After careful and prayerful consideration, I chose
to Finances as the topic to implement in my life. I am the person who runs the
finances in our home. I am the one that pays all the bills and keeps track of
what’s paid and what is still pending. A great amount of responsibility lies on
my shoulders. This isn't to say my husband doesn't know or make any financial
decisions with me, but I inform him of what’s going on, I lay it all out, give
him the facts and then we make decisions together. Since I have most of the
financial responsibility I felt that it would benefit myself and my family that
I implement all the teachings of the church regarding finances in my life.
Another reason I chose this topic was because I am currently taking a math
course in which we are required to read a book about finances. I chose to read “The
Total Money Makeover,” which has very good tips on managing finances. I felt
like the Lord was answering a lingering question I've had for some time. First off,
I had to do a little research on how we were spending our money. Second, once I
gathered all my information about our spending habits, I needed to determine
which one’s I could do away with. Third, I then set a budget. The third step
was tricky because it took about two weeks to set up a realistic budget. The
first step took about three days and the second took about two days. The last
step was not deviating from my budget. The last step was the hardest part of
the whole plan. When I hear the word budget, in my mind it sounds easy. I was
wrong, very wrong. About three weeks into the project budgeting finally got
easier. I implemented some of the “Baby Step” from the book I was reading. In
the book “The Total Money Makeover,” I learned that sometimes peer pressure is
what causes so many people to go into debt. It’s as if they are competing with
the world to have the latest and greatest gadgets. That hit home, I won’t lie.
I love upgrading to the newest iPhone. I want a MacBook. I learned that it’s
okay to want those things but getting into debt for them is never a good idea.
Working to get those things without being controlled by debt is the best way. I
feel overly blessed to be part of the Pathway program. I am thankful I've been
able to experience every single one of these classes. It’s helped me learn more
teachings of the gospel and a better understand. This class was a blessing in
my life. I can say now that I really know the First Presidency & Twelve
Apostles of the church. I have a testimony about each one of them. My testimony
and church knowledge a grown tenfold. I know this church is true, I know my
Savior lives and loves us, I know we have a living oracle of God, I know we
continue to receive modern day revelation. I know with all certainty that Heavenly
Father created the Pathway program and he had a plan for each and every one of
the students that would attend. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father, I have
a testimony of them and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
