Earning, Saving, & Investing: Building a Strong Financial Future

Life can surprise us, and sometimes it can feel like everything happens at once. Recently, I experienced a reminder of how important the principles of earning, saving, and investing are. Let me tell you about it.

It all started when my water tank broke in the house — just one of those things that happened unexpectedly. Not long after, I got a flat tire. I didn’t even realize my tire was low until it was too late. When I took it to the mechanic, he told me that not only couldn’t the tire be fixed, but all four of my tires needed to be replaced. Usually, I would have been upset or stressed about how much this would cost, especially when I had worked hard to save a little nest egg. But this time, I felt a sense of peace instead of worrying.

Why? Because of what I’ve learned about saving. Thanks to the lessons I’ve gained over time — especially the importance of having an emergency fund — I knew I was prepared. I could handle this setback because I had saved. I thought to myself, Thank you, Father, for teaching me how to save and build financial security. If I hadn’t learned the importance of saving, this situation might have been more challenging.

Here’s the thing: sometimes we forget how significant saving is. Saving isn’t just for big emergencies; it’s for those everyday surprises that life throws at us. If you haven’t started saving yet, it’s never too late. A great place to begin is with small steps — like keeping your spare change. There’s an app called Acorns, which helps you save a little money by rounding up your purchases to the nearest dollar and putting that spare change into a savings account. It’s an easy way to start building that nest egg.

If we didn’t learn how to save, we would miss out on a big security blanket that helps us stay calm during times of need. Imagine what it would be like to feel the relief of knowing that you’re ready for any surprise — like a broken water tank or flat tire. Without that savings, it would be easy to feel stressed or overwhelmed. But with it, I felt grateful and secure. And that’s the real power of saving.

It’s also important to remember that we all go through ups and downs. Sometimes we have plenty of money, and other times it seems like money is going faster than it’s coming in. But through all of it, we have to stay grateful. Every time I’m able to pay a bill or cover an expense, I say, Thank you, Father. Gratitude is such an important part of this journey.

The key to building financial freedom is not just earning money but knowing how to manage it. Earning, saving, and investing are all part of the same process. As we grow within ourselves, learning the lessons of personal development and financial management, we start to see that the money flow is just a part of life. Sometimes it’s here, sometimes it’s not, but through it all, we have to trust that the universe will take care of us. Just like the birds are cared for, so are we.

So, here’s what I want you to take away from this:

1. Earning is important, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Keep working hard, but also consider how to grow your income.
2. Saving is your safety net. Start small, even with your spare change, and build that financial cushion.

3. Investing helps your money grow over time. Consider looking into options to make your money work for you.

And always remember to be grateful for what you have. Money comes and goes, but the attitude of gratitude and the principles of earning, saving, and investing can make a world of difference. It’s all part of building a solid financial foundation that will support you through life's highs and lows.

In the end, we’re all learning and growing. Don’t be hard on yourself if you’re just getting started. Just take that first step and keep going. Trust in the process, and know that you are always supported.