Is Money Your Master or Your Servant?

So read the title of the current March 2009 Awake! magazine. Wow! What an eye opener. Being the "Denver Frugal Living Examiner" one would think that I was in perfect control of my finances, but, after reading this article I realized what a slave I actually have been. Who wants to admit that to the world? Not me. Quoting "Money Sickness Syndrome", by Dr. Roger Henderson the article continues...

Money may be your master if...

• You avoid discussing finances because of the anxiety it causes
• Money is often the subject of family squabbles
• You spend compulsively
• You worry constantly about bills
• You are not sure how much you earn
• You are not sure how much you spend
• You are not sure how much you owe
• Your bills are often bigger than what you expect
• You often pay your bills late
• You are able to make only the minimum payment on credit card bills
• You pay your bills with money earmarked for other things
• You take on extra work just to pay bills
• You have taken out new loans to pay off old ones
• You use savings to pay routine bills
• You find it nearly impossible to get to the end of the month without running out of money
• You feel pressure to accumulate large sums of money
• You suffer physical and or psychological symptoms resulting from money-related stress

We need money to survive in this world but how we control it is the key. So to summarize the article quoted above, the advice was:

Know what your income is, and spend less than you earn

• Save. Make saving a priority
• Budget. This is the only practical way to monitor, control, or reduce you spending. Know what you income is and spend less than you earn.

Learn the difference between needs and wants

• Plan. Carefully consider your future needs.
• Learn. Invest in yourself by acquiring skills and taking care of your physical and emotional health. These are investments that will pay you back.
• Balance. Keep money in its place. Survey after survey shows that those who care more about people than they do about money are happier. Beyond food, clothing, and shelter, how much does a person really need? "Having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things." (1 Tim. 6:8) Cultivating contentment prevents us from developing the love of money and all the problems that come along with it.

Then the article goes on to say that when money is managed properly, it can provide you with the freedom to pursue the more important things in life, such as a close bond with family, friends, and God.

It then gave the following advice to parents on teaching children to manage money:

• Be a good example.
• Set spending limits.
• Allow them to manage money.
• Teach them to share.

"Once above the poverty line," noted a thoughtful observer, "increases in income have surprisingly little relation to personal happiness." Early in the last century, a reporter had that lesson impressed upon him when interviewing Andrew Carnegie, a pioneer of the steel industry, who was then one of the richest men in the world. "I am not to be envied," Carnegie told him. "How can my wealth help me? I am sixty years old, and I cannot digest my food. I would give all my millions if I could have youth and health."

Another multimillionaire, oil magnate J. Paul Getty, later said in agreement: "Money doesn't necessarily have any connection with happiness. Maybe with unhappiness."

Perhaps these words of wisdom will sink in and help us to simplify our life now, so we won't have the regrets that these men had. Family happiness and peace of mind just simply cannot be overemphasized. Maybe it's not too late.

Rafael's Southwest Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is my brother's recipe and it is yummy! He is not only a great cook but also a painter. Please enjoy the slide show of a few of his works. The following is his recipe for Tortilla soup. His posole' is delicious as well and I will add that in a later article.

• 1 whole chicken deboned and shredded(for a quick dinner,purchase an already cooked chicken from your local market)
• 1 large box of chicken stock (or 1 qt. water and 2 bouillion cubes or homemade broth)
• 1/2 lb. diced carrots
• 4 stalks celery diced
• 1 large yellow onion diced
• 1 bunch cilantro diced
• 1 can black beans
• 1 Ro-Tel original tomatoes
• 2 small cans roasted green chile
• 1 small can of corn (optional)
• 3 Mission precooked tostada tortillas crunched up into pieces
• 2 white flour tortillas torn into pieces
• garlic powder, onion powder, salt to taste

First off, shred the chicken, then put aside. Saute all veggies in small amount of olive oil, when onions are translucent add all other ingredients except tortillas. Bring to a boil then turn down the heat to medium low and let simmer for twenty minutes. Then add the tortillas and let simmer for another ten minutes. Serve with garnish of diced spring onions, avocado, and shredded cheese (optional).

For more info: maremagee@gmail.com

You will love this millet recipe

What is millet? It is a grain commonly known as bird seed. However, it is not just for birds, it is a people food, chock full of nutrition. You can find it at most healthfood stores. I know that you will love this recipe! I was given permission from a very kind man (Blair Taylor of Longmont, Co., former owner of the Crimson Dragon Health Food Store) to publish this for all of you. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike will all love this healthy recipe. You will want to make it over and over again.

Ingredients:

• 1 C. millet (cooked in 3 C. water for 30 minutes or until water is absorbed, millet should be the consistency of mashed potatoes)
• Add 1/2 tsp. basil
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp.black pepper
• 3 finely chopped scallions
• 1 Tbsp. Bragg's Liquid Aminos
• 1/4 C. grated carrot; mix well
• Make 1"- 2" wide patties
• Lightly fry in 1Tbsp. ghee, 2-3 minutes on each side (I use olive oil when I don't have any ghee).
• Serves 4-6

That's it. Easy huh? These taste very similar to hash brown patties but are so nutritious, you will feel good about eating them.

The wonderful thing about millet is it is so nutritious and very affordable. Most people think of bird seed when they think of millet. But I can assure you, it is not just for birds.

I get mine at the health food store and keep it in the refrigerator for storage.

For more info: Check back for more vegetarian recipes. Look for tofu enchiladas