Saving: The Squirrel Doesn't Have a Cushion... Do You?

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Saving: The Squirrel Doesn't Have a Cushion... Do You? © 2005 Darlene Arechederra

Have you ever watched a squirrel balancing up on the highwires? He'll travel a few feet, then pause. A few feet more, another pause.

He actually makes the balancing act look easy, doesn't he? But, I always wonder what will happen to the squirrel if he mis-steps, losing his balance. The highwires are not part of his natural habitat. They are manmade.

You see, if he loses his balance, he has no safety net waiting for him below. He has no cushion on the street below to protect him.

As humans, we love cushions! They make our lives easier. We've got sofa cushions. We buy cushioned shoes to absorb the impact on our bodies from walking, jumping, jogging.

There's the *cushion* we build in with our time. We leave a few minutes early for work, especially in bad weather. How about that *cushion* of space in front of us should the driver up ahead run into trouble?

And believe me, if it's 100 degrees and you're out in the country on a dry-as-a-bone dirt road, you'll want to leave lots of cushion when following the pickup in front of you. Unless you enjoy eating dust, mile after mile (smile).

Yes, the cushion is our friend. And without it, life indeed is less pleasant.

But, there's another type of cushion -- and it's a real necessity for us. I'm talking about the cushion in our checkbooks. Our own balancing act can become difficult at times. And we need to build in a cushion to protect ourselves.

So, why's it so important to have your own cushion?

1) A mistake in your checkbook is less likely to create a crisis.

2) If the bank deducts an amount larger than the actual check amount, your cushion can save you from bounced check fees.

(Not to mention the hassle -- and your reputation.) How many checks could bounce as a result of one simple error on the bank's part?

So, let's build you a small cushion in your checkbook. We'll start small. And as you watch it grow, you'll reduce some stress in your life. (And don't we all want our lives to be easier?)

Here's how you can get started, today. Let's build in an extra five dollars incrementally. Each time you get paid, you'll pay your bills. So each payday, you'll want to leave five dollars *more* in your checkbook at all times, after paying your bills and adding in other spending you'll be doing.

If you normally keep a balance of $23 to fall back on between paychecks, week one would end with a cushion of $28. Following the next payday, week two would now find you with a $33 cushion remaining in your checkbook.

Go ahead and pencil your new cushion amounts to the right on your check register. It'll remind you of your new strategy and keep you motivated. You'll be amazed how quickly your cushion will grow for you!

Now, think of this as your new safety net -- not *extra* money. You could even call it your Mini Emergency Account. It's there for you if something goes awry in your checkbook.

Today, create a new, simple habit that takes only 30 seconds each payday! No need to walk that tightrope ever again. No more thinking, "I've-only-got-two-bucks-in-my-checkbook" (smile).

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Darlene Arechederra is the creator of the Stay-at-Home Bootcamp -- a fun, interactive program for women who long to return home to their little ones. She invites you to take her FREE Quiz at AffordToStayHome.com/quiz.html Join her free, money-saving ezine at RatRaceRemedies.com -------------------------------------------------------