Mom’s best tips for spending, saving, and living your best life

We celebrate Mother's Day as a way to honor our moms and everything they’ve done for us. To help mark the occasion, we asked our employees to share the best financial advice their mothers ever gave them!

Start saving for the future

Did Mom ever tell you to save for a rainy day? She wasn’t wrong. The more money you save, the more you can control your own destiny. It’s great to have a savings plan for something specific, but saving money is important even if you don’t know exactly what you’re saving for.

“My mom was a real estate developer. She always saved for a rainy day since real estate was not steady in the late 70s and early 80s. Better late than never. ” – Blyn Crisp, Accounting Technician

Retirement may not be something you’re thinking about right now, but if you want to fully enjoy your golden years, it’s important to have a plan in place and to start setting money aside.

“My mom instilled in me the importance of saving and planning for the future. She helped me learn how to be wise with my money. When I got paychecks from my first job, she would help me divide it in four ways: saving, investing, giving, and spending. She also instilled the idea that if you don’t have the money to buy it, don’t. This has helped me stay out of debt and budget my money!” – Amy Athen, Operations Training Advisor

Be smart with your money

Money burning a hole in your pocket? Mom knows that just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to spend it, and that going into debt for a big purchase is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“Establish a monthly itemized savings plan, stick to it, and relentlessly cut on things, not on that plan’s list. Include a bucket for “mistakes” if the plan is missing an expense. This, coupled with paying down debt, can give you financial freedom and a sense of direction. Goals are a good thing! ” – Andrea Boyd, Systems Analyst 

“Budget and stick to that budget! If there’s something you want, instead of just going out to get it with a credit card or loan, think on it first.” – Dineace Minnick, Case Manager

Be cautious, but don’t lose sight of what you love

Mom wants the best for you and often cautions you to look before you leap. However, your mother also likely wants you to focus on learning and doing what you love. Sometimes it’s okay to take a risk or focus on your wellbeing.

“'Work to live not live to work and do what you love.' Because of this advice, I have found my perfect job!" – Josie Wetzler, Multimedia Designer

“When my aunt provides advice on a topic she always prefaces it with: “This is mud on the wall, some of it will stick and some of it won’t, but that’s ok.” – Lorie Wilson, IT Sevice Management Process Manager

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

There’s a lot that goes into managing your money and Mom can be a great resource to share helpful tips. But don’t be afraid to seek advice from a financial professional who can help you navigate your finances and create a plan that works for you. To find the right agent who fits your needs, submit your information through our find an agent page.

“It doesn’t hurt to ask. If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.” – Gail Dixon, Graphic Designer

B1-NA-5-22