning money, come from learned experiences we received during our formative years. Our parents’ behaviors with money were often our first exposure to the process. If they budgeted, coupon clipped, saved and lived within their means, we probably will too. If earning a six figure income was a focal point, or living pay check to pay check played a big role in daily life; those memories had an influence on us, as well. Studies suggest that a large part of our emotional ties to money are directly correlated with our acceptance or rejection of our parents’ financial decisions.

Money Personalities

Money personalities vary greatly. Compulsive shopping, gambling and over-spending consumers usually end up with large credit card debt. The other end of the personality spectrum includes people who live frugally because they fear poverty. This fear keeps them from spending to the degree that they deny themselves things that they need for a better quality of life. Others try to avoid money issues by refusing to focus on how they spend or why. Often, busy people who make a good income don’t manage their money well because they lack the time to do so. All of these people miss the opportunities to put their money to work for them, even if it just means moving it to a different account to get a higher interest rate.

Thinking about Why We Spend

It is very important, now more than ever in this sluggish economy, to start thinking about how and why we spend money and how to get the most for every dollar we spend. The all important bottom line is preserving financial solvency. Knowing why we spend will help us manage our money more wisely.

Five Steps to Managing Money

1) Track where money is being spent and the amount 2) Set specific long term goals for your money 3) Pay cash, or use your debit card 4) Think before you buy to curb Impulse Shopping 5) Prepare for periods of unemployment by putting aside savings and purchasing Disability Insurance, and Death Benefit Insurance for yourself and your family.

If we decide to focus on where the money is going, and why, and put a plan in place in case our earning potential is lost, either temporarily or long term, we will be smart money managers and not victims of our own emotional spending.

About the Author

Find peace and live happy with proper money management skills. FromAtoZen.com is a daily resource that provides you with wise ideas on how to live life simplify and happily.