The Mismatched Shoes

Can you tell what is wrong with this picture? Take another look. I actually spent a whole day dressed like this. I know, that little voice in your head is saying, “Couldn't she feel how different the boots are?” “I can’t believe she went out of the house like that!” “She is really a mess”

I had those same thoughts about myself and many more and I wanted to share my story with you; maybe it will give you a good laugh!

I have an early morning networking meeting that I attend each week, called BNI (Business Networking International). This particular morning I asked my girls to help me determine which boot would look best with my skirt. They both agreed that the brown boot accentuated the total look of my outfit.

As I headed back to my room to change boots I was distracted by one of my children’s needs. I never made it back to put the correct boot on and off I went to my meeting; not noticing the discrepancy (to put it mildly) until half way through my meeting.

I happen to be the education coordinator for this networking group and was sharing this particular morning how vital it is to turn unforeseen events into extraordinary opportunities and unexpected gifts. THIS was the turning point for me; I had to walk my talk!

Of course, my friend took it as a spontaneous opening to totally humiliate me. I thought about returning home to change my shoes (and climb in under the covers and never come out); but I would have had to cancel a client to do so. I could have called my mother to go get my boots but that would have taken an hour out of her day. So, I decided to just deal with it .

Here’s what I learned from this funny, humiliating and honest mistake.

• I choose to take myself lightly and “make everyone’s day’
• I really can handle humiliation and I didn't die
• Others got to feel better about their mistakes (of course they had never done anything like that before)
• I really can walk my talk!

I hope the next time you are considering taking a risk, want to try something new or you just totally blow it; remember me and my mismatched boots! If I can survive so can you!

If you want to share your crazy, humiliating, fun and outrageous mistakes click below to do so!!

Rich Mom, Poor Mom

by Candace Bahr, CEA, CDFA and Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP®, CDFA

We inherit many things from our mothers. Mom our first source of nourishment, love, and security, and she’s also a role model for many of the values and beliefs that shape our lives. Knowingly or not, Moms influence their children’s feelings about money, abundance, and prosperity—their sense of whether the glass of life is half-empty or half-full. What can a mother to do to give her kids a healthy, happy relationship with money?

First, it helps to get back in touch with your own early memories of how you learned about money yourself. What money issues did you experience growing up? If you spent any time shopping with Mom, you probably know whether she was a hoarder, an avoider, or a splurger. Mom the hoarder was always worried about money and felt certain that there would never be enough to keep the wolves from the door.

Whenever you asked for something, Mom couldn’t afford it—period. Mom the avoider didn’t want to think about money or talk about money matters. Maybe she felt it was beneath her or maybe she was just plain afraid of the whole subject. What about Mom the splurger? You might have enjoyed her willingness to buy anything and everything—until Dad got home and took a look at the bills!

Once you understand the money feelings that affected your childhood, you can make a fresh start in helping your own kids develop confident and comfortable money sense. It’s often said that a mother is her child’s best teacher. And the best teachers learn along with their students. Helping your kids learn to use money wisely can be educational and empowering for you, too. Here are some ideas:

1.Give kids a sense of well-being and a hopeful outlook. There’s plenty for everyone. Don’t worry, be happy. Be a grateful Mom who teaches appreciation for life’s abundant blessings.

2.Talk openly and honestly with your kids about money. Financial matters are part of the business of life that everyone can learn about and practice with confidence. There’s nothing to be afraid of or embarrassed about.

3.Show kids that managing money is about making plans and making choices. To get what you really want and value, you often have to wait and save before you can spend.

Every Mom can be a Rich Mom when it comes to giving her kids a money legacy to grow and thrive on. Prosperity, after all, begins at home!