When I was thinking about how hard it is for some people to manage their finances, I remembered a book I read a couple of years ago.
I talked to the author, Hannah McQueen, who was born and raised in Havelock North and went to Havelock North High School.
She is a financial personal trainer and her book, The Perfect Balance, is all about getting ahead financially and having a better life.
Basically she says if you keep doing what you are doing, you will keep getting what you are getting.
She said to me: "There are plenty of opportunities out there. If you need more money, work more hours, get a boarder, do something. It's not okay to sink financially."
That is so true.
Sometimes life throws us a curve ball and we have no choice but to accept help, even if it goes against everything you believe in.
Marriages fail and people are made redundant every day. Those people need financial help and I don't mind my tax money going to them one little bit.
Most people who lose their jobs are actively seeking work before the last day of work. They don't want to be on a benefit.
Before anyone gets up in arms, I am not having a go at beneficiaries. There is a genuine need for benefits and I'm sure the majority of people on them would rather not be.
However, there are people who just take their benefit every week and that's it. They don't do anything different the next week, or the week after, or the month after, to try to make their life better.
I can understand why some people get angry about people who live their lives like this especially Joe Bloggs who lives down the road and gets up every morning, works all day for little more than the minimum wage, then watches as his neighbour parties all weekend and sleeps in all week. Or the solo mother down the road has another baby.
I know accidents happen and sometimes this cant be avoided, but I just don't understand why anyone would want to have another baby when they are struggling to feed and clothe the children they have.
Why put more pressure on yourself and your children? Better to give all your love and care to the ones you have and try your best to improve your circumstances. Changes don't have to be big. Plant a vege garden or make your own tomato sauce and relish. You never know, you might discover you are the best relish maker in Hawke's Bay and end up with a stall at the farmers market.
If you are down on your luck, make a change or take a chance. Who knows what life has in store for you?
