For 30 years I read about personal finances, studied the subject and tried just about every hair brained get rich quick scheme that was shown to me...all for naught. The turnaround happened when I started using the most basic financial tools and applied them to my humble blue collar income.
It all started with the Life Plan. At age 40 I finally filled one out. It put money in balance with the rest of my life and let me focus my financial goals
Through this I knew the key for managing my money was to use the right tools to get what I wanted. These tools were a budget and a balance sheet. I got paid bi-weekly so I used the appropriate budget to make sure that I would spend less than I earned. I filled out a detailed balance sheet and then I kept a vigil on my progress by filling out a quickie balance sheet every 6 months or so.
My working life included the occupations of truck driving, accounting, landscaping, grocery clerking, bartending, ski instructing, paving, painting and farming. I finally settled on a career and spent 26 years with an international airline. I did not climb the corporate ladder but worked in a union position. I focused on managing a balanced life outside of that job.
I retired at age 52 and we are mortgage free. I live near the beach town of White Rock, British Columbia with my lovely wife and blended family that includes 4 children. There I continue to manage my life and am pleased to have joined the publishing revolution. My work experiences, my education, the books I have read and my life experiences have combined to form the background for my writing.
This website is about the rational side of money. Money operates in very logical and rigid patterns just like computers. They both are very unforgiving if you do not follow the logical patterns. If you just use the Big 3 tools to manage every financial product you use and every financial decision you make you can duplicate my success. For money the most rewarding is the pattern of compound interest. A properly managed budget and balance sheet leads to financial security.
You too can build your finances using these tools. Keep this site bookmarked so you can return for more information and spreadsheets. You can also attain financial mentoring and coaching from our Money Saving Tips Blog.
Contact me with feedback or questions.
