By: Mandy Iahn
When I was a kid, I remember saving every penny, nickel, dime and quarter that I found. I put them in my piggy bank, and then one glorious day, I would crack that bank open, count my money and buy myself a present. Oh, the good old days of youth.
As I got older, I stopped saving pennies, literally. I saw them as worthless and dirty, something that weighed my purse down with nothing to offer. Lately though, I have been reconsidering this behavior. Sure, pennies aren’t worth much, but they do add up. As the saying goes, every little bit counts.
I am now employing this philosophy into all areas of my life. When I wash my hair, I use the exact amount of shampoo that I need, not too much and not too little. I wait until the bottle is fully empty before I throw it out. You may think this sounds bizarre, but it’s the little things we do in life that set the stage for the big things we do. If you waste shampoo, who is to say you won’t waste your savings or your inheritance, your time or your energy? Every little bit counts.
Life has many components. There is health and relationships and work. There is exercise and money and fun. The way we approach these components leads directly to the way they unfold in our lives. If we approach our relationships with care and respect, we will see care and respect in our lives. If we approach life with a light heart and an openness, we will experience the freedom of a light heart and develop a sense of wonder. Finances are no different. The way you approach money will have a lasting effect.
So without being stingy, remember that every little bit counts. It matters with how much you save, and it matters with how much you give. You need a healthy balance to be a healthy person. When your clients come to you for financial advice, lead by example. Pay attention to the details as well as the big picture. Show them that you care for them and their situation and that care will overflow into their financial well-being.