By: Lizzy Kramer
Have you ever arrived at your destination with that feeling of “how did I get here?” If the answer is “yes,” chances are your personal finances are probably on auto pilot as well. There is nothing wrong with auto pilot, of course, as long as you have your ducks in a row! Some simple financial planning, spreadsheet masterminding, and no “bumps in the road” should allow you to lead a financially healthy and happy life.
The reality, however, is that life happens, and no matter how much you want to ignore it, it will catch up with you, slap you in the face, and affect you monetarily either now or later (sometimes both). So the question I ask is, “Who keeps your finances on track? Who is the one that is more financially motivated, penny-pinching, and frugal; pours over each and every utility bill; turns off every light in the house; and watches the mailbox for credit card statements like a hawk?”
The answer to this question may be “you”… you may be the one with discipline to withstand temptation and desire when it comes to material possessions in order to save, scrimp, and make ends meet each and every month; the rock; the budget balancer. As it turns out, you might encompass both sides of the coin. You may be capable of sticking to a budget, but end up needing to borrow a little from savings every now and then as life sneaks up and gives you that slap in the face it promised! Either way, no matter what your personality, spending habits, living arrangements, income, or marital status—it is up to YOU to keep your finances on track!
Lizzy is working towards completing her Masters in Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is an active student member of NCACPA. She has served as student liaison to the Young CPA cabinet, is currently the liaison to the Financial Literacy Council, and is grateful for all of the networking and educational opportunities the association has provided already!