First Day of Second Year

I pretty much adore my classes!

This morning started with my alarm clock. What's special about my alarm clock is the fact that it has been packed away for 6 months and I haven't heard that lovely, loud, well-known beeper for such a long time. So I almost welcomed that noise.

Almost.

Lucky for me though it was only 7 am rather than any time in the 6th or 5th hour of the morning. For some reason, waking at 6:59 is too early while 7 is perfectly fine.

Well, I hopped out of bed and was nervous/excited/worried about my first classes. I hurried to dress and make myself presentable, made sure I had everything I needed for my classes and left.

My first stop: the Library.

Now I know you are probably thinking that it was my first stop, because I (the girl who reads books any chance she gets) wanted to check out a book, but no, it was because I needed something printed, read, and marked for my second class and my poor printer was starving for paper.

After that I continued on my way to the Crossroads to get myself some breakfast. To my surprise they do not open at 8, but rather at 8:30. Looking at my schedule my first class was at 9 over in the Ricks building (one of the furthest buildings away from everything else) and I wanted to be there early, especially on the first day.

So I sat and wrote in my Journal and wondering if I should grab something to go... or not.

When 8:27 came around I decided that I was just going to walk through and see if I could buy anything to go that I was interested in, and if not I'll eat after class. I ended up not finding anything and so continued on to class.

Getting there early, I found a comfy seat that was half occupied and began to sit outside the room to wait until it's occupants left when I looked at the girl sitting and she looked at me and we had one of those "Oh hey! I know you!" moments. It turns out that she was in my class and group for American Foundations a year ago. We were rather relieved to know that we knew someone in the class.

Of course we talked and caught up with each other, and then sat next to each other in class, and was just glad of each other's company.

The class is entitled "The Developing World".

The first thing we did in the class was watch a YouTube video: "Where the hell is Matt?". Matt Harding's website is: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/ and I highly recommend going to it and reading the "About Me" section. Love it. In anycase, the point of watching the video was to show globalization and how people have much more similarities than differences. For example, turkeys are raised and usually have white feathers, but if one is born without white feathers the other turkeys peck it to death. Quite literally. The turkey farmers have to raise it elsewhere, alone, to save it's life. Somes we act more like the white turkeys then we might want to admit. We seem to be a tribal people. We can truly connect to a few dozen people. But Matt Harding says that his tribe has grown to be so large and global that he can't really comprehend it. I then had the thought that Heavenly Father is so amazing in that He knows each of us individually and we are His children. Not some tribe. But His actual kids. It hit me rather strongly at that point in class. In the world today, the tribal mentality is changing faster and more rapidly than ever before through technology. Globalization is on its way. (Second side thought during class: Globalization helps to prepare the world for the Second Coming).

I then learned that Poverty is relative. We measure wealth against others. Which is what should not be done. In my opinion, after learning this, Poor means not having the necessities; Rich means having your needs met and then some.

After the class was over I headed over to Crossroads for breakfast. I caught up with a few friends, enjoyed a lovely meal, and then headed off to my next class:

"Money Management"

We had homework the day perviously in which we were to print, read, bring the syllabus and also read and interpret the scriptures "Family, Managing Finances" in the Topical Guide. In class we discussed it all. I think I'm going to love this class as well! My instructor, Sister Nelson, said that if she could she would teach how to manage one's finances just through the scriptures and not have to use a textbook, because there are three really important things in finances and the scriptures cover them extensively:

1. Tithes

2. Save

3. Debt

Tithing is what you pay to the Lord.

It is an immediate and literal way to pay back the Lord for all the blessings and gifts He's blessed us with. (Of course, He then keeps blessing you, but that's fine.) Not paying your tithes causes a lack of blessings in your life verses a curse because you aren't paying. You never know how blessed you are until it is taken away.

Saving is what you pay yourself.

One student and her husband puts their change in a huge jar that is duck-taped at the top with a slit for coins. It is a way for them to save even their pennies. It makes it easy to put money in, but hard to take it out. Also, make sure to self-evaluate periodically so you know what to save or spend.

Debt is paying others.

This is when you spend money. Money you have, or money that you don't have. Sister Nelson made clear this phrase: "Never invest with what you don't have."

Money is a stewardship.

We are told to manage our stewardships. Stewardships, however, are never people, they are blessings. What's that? What about children? The stewardship you have as a parent is the stewardship of being a parent. If you had stewardships over people, you would be interfering with their agency.

When that class concluded I headed home for an hour or so to lighten my backpack before heading to my next class. I arrived a little early so I wrote in my Journal some more... but then it was time for my class:

"Young Adult Literature"

I really am going to enjoy it. I am required to read a total of 25 books. Young Adult books. This includes Harry Potter, Eragon, Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, Repunzel's Revenge, and any other young adult book I can think of. I'm excited. :) I am required to read fun books for class. That's the best news I've heard in forever.

Yup, so today has been a good day. I've enjoyed my classes. Have tons of homework. Like being in a warm house. Yup. Love college.

The Economy and Me

My American Foundations class amazes me. (Well, all my classes do.)

I was required to buy the book Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell who has also written Basic Economics. I must say, that I was not overly excited about buying a book from Amazon. Because that meant money being spent on books that I could have spent on food. Which is weird for me to say as books are normally higher on my list of priorities then food. But, no matter, I bought the book and it arrived yesterday, and while I was at my FHE brother's apartment, I began to read.

How interesting it is! How depressing it is!

I must say, that I believe America's economy seems to be heading in the wrong direction then it should for a Healthy Economy that we would all love.

Goals of all people: getting rich.

Now perhaps, that goal can be really unhealthy for you if its prioritized too far at the top of your list, but it is something that we all need to have in our lives. Plus, it creates advancement and progression. Progression in technology and standard of living and such.

Here is a question you should consider: Are you richer then the richest American, John D. Rockfeller?

John D. Rockfeller was over Standard Oil Company. This article "John D. Rockefeller Oil Standard Time Worth Business Andrews" says, "By 1901, he was worth about $900 million and is believed to have been the world's richest man at the time. His net worth when adjusted for inflation would put him in the top twenty modern day billionaires; however, when adjusted for the size of the United States economy in his day, his net worth would dwarf that of any of today's billionaires. In 2001, it was estimated that in contemporary money Rockefeller would be worth $200 billion."

When they are talking about adjusted for the size of the U.S. economy verses adjusted for inflation, they are talking about the fact that the general standard of living for Americans increased from his day to ours verses just the money value being adjusted.

So here is a question: Would we want to take $200 billion dollars (adjusted for inflation) if we could only use it in the ways he could in the 1800s?

I personally would not. Why? Because with our standard of living today in America we are better off then the billionaires back in those days. The billionaires, if they were sick, did not have the medical advances of today. They could not travel as easily as even the poor in American can today. So we have more options and possibilities today for the average person then even the rich ever did have back in the day.

Why is that? That is a question I shall endeavor to answer in this post.

Have you ever heard of the essay I, Pencil. My Family Tree as told to Leonard E. Read? It was written by Leonard E. Read and first published in the December 1958 issue of The Freeman. If not, you should read it. The principles behind it are still in effect. It shows the advantage of capitalism and why it is so effective.

No one person knows how to make a pencil. They don't have the skill nor even the know-how of the skill. There is no human mastermind. I'm sure our Heavenly Father inspires a lot of it (which I will address later), but I think there is an abstract rule like gravity in economics that Heavenly Father knows how to use. In anycase, the Invisible Hand is a theory as to what runs the economy when no one else is as when you look at the big picture of it all its obvious that something is missing and we haven't yet discovered what it is. But we have labeled it the Invisible Hand. It's the Individual's plans that seem to run the economy. Everyone plans for his or her self-interest which could be labeled as profit and to fulfill dreams. Love of our fellowman can motivate, but not taking imperfect people. Heavenly Father has our best Self-Interest in mind. And his plans are so large that we can't really comprehend it. But through inspiration he helps us and gives us personal revelation in everything in relation to our lives.

My teacher told us a story of when he was in college and in an economic class in which he was the only LDS member, the teacher was talking about economic growth throughout the ages. The professor then taught: Imagine if aliens visit every 100 years from the beginning of time. Every time they would visit the human race would only have advanced a little bit if at all.

But then. Approximately in the 1820s the standard of living skyrocketed. If the aliens were to come back they would wonder if they landed on the wrong planet. The professor said it was the U.S. Constitution that its an economic miracle document and he wondered at how the Founding Father's knew. Because it was a total revolutionary idea. No other people or theorist ever came up with such an idea. That it took a couple years for it to start working, but that the U.S. Constitution is an economic miracle. My teacher, the only LDS member in the room, heard the year 1820 and basically fell out of his chair. That is the year of the First Vision.



My teacher remembered the scripture saying that the Spirit of the Lord, or inspiration, will come to the whole Earth again with the Restoration. The Heavens were opened once again in 1820. The Spirit fell more abundantly upon the face of the Earth. It was of my teacher's opinion that when the Gospel was once again upon the Earth it was to the benefit of all men. More inspiration. More progress. It's amazing.

Heavenly Father guides this economy giving us what we want, we just need to be in tune to the Spirit so we can benefit and be obedient without even knowing, because being in tune with the spirit will mean we are in line with God's will. There are scriptures in which the Lord tells those leaving on missions not to worry about food and material goods, that have faith, he'll provide. He talks to all people, saying that if we are righteous and obedient we will never lack. Miracles occur.

Oh how I love the gospel. and even though I read and hear of the direction the world's economy is headed towards. Even as I hear of the pride of different groups of people who refuse to look at any other option than their own. I remember that as long as I am righteous and obedient and faithful everything will turn out as God wills, which is in my best interest. I know that we do not have to worry as long as we are doing the best we can with what we have and know.

Learning about the Financial

Perhaps its because I am at college and am more aware of all the knowledge out there and try my best to soak it up, but it seems to me that themes are occurring and repeating. Possibly because I really need to know this information for some strange reason. It amazes me that if you are open to inspiration, you learn things that would be most beneficial. It seems to me that one of the most ideal times in which to learn and gain wonderful habits are in our college years. However, I also think that in all stages of our lives is the best time to be learning more and gaining better habits.

In anycase, yesterday was Fast Sunday and some of the young men from our ward go around to our homes to collect Fast Offerings (which I didn’t know and so turned them in earlier at church). As they do so they also drop off an Ensign for our home: one per home. I began to read it and near the beginning was the Visiting Teaching Message which is entitled “Managing Resources Wisely and Staying out of Debt.” Then today, in my College Success class, the lesson of the day was entitled “Financial Awareness” taught by a Senior who’s major is accounting and who works in the financial advising department. It was very interesting and enlightening.

As a result, I now have some new goals. I’m more knowledgeable about what these goals should approximately be and how to accomplish them. That’s my problem sometimes; the lack of knowledge, also known as ignorance, causes me to not know what it is that I want to attain.

But first, let’s continue with what I have learned and perhaps you may learn something as well, or come to a better understanding with me as I rewrite what it is I have acquired from these different sources.

Why should I care about my financial state? Personally, I think that is a stupid question. I mean, money matters. Not in the way of wealth and ambition and greed, but rather in the way of taxes, bill payments, education, food and other necessities. As it does matter we need to be wise about the money we are given. It’s not actually ours anyways. It’s our stewardship, we are to manage and be responsible over it. Use it for righteous means. Money is a blessing, but it can be used for evil as all things can be.

Another reason as to why we should care: the Deficit effects the economy. Less jobs for those of us who are looking for them, even after graduation from college with a major.

What we do with our money depends on our perspective. There are three words that people don’t really like to hear or do: “Debt”, “Budgeting” and “Savings”.

DEBT
What is debt to the average American? An everyday thing. Something you run up everytime you go shopping. It’s a normal occurrence. Debt is something that defines life in the normal way of the world, at least in America.
What is debt to many LDS members? Something bad and to be avoided at all costs. However, there are good debts. What? you ask. Good debts? Why, what is that? Good debts are debts that are made as a result of education, housing, and transportation. Although, it has to be reasonable and not overboard on buying some topnotch super expensive car just because it’s cool and whatnot. But there are somethings that it is acceptable to have a debt for.

BUDGETING
To many people, budgeting is something you do when you are poor and broke. That is a False Statement, as budgeting is something in all actuality is an asset to making you far more prosperous. Budgeting, in my own words, controls the “natural man” to spend. Budgeting is just telling our money where to go. It is also a collection of financial goals. Another false statement: Without goals any failures can be looked at as a success. No progressing equals no improvement and no achievement and no success.

SAVINGS
This is something Americans just do not do. In fact, we are in the negatives of saving. Meaning we spend that which we do not have. We need to plan ahead as we don’t put into account all that we should. For example, what is the estimated cost of education? $1640 for tuition. Then an high estimate of the cost of books at $500. Housing off campus at an average of $900, many places are higher. $700 for food. Possible $150 cost of transportation of gas if owning a vehicle, and even if not, for other kinds of transportation. So an estimated total of $3890 per semester. Do we college students keep that in mind as we are home from school and working, of the amount we should be saving for only one semester of college. For one year, or two semesters, its an estimated total of $7780. And this is only at BYU-Idaho. (Now, hopefully, my parents are freaking out right now. :P) Another something to be aware of as we try to plan ahead is the resources available to us. The free financial advisors, the scholarships and grants, and such. Sacrifice is a huge part of planning ahead. How? Well, explain to me when it is convenient to save. When you are single? When you are newly weds? When you have children? When your children are older? Is it truly convenient at any of these times? No. But we should do it anyways. Even if is just a small amount. At least something should be saved. Excuses shouldn’t really be accepted as to why you can’t save. Although, obviously the amount depends on the situation of each household.

“To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior’s example to serve and bless others.
‘. . . Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family. Unfortunately however, additional debt is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses.” So says Robert D. Hales in “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually”.

I like this. The Principles of Provident Living:
Joyfully living within our means
Being content with what we have
Avoiding excessive debt
Diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies

What does Provident Living implies?

President Spencer W. Kimball says that provident living implies:
Conversing of our resources
Wise planning of financial matters
Full provision for personal health
Adequate preparation for education and career development
Giving appropriate attention to home production and storage
Development of emotional resiliency

It’s interesting to learn all these things and then try to apply them into our lives.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has 5 key steps to financial freedom:
Pay your tithing
Spend less than you earn
Learn to save
Honor your financial obligations
Teach you children to follow your example

That is a lot of information and there is even more out there. But it honestly just amazes me the financial information that I gained in these last few days. I really shall be making goals and keeping to them.

Gotta love learning. :D