Karen’s Opinion

When I was using the restroom at the sporting goods store on Saturday, (I know, I know, I shouldn’t read the wall graffiti), I saw a message that is poignant. It said something like, don’t just dream about something, do something. Don’t say you are too old to do something. How old will you be five years from now when you look back and say, gee, I wish I’d become a nurse or whatever it is that is your dream? The wall graffiti was referring to running a marathon. Many of us think about running a marathon but never take that first step.

I happened upon a person who knew at a young age that they were going to be a worldwide traveler. It was in his blood. He did not know, at that age, how traveling would become his passion. He has been to many counties and sees each place to its fullest. He gets the training to scuba dive in the ocean, trains to climb the mountain and experiences the majestic scenery our world has to offer. Now, this world traveler, Ryan Kannett, is looking forward to a trip to New Zealand to see what it offers to satisfy his need for adventure.

That is what I am talking about. When I was in my twenties, I felt as if I had all the time in the world. Now, I am reaching fifty-five and I don’t want to look back with regrets. Life is too short so get out there and go for your dream.

I hope that I don’t come across as being all doom and gloom but each of our finances are something that must be looked at closely. Prices are going up on everything from lettuce to the price of gas. Whether you decide to start using coupons and start walking more, we all are trying to think of ways to cut our expenses. There is a website that can help your family see how financially fit you are. BillsIQ takes information you submit and evaluates your financial score. Don’t let this scare you. It is an easy process. By entering information, BillsIQ can help you see how fit your finances are. They don’t just leave you in limbo. They have suggestions to help you improve your financial score. They can help you figure out a budget and make a life plan. This website helps you understand what makes a good credit score and what you can do to make your score better. It gives great ideas for keeping your finances in tip top shape. Things like having a rainy day fund and writing out a budget are only two of the great ideas I saw while taking the survey. Going over the five sections of how finances are maintained BillsIQ got me thinking of ways I need to buckle down and do thinks I have put off. They ask if you have a will and if you know your credit score. They ask some things about your loans and whether you need to consider debt consolidation. They get you to think about your goals and if you will ever be able to retire. Take the survey and see how you come out. You will come away with an understanding of where you stand and be able to make changes if needed.