By Barbara Morris
As the new year gets underway, we try to look ahead with as positive an attitude as possible. Sometimes, especially when unfavorable circumstances seem beyond our control, it isn’t always easy to keep the faith, but we must. That is why discipline must be taught with kindness, at the earliest age, and then practiced throughout life.
Having some practical routines helps, as well. Without routines, time is wasted trying to decide when and how things must be done. Another good rule is, “Don’t put off ‘til tomorrow what you can (and often should) do today.” Procrastination is the thief of time.
All the old sayings we heard from our elders as we were growing up were really lessons learned from experience. Remember “a stitch in time saves nine?” That is almost always true.
“Save the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves” is another adage. These days, there are people who have so little regard for such low denomination coins that they cast them away as worthless, when the retention of only 100 of those little pieces of copper would have given them $1. I wonder if they would as readily discard a dollar bill.
Many people put off things they don’t want to think about, such as making a will. I made out my first will at 18 and have updated it many times since — not because there was any known approaching cause for my demise, but because I wanted some control over whatever I had then or was to earn in the future.
My problem has not been that I wanted to change beneficiaries, but some of them, and some witnesses to that will, predeceased me, thus making an update a necessity. Thinking about making the first one may be a little traumatic, but by the time you’ve done it a few times you begin to feel you’ve been doing something right.
Have you procrastinated about identifying your valuable assets? It is a good idea to photograph your valuables and, if possible, attach some authentication of value. That is not only helpful to the owner for insurance purposes, but also is valuable when attempting to reclaim the article in case of loss or theft.
Speaking of insurance, are you and your family adequately protected? Unfortunately, emergencies arise, healthwise or otherwise, and they can be devastating. Even those fortunate enough to have Medicare find out that when the period of coverage runs out, those above the poverty line are in very serious trouble.
All of the above may sound negative for the start of 2003, but it is better to think about difficult situations and try to plan efficiently for the future without a lot of worries.
On a more positive note, I recently received a flyer from the Cornucopia Society, which many know of as a food pantry (that we hope will soon re-open), stating that the society would receive a $25 donation from Heat USA for each new member to that company. So, if you heat your home or business with oil, are thinking of doing so, or are not totally pleased with your present supplier, this is yet another option to your heating choices.
The flyer states, “Join Heat USA, the country’s largest fuel-buying cooperative, and Heat will donate $25 to the Cornucopia Society. Heat USA is a buying group of more than 28,000 homeowners that uses its combined purchasing power to get you substantial discounts on heating oil along with high quality service from top-rated local oil suppliers.
“Become a member of Heat USA and enjoy savings that average 15 to 25 cents a gallon; free lifetime full-service contract; dependable service from a highly recommended local supplier; free annual cleaning and tune-up; excellent member services; and Heat USA will donate to the Cornucopia Society. Find out how much you can save. Call Heat USA toll-free at 1-888-HEAT-USA, and remember to mention the Cornucopia Society! Heat is a member of the Better Business Bureau.”
I pass on the above for your consideration because I know folks who tell me they have had it for 10 years and are extremely pleased with the savings and service. Our household does not have oil, but this does sound interesting.
