| Most of you know by now that my career has been focused in graphic design. In this field, there are creative guidelines designers follow to make some sense from chaos. Although artists and designers might be some of the first people to tell you rules are made to be broken, they will also tell you what "works" and what doesn't "work" in a piece of artwork. These critiques are based on what are called the "elements and principles" of design.
The elements are like ingredients in a cake. Some of these elements are line, shape, and contrast. The principles are actions used in the mixing and baking of the elements. Some of these principles are rhythm, balance, and direction. The guidelines provided by the elements and principles can be applied to many things in life:
"Mom, can I get some new clothes this summer?" Of course you can have new clothes, Cora...you've worn out some items, and you've outgrown others.
"Mom, can I get some extras just to wear this summer, you know - some stuff that I can't wear to school?" My defenses go up...my thoughts travel back to summers when I would wear bleached blue jeans and midriff tops...but only when my mother wasn't watching...
"And can I get another game?" And another pair of shoes, and another this and another that....
Too many ingredients can spoil a cake? Or is it too many cooks spoil the broth? Either way, it's too much for my budget. This summer, I'm about to apply the principles of design to the element of money...
- Money + Contrast = Learn the perception of money. One dollar seems to be a lot when you don't have anything. Thousands of dollars seems to be a drop in the bucket when you feel you have everything.
- Money + Balance = Learn how to enjoy life now (sometimes the most fun doesn't require a massive transfusion of cash), while saving for the future. What percentage of that dollar will go to investments, what percentage will be spent?
- Money + Economy = Learn that less really could mean more. Money spent on items that don't last might create memories, but it probably won't create future possibilities.
- Money + Direction = Learn how to establish financial goals, and learn how to focus on those goals.
- Money + Rhythm = Learn to create regular patterns of investing money.
- Money + Emphasis = Learn that money can be powerful. Spending AND saving can become obsessions, otherwise known in this house as an unhealthy habit.
- Money + Unity = Learn that money is a tool in life. We can use it to fulfill our needs, and to help others fulfill their needs, too.
This is a lot to swallow for an 11-year-old, let alone for her mother. Habits aren't created from instinct; we learn them from repeating a behavior over and over. Habits can be healthy or detrimental. In most instances, it takes just as long - if not longer - to break a habit as it does to build one. I've learned that creating healthy financial patterns could mean the difference between stress and unlimited possibilities in my life.
While looking through information at BUYandHOLD, I came across Charles Carlson's article, A "Kiddie" 401(k) Plan. This was the answer I needed to deal with Cora's emphasis on spending.
Instead of buying clothes and toys that have limited lifespans, Cora and I are creating an investment plan where I'll match her on every penny she saves. Although Cora loves to spend money (especially her mother's!), her preference is to make money. This concept of doubling her money by saving it has captured her attention.
Then we had to talk about her budding obsessions with money. Her worries began with our vacation plans. Now that we've made investing a regular pattern in our lives, Cora was concerned over how we're going to handle this activity on the road. We're going on trips that will detract us from our regular at-home habits. Even when change is something that might be enjoyable, it's still a hassle.
Fortunately, we have the power of communication everywhere we go. Libraries have public access to computers in most countries. Friends and relatives are wired to the Web. Even if we don't plan ahead for the use of a computer, all we need to do is ask for help. Most folks will be able to direct us to the nearest cybercafe, or to a public access plug-in for the laptop. BUYandHOLD is accessible from any computer, so we've solved this problem.
As you know from last week, Cora and I created our investment plans with the E-ZVestsm service at BUYandHOLD. With a few clicks of the mouse, we've established a summer of investment habits that satisfy every principle of design.
Our money is invested at regular intervals, so we don't have to worry about being hooked to the Internet every day. We don't have to jump at every sneeze or cough in the market, since we're focused on long-term investments. E-ZVestsm is definitely economical, and it's quite a contrast from my past habit of investing. This plan also gives both of us more time to have fun and to concentrate on each other, rather than on our money.
I'll admit that I'm occasionally tempted to "play" with our established and agreed-upon investment plan at BUYandHOLD, but Cora is helping me stay on the "straight and narrow." She tells me that if I mess with the principles of the E-ZVestsm service, then I'm not a financial artist.
Ouch.
Until next week.
Linda Goin |
