A Year of Reflection

Another year is coming to an end. Gadzooks! Another decade is also coming to an end. When did THAT happen?

I always liked this time of year – I like those news reports and articles that look back at the year’s events. I’m always struck by the number of famous people who passed away and how for many of them, they fade away from our consciousness. That part saddens me a little, but it also gives me pause to appreciate and embrace every moment we have.

I like turning off the cruise control of today’s treadmill and appreciate the blessings I’ve been given. My resolution each year is to keep trying to help those less fortunate in whatever way I can. In our “I Can Save!” campaign we offer to second graders, we outline the importance of “spending, saving & sharing.” By any measure, the “sharing” is always the best and fun part.

I’m also very tired of the gloom and doom of the Great Recession. I know jobs and the unemployment rate is going to be our greatest challenge next year. The sooner we get more people back to work the better. The sooner we can convince lenders to begin lending again the better as well.

So for at least the remaining moments of 2009, I’m going to focus on the positive stuff:

• A lot of 401K and retirement money has been recovered from the 2008 losses
  
• Personal savings rate for Americans is reported to be the highest in a number of years
  
• Housing numbers in certain parts of the country seem to be stabilizing
  
• Consumer debt is on a downward trend (though I’m always suspicious of the math)
  
• Credit card usage is on the decline – might it be possible we are developing a “save to buy” mentality rather than the previous “buy now, pay later” approach?
  
• Financial literacy is real hot topic these days – can we now convince the masses that this has to be a required topic for our children to learn?

So here’s my holiday wish and new year’s toast all rolled up – May we apply what we’ve learned from these difficult times, prepare our children so future choices are made with understanding and knowledge, and welcome the new decade with confidence, hope, and a positive sense of community spirit.