The Pilot News - ‘Save today to live like a king or queen tomorrow …’

I am the last of seven children born to two migrant workers from Texas. My father is an Army veteran who supported his family as a blue-collar worker while my mother stayed at home to tend to the little Indians! Both parents had a strong work ethic and made it clear that nothing is given without hard work and faith in God above. They put us through school and were active in each one of our extracurricular activities. Mom was always helping someone out. Dad was always the chauffeur.
With that said, I knew as a child to work hard and do the best I could. Echoed by Dave Ramsey, one should eat rice and beans today to live like no one else later. The entrée, which is still my favorite, was rice and beans, along with tortillas. That grandiose meal made by my mom was always the hit of the family and with friends. She was able to magically conjure up food with little in the pantry. A little really does go a long way.
Due to their faith and hard work, they showed me that money pays the bills but doesn’t make you truly happy. Like when you see your son or daughter walk for the first time. It’s not the brand-name shoes, but the feet inside them.
When leaving for college, I knew that I needed a stable job. I knew I needed a game plan and only tailored to me. I decided my course of action and did a check-off list when I accomplished each task.
When I married, I became a farmer’s wife, which was a whole new concept. My husband immediately cut up my ATM card. Why, you may ask? Well, he noticed I was burning up money with ATM withdrawals. After he explained what I was doing, I realized he was right on target. He wasn’t telling me to hurt my feelings, but to alert me about what I was doing. I started listening to him talk about stocks, mutual funds, the Dow Jones. Sometimes, I thought it was another language. He showed me a better way to handle money. Although I am far from being a millionaire, I do know my family “needs,” compared to its “wants.” Do I really NEED a fashion-label purse, or WANT it to keep up with the Joneses? Knowing purses … I’d rather keep my money.
Pay attention to detail of small things that add up. You may soon realize that that is where all your money is going. Save today to live like a king or queen tomorrow.
(Lemler is a senior detective for the criminal investigations division of the Bremen Post, Indiana State Police)
Schedule
All sessions are open to the public. Free child care will be provided. Pre-registration is required two days before presentation, contact the United Way at 574-936-3366 to pre-register.

Saturday, Oct. 10
9-10am – “Our Community in Crisis” @ Bremen Senior Center
10-12 p.m. – “Social Security Benefits” @ Life Enrichment Center, Plymouth
Monday, Oct. 12
12-1 p.m. – “How Credit Affects Insurance Premiums” @ United Way Office, Plymouth
3-4 p.m. – “Making Sense of Retirement” @ Plymouth Library
6-7 p.m. – “Pricing Your Home to Sell in Today’s Market” @ Coldwell Banker Office Oak Road, Plymouth
6:30-7:30 p.m. – “College Savings” @ Lifeplex, Plymouth
6:30-7:30 p.m. – “From Crisis to Confidence” @ 1st Source Bank, Plymouth
7-8 p.m. – “Saving Energy – Save Dollars” @ Plymouth Public Library
7-8 p.m. – “A New Perspective on Cash & Liabilities” – Bremen H.S. Multipurpose Room
Tuesday, Oct. 13
9:30-10:30 a.m. – “Making Sense of Retirement” – Plymouth Library
11 a.m.-1 p.m. – “Indiana Employer Assisted Housing Fund” – Life Enrichment Center, Plymouth
1-2 p.m. – “Keep It Safe – Your Rights as a Consumer” – United Way Office, Plymouth
6-7 p.m. – “Do you Really Need a Trust in your Estate Plan?” – TCU, Oak Road, Plymouth
6-8 p.m. – “Where Does Your Money Go?” (Part 1) – Purdue Extension Office, Plymouth
6-8 p.m. – “Indiana Employer Assisted Housing Fund” @ Life Enrichment Center, Plymouth
6:30-7:30 p.m. – “Job Changes & Your Retirement” @ 1st Source Bank, Plymouth
6:30-7:30 p.m. – “Making Sense of Retirement” @ Plymouth Library
7-8 p.m. – “A New Perspective on Cash & Liabilities” – Bremen H.S. Multipurpose Room
Wednesday, Oct. 14
3-4 p.m. – “When and How to Start a New Business” @ Life Enrichment Center, Plymouth
3-4 p.m. – “Making Sense of Retirement” @ Plymouth Library
4-5 p.m. – “Purchasing a Home or Farm on Installment Contract” @ Stevens, Travis, Fortin & Lukenbill, Plymouth
6-6:30 p.m. – “Home Ownership 101” (English) @ First Federal Bank, Plymouth
6-7 p.m. – “Buying a Home from Start to Finish” @ Coldwell Banker Office Oak Road, Plymouth
6:30-7 p.m. – “Home Ownership 101” (Spanish) @ First Federal Bank, Plymouth
6:30-7:30 p.m. – “What’s Your Number” @ 1st Source Bank, Plymouth
7-8 p.m. – “To Your Credit” @ Bremen H.S. Multipurpose Room
Thursday, Oct. 15
9-10 a.m. – “Cyber Crime Fraud” @ Indiana State Police Barracks, Bremen
9:30-10:30 a.m. – “Making Sense of Retirement” @ Plymouth Library
10-11:30 a.m. – “Your Workplace Retirement” @ Ameriprise Office, S Michigan St, Plymouth
5-6:30 p.m. – “Your Workplace Retirement” @ Ameriprise Office, S Michigan St, Plymouth
6-7 p.m. – “When & How to Start a New Business” @ Life Enrichment Center, Plymouth
6-7 p.m. – “Solving the Mystery of Your Checking Account” @ TCU, Oak Road, Plymouth
6-8 p.m. – “Where Does Your Money Go?” (Part 2) @ Purdue Extension Office, Plymouth
6:30-7:30 p.m. – “Making Sense of Retirement” @ Plymouth Public Library
7-8 p.m. – “Making Health Insurance Work for You” @ Community Hospital of Bremen
Friday, Oct. 16
2-3:30 p.m. – “Inquiring Minds Want to Know” @ United Way Office, Plymouth
7-8 p.m. – “No Silver Bullet – A Debt Free Life” @ United Way Office, Plymouth
Saturday, Oct. 17
8-10 a.m. – “Capstone Event” @ Christos’ Banquet Center
10-11 a.m. – “Making Sense of Retirement” @ Plymouth Library