Culture Challenge of the Week: Money Troubles

“Mom, can I borrow some money?”

Every parent has heard this question from a son or daughter – perhaps many times.

How do you answer it?

Typically, a child or teen who wants to borrow money follows up on the request with an immediate list of reasons why he or she needs the money now, and why it makes sense for you to hand it over.

An adult son or daughter may take a more mature approach, following up with sophisticated explanations of need, reassurances about repayment, and logical points about why it makes sense for him or her to borrow money from you instead of the bank or a lender (avoiding the obvious point, however, that it’s usually better to avoid the debt entirely).

As voters, we’re dealing with the same thing on the national front – except that no one asks us whether the federal government should continue to borrow money. Nor does the government promise to repay us for the higher taxes that inevitably result from servicing the debt, let alone repaying it.

America has got a money problem. It begins at home and it plays out on the national stage.

And the solution is the same, for your family as well as for our government.

How to Save Your Family: Choose Well

During last week’s Presidential debate on the economy, Barack Obama got one thing right. He said that money and budgets are about “choices.” Indeed they are. Both governments and families have limited resources and virtually limitless possibilities to spend money.

The Obama Administration chose to reward political cronies with billions of dollars for fruitless “green” energy projects (such as the now-bankrupt green energy firm, Solyndra). Those same dollars might have fed hungry Americans, bought military defense software to detect hidden IEDs, or provided extra protection for our diplomats in the Middle East. Instead, the Solyndra building sits shuttered, a monument to corruption and reprehensible financial choices, while American families mourn the deaths of soldiers and at least one diplomat.

Financial choices have consequences.

So how can we choose wisely? Live by these rules:

• Distinguish between wants and needs
• Don’t spend what you don’t have.
• Pay back what you owe.
• Be grateful for what you have.
• Give generously to those who struggle.

The solution to America’s money troubles lies with you. Live a financially sound life, and insist that the government exercise the same control over its spending as you must do in your own life.

Need help on the personal front? Visit DaveRamsey.com. Dave Ramsey is a down to earth, common sense voice for financial responsibility. He offers free tools on his website and sage advice in his courses. On his website, for example, an easy budget calculator figures how much of your monthly income should be spent on housing, utilities, medical, charity, and other categories. Up to your ears in debt? Dave’s been there and knows how to get you out of it. His “debt snowball” tool can show you how to pay off thousands of dollars of debt in a year, progressing steadily towards the goal of a debt-free life. 

But don’t wait to have your personal financial house in order before you insist that our government begin to do the same. 

The first step? Vote.

Vote for fiscal sanity, for reduced spending, a realistic budget, and a sound debt repayment plan. Vote for new leadership to take these tough steps – elect a businessman with the real-world experience to make sound financial choices. Mitt Romney knows how to rescue a financial ship that’s begun to capsize. He knows how to steer it out of turbulent waters and back to smooth sailing. He’s generated jobs and financial growth in the business world and he can do it for our economy. America needs him to take the helm.

Begin today. Takes steps to find personal financial peace. And choose wisely for our country as well.