Debt

Some time last week, a group of us sat outside the kraal waiting for our next lecture. While deep in conversation, one of the girls said: Can I give you guys some advice?” The rest of us responded: “Sure.” She continued: “Don't open a clothing account because you will end up in debt.” The word DEBT reverberated in my ears like a scratched CD playing on a stereo and I started thinking. . . 

            Debt is an increasing problem today. Millions of people find themselves losing everything because of a number of reasons apart from over spending on clothing accounts. So what simple steps can you take to eliminate debt if you are in that position? Well, there are a number of reasons but we will consider only a few and they are the following: 

            The first move should be to establish a working relationship with a reputable bank. If you must borrow, this is where you will likely get the best interest rate. If your bank refuses you a loan, it is probably doing you a favor. Remember, it is in the business of lending money and will lend it to you if it seems reasonable.

            Second, you must start paying off the debts in some organized way. On paper, project your anticipated personal cash flow over the next 24 months. Be realistic. Include every bit of income you expect to have. Then list everything that must be paid. Include some allowance for items that you cannot even think of right now. List the debts in order of priority. Then allocate your money on a fair basis so that each debt receives at least some payment. Set a target payoff date for each debt.

            In conjunction with this plan, consider where you might reduce costs. Debt reduction always requires some sacrifice. Can the grocery bill be shaved by bargain shopping? What cheaper substitutions can be used in meal planning? Can your living standard be reduced? Can some luxury items be enjoyed less often? Sometimes we just have to be ruthless with ourselves. Certain expenses can be moved from the “necessities” column to the “luxuries” column.

            Once you have a plan worked out on paper, discuss it with your bank loan officer. He will be impressed when he sees that you mean business. He may be able to show you how to improve the plan. He may even suggest a debt consolidation loan. If so, be sure to consider the interest rate and the length of time over which the consolidated debt is to be repaid. It will usually mean smaller payments over a longer period of time. But do not be tempted to use the debt consolidation to borrow more money.

            Obviously, to overcome debt successfully, effort is needed. However, more than that is required. Once you have eliminated your debt, you need to find ways to keep your life free from debt forever. In other words, you should not go back to your old habits. It will not be easy but with endurance you will make it happen!

“I know I should be doing it, but . . .”

It's eight o'clock. You are working on an assignment that you were supposed to start working on last week. The dead line is tomorrow at twelve o'clock. Your phone starts ringing. It's your friend calling to ask you to go to the new restaurant that has opened in town. You know that you are supposed to continue working on your assignment  but you choose to go with your friend to the new restaurant and you assure yourself that you will finish your assignment when you come back.

            If you see yourself in the above description, you can at least draw comfort from the fact that you have plenty of company. Putting it off, postponing, procrastination or whatever else you want to call it is one of the most common of human weaknesses. There is hardly anyone who has not at one time or another said to himself or herself, “I know I should be doing it, but . . .”

            So what can be done to avoid procrastination? Well, there are many ways but we will only consider a few and they are the following:

            Tell time. If you are always running late, literally running because you’re late, learn to tell time. That is, make an accurate assessment of how long you’ll need to do a task. Add a few extra minutes to the task for the “disaster” that may happen.

            Delegate. We often try to do everything ourselves although we may not always need to. Another person may be able to drop off a package for us if we know he is going to the post office.

            Slice it. Sometimes we don’t start a new project because of its size. Why not slice the large task into smaller ones? As we complete the smaller tasks, we’ll see our progress and be encouraged to complete the next phase.

            Plan for interruptions. There are always interruptions in our workday—phone calls, visitors, problems, mail. We want to work effectively, which includes working with other people who also have deadlines. If we are concerned only with working efficiently, we’ll become upset when others get in the way of our activities. Therefore, plan for interruptions. Allow time daily for unplanned developments. When these arise, you can take care of them, knowing that you’ve allowed some time for them.

            Reward. When you do your scheduling, you should plan for intense or concentrated performance for about 90 minutes.  After you’ve actually started the job and have been working for about an hour and a half, you may need to take a short break. If you work in a confined space, pause, stretch, and reflect.  Reward yourself for your work.

So the next time you have something to do rather than postpone it, deal with it there and then Though, it is easier said then done, the benefits of making an effort of doing the right thing will be priceless!

 

Happyness

Every normal person wants to be happy. Yet, the faces of workers, travelers, shoppers and others more often reflect worry, sadness or apathy; not happiness. Why? Well, the pace of life in our generation is faster than ever before and the pressures of daily living are greater. People find that time quickly slips by as they try to get things done. Consequently, some feel having happiness as a regular part of life, now and in the future, often seems like an impossible dream. So what can be done to attain some happiness in our hectic lives?

            There are many ways you can find happiness but we will only discuss three points. They include the following:

            First, consider the alternatives. Almost all of us can think of some tragedy that would lessen the happiness we have at this moment. That being so, it means that we do have a measure of happiness now, without such tragedies having happened. So, while we may not feel very happy about our condition in life, it helps us to realize that we are usually better off than we have imagined. Appreciating what we have surely would include appreciating life itself. While you may have many problems that can be depressing, you still would rather be alive than dead, would you not? So the next time you are feeling sad, remember to say: “I am glad to be alive.”

            Second, happiness requires work. While it may seem desirable not to have to work at all, that is not really the case. If everything were somehow miraculously done for us, life would become incredibly boring. The reason is that we were made to thrive on a proper amount of activity. While the work you do may seem uninteresting or unimportant, does it not make a contribution to your existence, for example, helping to pay your bills? Then it is important to you. And it is important to society in general, for if all the seemingly routine or “dull” jobs were eliminated, how long would society continue to function? True, your work may not be as desirable as someone else’s. But it almost always makes some contribution, not only to your welfare, but to that of others also. If you look at it that way, you can feel some satisfaction in trying to do your job well.

            Lastly, our relationship with others. We cannot truly be happy without the friendship, affection, warmth and understanding that comes from people. True, in some places, such as crowded cities, one might at times wish that all the people would disappear. However, who would really want to be completely alone? While that may sound appealing for a little while, the fact is that we cannot find genuine happiness without other people, even if we are disappointed or angered by them at times. Yet, it is not merely having others around us that brings happiness. What really matters is our showing love, a vital ingredient needed for happiness. And the kind of love, the kind that will bring the best results, is a love based on right principles, as well as being warm and affectionate.

            Therefore, a measure of genuine happiness is possible but to enjoy it requires real effort.

Laugh your head off

“Laughter is a pain killer without side effects.”- George.

Are he daily pressures of life causing you to walk around with a ‘chip on you shoulder,’ so to speak. If so, laughter is the best medicine for you.

Evidence is slowly accumulating that laughter may serve as a therapeutic tool. It is known that the act of laughing gives a healthy massage to one’s internal organs. Furthermore, according to American Health magazine, some “researchers think laughter may empower the immune system.” The magazine then quotes immunologist Lee S. Berk as saying: “Negative emotions can manipulate the immune system, and it now seems positive ones can do something similar.”

In hopes of utilizing the healing power of humor, some hospitals have set up so-called laughter rooms in which patients can play games, watch funny movies, listen to jokes, or simply visit with relatives in a more cheerful atmosphere. Can you put humor to work yourself? Say you have a sick friend or relative in the hospital. Why not brighten that ailing one’s outlook by giving him or her a humorous book or funny card where that would be appropriate?Laughter can also eliminate anger. Dr. Williams notes: “It’s hard to stay angry when you’re laughing.” Yes, seeing the humor in a situation is one of the most constructive ways of handling anger.

However, good things, when indulged in to excess, can be harmful. Laughter is no exception. The Illustrated Medical and Health Encyclopedia says: “Laughter is, then, like every other function of the body, a mechanism that should be used enough but never too much. Overexercise or overuse of any function of the human body is not conducive to its best development.”

Excessive laughter can at times lead to vomiting. Especially in the case of children, too much laughter can cause the sphincter muscles of the bladder and the rectum to relax suddenly, with embarrassing results. Some doctors even believe that laughing is dangerous for those suffering from heart or upper respiratory afflictions. Yet, there is a more vital reason for controlling laughter which is thoughtless laughter can grate on the ears of others. Rather than proving to be a source of encouragement, such laughter tends to discourage others.

Therefore, even though laughter can benefit you physical, you need to be careful not to engage in laughter for laughter's sake.