Fido’s Blog (In which Fido Ponders the Story of Snoopy vs The Red Baron

Most of us are familiar with the timeless story of Snoopy (Charles M. Schultz’s memorable beagle) and the Red Baron, Snoopy’s nemesis. In the classic Snoopy story, our intrepid beagle takes to the skies, constantly focusing on shooting down the evil Baron. What we may not realize is that same battle plays itself out in our relationship with our money.

Fido has much wisdom to offer us from her doggy heart in how to live our lives wisely, to the fullest. This includes our money perspectives. Certainly treating money as “the enemy,” (the Red Baron) is counterproductive to creating a life of comfort and ease! Here are some Fido suggestions for Snoopy!

Remember that your money is a tool. It is not a weapon, or a curse, but the means with which you construct the life you want. Moreover, like any tool, there are right and wrong ways to use it. Start keeping a money diary in a small notebook you can carry with you. Jot down every purchase, from the latte in the morning to the quick stop at the grocery store for dinner. As time goes on, you will see patterns develop that can be modified or changed. This method will allow you to make moderate changes, a bit at a time, to use your money sensibly and with your eye on the prize. For Snoopy, the prize was the Red Baron, for you, it may be a new car, some remodeling, or a special trip. Just by eliminating the daily latte (instead, make it a weekly treat) you may be able to add up to $200 monthly to your viable spending money!

Focus on the haves, not the have-nots. So often, we moan about the things we do not have in our lives, things we think we must have to be happy. Instead, think of the things you have, and focus on creating a sense of plenty, rather than always looking to the latest cell phone, fanciest car or largest house as the means to be contented. Our money “frame of mind” needs to reflect the abundance in our lives. Each of us needs to use our bountiful lives to create our own plane in which to soar.

Consider all three elements of your money life when making plans. Fido has always said that our financial plan needs to consist of three parts; Savings, tithing (or charitable giving) and spending (which includes your bills and your day-to-day spending). Each part enables personal growth, as well as a sound basis for your economic future. Fido recommends a 10-10-80 split of your monies into each of these component parts.

Want to learn more? Check out my booklet, “A Seeing-Eye Dog for the Financially Blind – Fido knows more about your Money than you Realize!” on Amazon now.

**Images courtesy of Smart Bomb Interactive, Inc. Snoopy vs. the Red Baron ©2006 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. PEANUTS © United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

As Happy as a Dog with Two Tails

As happy as a dog with two tails – a classic idiom that seems to mean the same thing to almost everyone – when a dog is happy, he wags. If he is VERY happy, he wags twice as fast. Therefore, a dog would indeed be very ecstatic if he had two tails to wag simultaneously to show his delight and pleasure in life.

Yet a dog takes its tail for granted. Short or non-existent like Corgi, or long and feathery like an Irish setter, Fido knows what his tail is for – expression! Happiness and affection radiates from his tail, and he doesn’t care about the size or looks of it...

There is a lesson here from Fido in our money dealings. We are rarely happy with our money picture. We don’t have enough, we are constantly in debt, and we fight with our significant others about where our income should go. The happiness in earning a living, sharing our wealth with tithing and saving for future enjoyments is what keeps our tails wagging, so to speak! How can you regain that joy and peaceful delight that comes with being content with what you have, who you are, and where you are going?

The first step, according to Fido, is to look over your finances with honesty and an open mind. What is your income? What is the necessary outgo? The discretionary spending plan? Start your vision with the idea that you are looking for strong points, not weak ones. Allow yourself the satisfaction of wagging for a moment!

Continue on to the second step, analyzing where your spending strategy could use improvement. For example, do you spend $100 or so each month on cable or satellite, but rarely watch TV? Trim your programming package, and roll over the regained cash into a rainy day fund. Do the same with each item of your discretionary spending; meals or coffee out, gym membership, extra vehicles etc.

You are doing well now! Let the pleasure in regaining control over your spending bring the joy of accomplishment into your life. If, in your search for ways to trim the fat, you find you have questions or concerns, don’t let them grow to disproportionate levels. Contact Joan, the Debt Relief Queen, for help in making all your dreams become reality.

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