Principles in Action #2 : Accountability and Friends Can Save Your Finances

Posted on October 12, 2007

This is the second post in the principles in action series that will illuminate a practical application of a positive life principal. The first in the series addressed treating others like they have value.

The advertisement @ the Clever Dude was about the 100th time I had been bombarded with the free $250 for opening an American Express Business Rewards Gold Card offer, and I was finally ready to give in and get the money. I usually stay away from signing up for credit card schemes or opening a new savings account at every bank with a good intro offer. I just don’t think these schemes are usually worth the stress, effort, hassle, and most importantly they rob my attention from tasks that I deem more valuable to our overall health and wealth. That offer didn’t fit into our financial plan when we were getting out of debt and still doesn’t, but my resolve was finally beaten down past the point I could handle.

Over dinner I mentioned the offer to The Happy Rockette and asked her opinion. She politely said, don’t worry about it. It wasn’t our style, and her resolve wasn’t waning. She knew our plan and our values, and this wasn’t part of it. Two seconds after hearing that, I snapped back to reality and said ‘you’re right, what was I thinking’. The blinders had lifted, and I was back on track.

The principle here is to involve yourself with people in your life who will keep you accountable. People who will gracefully smack you around, and say you are being silly when they know you have lost your way. During the long haul of climbing out of debt, this is an utter necessity. You will lose focus and self control. At some point life will undoubtedly give you more than you can handle. The trick is to admit ahead of time and plan for it. Start building that support network now.

» Filed Under Accountability, Credit Cards, Debt Elimination, Friends, Marriage, Principles In Action

Principles In Action #1 : Treat Others Like They Have Value

Posted on August 8, 2007

This is the first in a recurring series of posts called “Principles in Action”. The idea is to show positive life principles at work in my life and in the lives of others. The story will illuminate a practical application of a positive life principle and the effect of that principle in action. I welcome any readers to email me(use the contact page) with principle in action stories. If the reader wants and it ties into the theme of The Happy Rock, I will post it to the community so we all can learn and grow.

Treat Others Like They Have Value

Last Monday I was at the check out line of our local Wegman’s grocery store. When the 19 year old check girl asked the normal ‘How are you?’, I decided to actually answer the question rather than mumble something non committal and go about my business. Being the introvert that I am, I often rush through the check out line focused on my life and trying to avoid eye contact as much as possible.

This particular day I shared how my wife and I were packing to leave for a family camping trip to upstate Pennsylvania. As a side note, I often mention my wife and family quickly in the conversation; mostly because I love them and like to talk about them, but also to relieve the male-female tension that can often arise. I think it helped this young girl feel more comfortable, and she opened up about how she had recently returned from vacation with her family in Virginia. We both seemed to enjoy our little conversation, and checking out went by quickly. I, of course, paid cash.

I left feeling positive, and I hope she left feeling valued as a person and as a check out clerk. I didn’t really think anything of it, until I was almost out of the door and the cashier came running after me. I had forgotten a paid for $5 bag of organic grapes. I thanked her, and she ran back to the check out counter.

My question is this: had I not treated her with value, does she run after me? Maybe, maybe not, though I wouldn’t have been surprised if she would have waited for me to come back. I wouldn’t have remembered until I got home and would have lost the $5 for the grapes. What do you think?

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