Hey there! Thanks for celebrating with me.
Today’s my 25th birthday!
“What?” you say.
Well, yes.
Today’s the day I birthed my first child into the world.
Twenty five years ago today I became a mama.
And mamahood has been the journey of a lifetime. Or a quarter of a century, at least.
I have grown and stretched physically, spiritually, creatively and emotionally in ways that I never could have imagined from the other side.
By the grace of G-d, I have spent 72+ months pregnant. Birthed eight beautiful, healthy children into the world. Nursed my little ones for the better part of 19 years. Breathed deeply to inhale the fragrance of innocence, to let in the love, and sometimes to hold my peace, while at other times exploding into fits of anger and frustration.
Twenty five years flash by in a heartbeat.
I muddled through sleepless nights and poopy diapers, jumped for joy at first smiles and first steps, reviewed the ABCs, the aleph-bet and times tables, witnessed term papers and calculus, and clapped at graduation.
Twenty five years pass by in the blink of an eye.
We’ve celebrated Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, walked two children to the chuppah (the marriage canopy) and welcomed three grandchildren (so far). (Update 10/16: four)
Today is my birth-day.
A quarter of a century later, I am the proud mama bear of a growing and blossoming tribe.
But if you had told me 25 years ago when I was on the other side looking in that this is where I’d stand today, I don’t know if I would have believed you. I don’t think I could have envisioned it for myself.
But I walked the walk and talked the talk. One day at a time. Step after baby step after baby step.
Now, believe it or not, envision it or not, money is a lot like mamahood.
In the beginning, when you’re starting out and trying to get a hang of this thing called money management, you might be muddling through. And just like you might not be sure if the baby’s tired, hungry or has an earache, you might not be sure if you should pay in cash, put it on the credit card or save it for a rainy day.
There’s so much to learn – a new language, new habits and a big responsibility. And sometimes it’s just not fun.
And you feel like you’re wading through bank statements. Kind of like applesauce shmeared all over the floor.
Since we were never taught these skills in school, some new mamas go to parenting classes, ask their mom or neighbor for help or turn to Dr. Google for advice. Folks with money challenges often do the same.
But others are sleep deprived and stretched to their limits. They feel ashamed to reach out and ask for help. So they hang out in a fog doing the best they can to plug their money leaks and wipe up the mess. And they keep repeating the same mistakes. Again and again.
Until they make a conscious choice to do something different.
Let me ask you question.
Where would you like to be in 25 years from now?
That’s a crazy hard question. I know. I really, really get it.
So let’s look at the chart below.
This is how your money could grow if you slowly, consciously and consistently invested $5000 a year for 25 years.
Assuming an average annual rate of return of 8%, your slow, consistent $5000 yearly investment (the purple area) can grow to nearly $400,000 over 25 years. The orange area reflects the earnings on your investment: $274,772.
Purple + Orange = a grand total of $399,772.
In the picture below, you can see how my family has grown in the last 25 years: one baby + one baby step at a time.
The trick? Nothing really. Just slow, consistent baby steps. Showered with lots of love, joy, hope and celebration.
And that’s what I want for you and your money.
More love. More hope. More joy. More celebration.
And that’s why I’m sharing with you some party favors below.
As we enter the month of June, followed by the dog days of summer, routines routinely fly out the window. And finances frequently come unglued.
Between summer camps and family holidays, popsicles and ice cream, new bathing suits, sandals and air conditioning, the financial demands keeping coming. Hard and fast. What wouldn’t we do (or spend) to stop the kids from complaining and saying they’re bored?!
And before you’ve had a chance to catch your breath, it’s back to routine and back to school. For many of us that means new clothes, books, binders and backpacks.
Which is why I’m offering a summer special called The V-A-T’s on Me.
I’m opening up 3 slots in my coaching practice for new clients. And I’ll pay the value added tax (V.A.T.) on your investment with me during the month of June.
If you’re ready to take back control of your money and to bring more love, joy, hope and celebration to your finances this might be the time for you.
I come with my party kit and you come with commitment, determination and a sense of humor.
And together we journey forth. One baby step at a time.
Twenty five years goes by in the blink of an eye.
If you’re ready to do things differently and to grow and stretch physically, spiritually, creatively and emotionally in ways that you could never imagine from the other side, contact me.
Let’s set up a time to talk.
With blessings for a healthy summer and a Happy Birth-Day to Me.
Love,
Debbie
P.S. Would you like to learn something new about money? Sign up for my FREE 5-day Mini Money Makeover and jump right in.
Image of ‘Happy Birthday Cake’ courtesy of Will Clayton/Flicker.com
