I am so glad that I started this blog. I have met so many people that are exactly like me when I was younger. I laugh about it now, but I always had a plan a, b, and c. This was reflected in my finances and work habits as well. I had an account to pay my bills, one to cover that account just in case my first account fell short, and money stashed away for a rainy day, just in case both accounts fell into the red. I had three jobs. My main job was as a state worker. My second job was working for my father as a independent contractor. My father always made sure that my brother and I had 3-4 clients each month. My third job was working for myself as a landlord, property owner, and eventually a insurance saleswoman. Recently, I had a little extra time. so I calculated all of the money in expenses for my past three accounts. It was close to $100,000 over a period of 4 years. I also separated the necessities from the others and realized that 75% could have been reinvested in appreciating assets. For example, the money that I was putting away for rainy days, could have bought enough antique pieces to furnish 2 period rooms with some left over to get a couple of raincoats and umbrellas. Its water under the bridge. I always told myself, that if I could help one person to not make the same mistakes I did, and to do better than me, then that is my blessing. It is important to remember that our creator has plans for us greater than we can imagine. We must keep are faith strong and move on.The following person that I am going to speak about is a composition of several people that we are close to, have worked with, or have attempted to help For the sake of this senario we will call him Joseph. Joseph was having trouble with finances. He was young with one little girl and another on the way. He and his wife were both employed. He was working a lot of overtime and spending little time with his family. We mapped out exactly what he needed to do to ensure a bright and secured future for his family. To begin, he needed to stop working overtime. The only one that benefits to overtime is the government. While your paycheck increases your tax refund decreases significantly. We gave Joseph a sterling picture worth $500, 2 paintings valued at $2500 and a coin silver tablespoon worth $20. Joseph also purchased a sterling silver Tiffany fork from us for $75, with a value of $275. Our instructions to him were to sell the items that we gave him, but DO NOT BUY FOOD WITH THE MONEY. Instead, we asked him to reinvest the money in more antiques to sell. We also suggested that he find an abandoned house to fix up, to either sell or live in. He already had the skill set from roofing to plumbing. Since he was only 18 we offered to help him as much as we could in getting the house. After losing contact with, and then reconnecting again with Joseph the next month, he told us that he did not have any money and that he and his wife had to move back home with his parents because he could not keep up with rental payments. Naturally our question was, what did you do with the items we gave you to sell. He said that he sold them to buy FOOD. Although he still had the fork, since he wanted to start collecting Tiffany, he no longer had the source of income since he quit his job. While Joseph received a small initial blessing, he missed the big one since he did not listen and take any of our suggestions. Even if he only did one thing that we suggested he would either have extra money or a house. His excuse was that he used the money for food, but if he did not have the items that we gave him, he would have still found a way to eat. He took the lazy way out. The money from the sold items was convenient and easily accessible. Now that is gone, and his situation is worse than it initially was, when he asked us to help him and his family.Your challenge for the week is to watch out for your blessing and act on it. For example if someone gives you $100, buy a piece of sterling silver, buy books on fine art and antiques, go to an antique auction or store. Just whatever you do, please do not buy food or any other depreciating item. Don't think about spending the funds. Only invest them. Thank-you for your continued support in reading this blog. Have a blessed and prosperous week.Shalom, Tamar
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