Good financial habits start with an effort. Have you started saving anything? A dollar a week, a quarter a week, anything?

I know some people lost their job because of the COVID-19 pandemic and things are a little tight for you. The price of gas and of food have been moving up over the last year, however, we must still eat and if we drive a vehicle, we must continue to drive. We must take a few minutes to review our family plan and determine what changes we can make that would result in a little funds left over at the end of the week or month. I want you to set up a plan for how you will get through the next downturn. Times might not get better for everyone over the next few months, but I pray that they do.

This is the time that we take control of our finances. For those of you that created a plan, stick to it. If you saved $5.00 per week for the first half of the year, you would have $130.00. That is a start. If you saved $10.00 a week that would be $260.00 for six months. Keep it going.

I want to encourage you to either begin a savings plan or start one from July – December. It is a habit that would make your life better. The goal is to eventually have enough savings to cover your monthly bills for six months.

More than three-fourths of Americans don't have enough money saved to pay their bills for six months, according to survey results released by Bankrate. Half of the survey respondents said they had less than three months' worth of expenses saved up, and more than one-quarter have no reserves to draw on in case of emergency. Have you prepared a budget to know how much money you spend/need each month?

Taking control of your finances is a way of taking charge of your life. We MUST make financial decisions for our future, today. Get your family involved in the saving plan too. It is a good family habit to develop.

Good luck.