UNCOMMON CENTS

I HAVE NO KNACK FOR MATH, ASTRONOMY, SCIENCE FICTION, JUDICIAL LEGALIZE OR DISCUSSIONS ON INFLATION, THE DOLLAR’S DEVALUATION OR MONETARY POLICY, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND GRANNY'S MOTTO, 'STAND ON YOUR OWN TWO FEET.' SHE INSISTED THAT HER PROGENY KEEP IT SIMPLE AS THEY STARTED INDEPENDENT LIVING. K.I.S.S.

HER FIRST RULE FOR BEING PROPERLY GROUNDED WAS TO PUT MONEY IN THE BANK. FROM EACH PAYCHECK OR SOURCE OF INCOME, PAY YOURSELF FIRST BY DEPOSITING A PORTION - EVEN A PITTANCE - INTO A RESERVE FUND. LIVING 'PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK' IMPLIES NEGLIGENCE. EVEN A MACARONI AND CHEESE DINNER FEELS AND TASTES GOOD IF IT REFLECTS AN UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY OF 'DOING THE RIGHT THING.' THOUGH I FEEL GUILTY ABOUT OVER-EATING AT AN OVER-STOCKED BUFFET, I FEEL AND TASTE MORE GUILTY IF I DO NOT UNDERWRITE MY FUTURE BY HOLDING BACK SOME CASH SAVINGS.

I LEARNED THE SECOND RULE FOR SETTING FORTH ON THE PATH TO FINANCIAL SECURITY, NOT FROM GRANNY, BUT FROM EXPERIENCE AND STATISTICS. I DON'T THROW MONEY AWAY ON A NEW CAR. OFF THE LOT, A NEW PICKUP TRUCK, FOR EXAMPLE, IMMEDIATELY LOSES $10,000 OF VALUE FROM ITS $30,000 STICKER PRICE. A 'LIKE NEW' ( TWO OR THREE YEARS OLD) TRUCK, COSTS ONLY $20,000, A SAVINGS OF 30%. MY FAMILY'S INCOME HAS EXPERIENCED ALTERNATING CYCLES OF FLUSH AND BUST WHICH, OVER THE YEARS, ALLOWED FOR 2 NEW CARS, BOTH, LEMONS. BUT NO STATUS SYMBOL OR EGO ENHANCEMENT (NEW CAR) OUTLASTED OR OFFERED SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OR PSYCHOLOGICAL REWARDS OVER ANY USED CAR PURCHASE REQUIRED DURING THE HARD TIMES. GRANNY'S ADVICE WAS FOLLOWED WHEN WE PURCHASED EACH OF THESE NEW AND USED WHEELIES FOR CASH. OWING NO ONE FOR MY TRANSPORTATION MADE FOR SATISFYING TRIPS.

GRANNY DID NOT ALLOW HERSELF TO FALL ON HARD TIMES EVEN THOUGH HER GENERATION LIVED THROUGH THE DEPRESSION; SHE REMAINED GROUNDED IN HER BELIEFS ABOUT REGULAR SAVING AND WISE SPENDING. I GRANT THAT THE ERA OF CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION JUST DAWNED AS SHE DEPARTED, BUT IF ARISTOTLE CAN STILL BE HEARD WITH RELEVANCY TODAY WHEN HE SAID 'MODERATION IS BEST,' GRANNY CAN STILL WHISPER WORDS OF WISDOM FROM HER GRAVE.

HINT: START SLOW WITH SAVINGS IN THE BANK.
HINT: DRIVE INTO THE SUNSET ON THE NO-PAYMENT PLAN. K.I.S.S.