Here is your Seven-Bullet Monday
1. A quote I am pondering:
"The goal is to die with memories, not dreams." – Tiny Buddha
Have you been postponing tackling any of your life goals? Is that because you are too busy, have too much work on the go, don't have the time, or are afraid you won't be able to accomplish that goal? Then this quote might spur you to take concrete action and make that one or more of those life goals happen.
2. A question I am asking myself:
How do I have the most productive next two months?
Now that I am back in Vancouver, I want to hit the next two months hard on all fronts; work, personal and financial. At work, we have several exciting sustainability workstreams on the go that need finishing, I want to get in better physical shape, and I need to get my school and public Making Money Work programs up and running again.
3. A book I am reading:
From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way – Jesse Thistle
In this book, Jesse Thistle gives a confronting and very moving memoir of overcoming trauma, prejudice, and addiction while growing up as a Métis-Cree orphan after his parents separated and left him and his brothers. After a decade or more of living on the streets as a homeless addict, he finds a way back to wholeness and his Indigenous culture. He is an author and assistant professor at York University, and his research is helping Metis people overcome intergenerational trauma and find hope and a future in Canada.
4. My favourite podcast this week:
The Model Health Show: #622 – The Truth About Stem Cells and the Future of Precision Medicine with Dr Robert Harari
You will like this podcast if you are interested in stem cells and regenerative medicine. Dr Harari is one of the co-authors of Tony Robbins' recent book, Life Force. He is also one of the world's leading experts on using placental stem cells for a wide range of medical procedures producing near miraculous results for previously incurable, very difficult-to-cure chronic diseases.
5. Hugh-Tips
Create and Sustain an Emergency Fund
Far too many people need their next pay cheque to get to the end of the month. If they suddenly lose their employment or a significant expense arises, they are in great trouble. This is where emergency funds are a must-have. Ideally, your emergency fund should cover six months of typical living costs. If that seems impossible, start with something as little as $1000, and build it up from there. Make sure to prioritize building your emergency fund over non-essential expenses, even if that means some sacrifice in the short term.
Don't be tempted into thinking of your credit card or a home equity loan as emergency finance why you might ask. Because, by using one of these, you have just incurred more debt that you will have to pay back in the future. It won't give you the best financial return because you need to keep it liquid, but it will give you peace of mind, just like insurance.
6. My highlight of the week
Enjoying the sites of Sydney after a short holiday and camper van trip down from Brisbane
Leanne and I wrapped up a whirlwind visit to Australia. After attending my brother-in-law's 70th birthday party in Brisbane. We rented a camper van and made our way down to Sydney, including spending a few days by the beach in beautiful Byron Bay. We also got to experience some of Sydney, including walking the Sydney Harbour Bridge, seeing the Sydney Opera House, swimming at Bondi Beach and enjoying a dinner cruise around the incredible Sydney harbour.
7. My challenge to you for this week
Digitize your old photos so you have a complete electronic library
If you have lots of old family photos gathering dust somewhere, why don't you make it a project to digitize the best of them so you can easily access and enjoy them in the future? You can do this by simply taking a photo of them with your phone camera (minus the flash), or if you have old negatives, there are inexpensive gadgets that digitize negatives straight to memory cards. Once you have done that, why not go a step further and make a little slide show of old photos for someone you love and give it to them as a birthday or Christmas gift?
Have a wonderful week