End 2008, Begin 2009
Posted on January 6, 2009
Filed Under Finances & the Economy, Money Merge Account program, Personal Finances, United First Financial |
First, my apologies to the readers of this www.MrsMoneyMerge.com blog for the length of time since my last post - I had major computer problems and we had to go to the “computer doctor” to get rid of the viruses. But, we’re all better now!
I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to say about the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, but then I found (with the help of a Twitter tweet) an article by Terry Savage, who is a nationally known expert on personal finance and a regular television commentator on CNN, CNBC, PBS and NBC, that I think best describes what I think and feel about where we’ve been and where we’re going, from a financial standpoint.
Ms. Savage starts out by stating “Let’s look back on 2008 without recriminations, and look forward to 2009 with only the resolve to face reality.” Normally, the part about “facing reality” makes me a little nervous because so many people’s perception of reality is tinged with a great deal of negativity, especially in the current economic climate.
But in her article Ms. Savage reviews both the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Panic of 1873. And, she draws some excellent conclusions:
“There is much to be learned from history, but perhaps the first lesson is that human nature does not change. Fear and greed push markets and people to extremes.
An equally valuable lesson from these depressions or financial panics of the past two centuries is that they could not deter America from rebounding and growing into another round of even greater prosperity.
In the depths of each one of these American financial collapses were the seeds of the next round of opportunity — for those who had saved a bit of cash and maintained an optimistic belief in the future.”
Click here to read the entire article by Terry Savage.
The message that I take from the author’s comments is that, during times of economic insecurity, we need to focus on putting our own financial house in order. For many of us, that means controlling our spending, reducing our debt and building up our savings.
The Money Merge Account program from United First Financial is a very viable vehicle for accomplishing these goals with little to no change to our current lifestyle. Virtually anyone who has a mortgage (or multiple mortgages), credit card debt, student loans, auto loans, personal loans or any other type of consumer debt can use the Money Merge Account program to leverage their income to pay off all of their debts, manage their personal finances and build up their savings account balances.
Let’s face it - it’s not always easy to “tighten our belts” and consistently work toward achieving our financial goals. The Money Merge Account program provides a road map to financial security and freedom from debt, and acts as a GPS system for personal finances. If we make a wrong turn (ie: a bad financial decision) the program helps us get back on track to reach our destination (zero debt) in the quickest way possible, significantly reducing the amount of interest that we pay to our creditors (and allowing us to keep that money in our own pocket or savings account!).
Ms. Savage concludes her article by saying “But my firm belief — also based on history — is that America, and Americans, will make it through this current pain, and will survive and prosper. That’s the real lesson of history.”
It is my certain belief that those Americans (and Canadians) who have the foresight to use the most advanced tools, namely the Money Merge Account program, to get their personal finances in order and under control will weather this current financial storm, as well as what is still to come, much better than those who will try to struggle through on their own.
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2 Responses to “End 2008, Begin 2009”
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Mrs. M, enjoyed your post and agree that we need to remember how much adversity we as Americans have overcome in the past and move forward with resolve. Great post, website, and I really like your blog theme. All the best.
Thanks for the encouraging article. We as a nation do need to make changes and get out of debt. Although tightening our belts is not easy, it is easier with a little guidance. Thanks for the direction and information.