I know people are suffering. All too often I am having gut wrenching conversations with families who are hurting financially, relationally, and emotionally as a result of financial downfalls. Many of the people I have talked to ultimately find peace and acceptance and growth through the process of deleveraging and developing habits of living within their means. I have learned a great deal from those who have used their painful experiences to creat a better future. The lessons they have taught me are both powerful and insightful, and are certainly worth sharing. Below is a summary of the top ten lessons from my notes written during countless interviews:

1. Recessions cause you to be more creative and frugal.
2. Tough times force you to make difficult decisions and give up material luxuries.
3. You learn that the most important things in life are relational not material.
4. You realize that living beyond your means is not sustainable.
5. It reminds you that real wealth isn’t about the stuff you own.
6. You learn that cash flow management and cash reserves are the most important components in your personal finances.
7. If you are still employed, you appreciate your employer even more.
8. It is wise to spend less than you make and save at least 10% of your income.
9. Tough times can further develop a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for what you have vs. continually focusing on what you want.
10. At the end of the day, regardless of whether there is a paycheck each month, or money in the bank, family is what matters. Don’t sacrifice what you want most for what you want at the moment.

While you may not be able to control what happens with the economy, you can control your own mental focus. Usually, this determines whether you feel anxiety and fear or peace and hope. The many who have grown through tough circumstances have found that by releasing the pressures of living an unsustainable life, they discover the possibility of a new future. Difficult decisions must be faced. Rather than avoid making the tough choices, I encourage you to face them head on, without delay.

It is my hope that each of you who are hurting will find peace and comfort in your circumstance. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I appreciate your friendship and the trust you place in me as your mortgage planner.

40 days is an interesting timeframe. Making a sacrifice or taking on a good discipline for a 40 day period could be a very healthy thing for you. If you are Roman Catholic, or happen to live in New Orleans, you probably know where I am going with this.

Today is Fat Tuesday. You may know it by the French translation, Mardi Gras.

I must say that I am not a fan of what this particular day represents. It is essentially a day to live it up and involve yoruself in all of the immoral, unethical, undisciplined behavior you can so that starting tomorrow you can live some other reality for 40 days. That seems counterintuitive to me, but hey, it’s tradition, what can you do?

Where I want to take Reality and Hope today is to challenge you to be in Lent. If this has a specific spiritual meaning for you, that’s great – may you take it seriously and may it have a strong impact on your soul. If you have no spiritual connection to this concept, I want to invite you on the journey anyway.

Starting tomorrow for 40 days, what are you willing to sacrifice? What would make you uncomfortable to have to give up?

It you went back and read my previous blogs, you may notice the theme that personal and professional sacrifice is a good thing. It is hugely counter-culteral. We seem to be living in a world that promotes the very opposite – personal happiness and satisfaction. Why is it, then, that almost every great sage in human history espouses sacrifice – particularly the kind that serves others-as one of the great keys to having a fulfilling life?

In this spirit, I present this challenge to you. What, for your own betterment or the betterment of others, would you be willing to let go of for 40 days?

I am humbled by the fact that hundreds of people read this blog, and it is my hope that every one of us will take action. May whatever you choose be challenging, may it cause discomfort, and may it sharpen you and make you a better person.

Lent starts Feb 17th and ends Sunday, April 4th. All aboard!

We know that many of you have already donated to help the rescue efforts in Haiti. Whether through local churches, humanitarian centers, and other organizations that are striving to relieve some of the pain and suffering. City Creek Cares has already donated to help the cause and encourages you to do the same. Below is a list of credible organizations that you can donate to, to assist the rescue efforts. Please share these links with your family, friends and neighbors to spread the need for help to this small island nation.