Lately I’ve had a lot of financial issues on my mind. Maybe it’s because tax day was yesterday and the media was all abuzz. Or maybe it’s because my husband and I are working to improve our own financial situation to begin saving for our daughter’s future. Maybe it’s the continually rising gas prices or the big R word we keep hearing about. Or maybe it’s some of the fantastic articles I’ve read lately about money saving tools and finding financial perspective. It’s likely that all these things have played a role in money being at the fore-front of my mind.

During these frustrating economic times, it can be so helpful just to feel as if you are taking control of your own finances by being proactive. It certainly helps to avoid feeling like a victim of circumstances and like things are beyond our control. It’s taken me a long time to realize that I am solely responsible for my actions and that it’s my choices that have brought me to where I am today… whether that be good, bad, or indifferent.

Through those realizations, I have come to value my responsibilities and choices, rather than see them as baggage I don’t want to deal with. Every choice is a new opportunity to make improvements in our lives and to learn from our mistakes. Does that mean it’s easy? Heck no! But aren’t the best things in life usually the ones we have to work the hardest to achieve? Strong connections to God, good health, strong families, financial stability, achieving balance… I could go on forever.

With all that being said, I have found several fantastic blog posts that pertain to the issue of finances. I read a great post on TJ Hirst.com recently that really got me thinking about reigning in our financial practices, especially during these economically uncertain times.  TJ discusses the blessings that she has found in the midst of the current economic downturn and how the economy has played the role of a catalyst in strengthening areas that she might not have otherwise worked on.  The attitude she and her husband took during this time of concern for them was very inspirational:

The prospects felt bleak when we did not have a clear vision of what the future might bring for my husband’s small business. Right away, we turned to our faith as a means to gain some perspective and seek help. We did not just pray and expect God to do the rest. We did all that we could do. While I cannot say that we have enjoyed the experience, the situation has been an opportunity for us to learn and grow in several ways.

She goes on to describe the specific ways in which her life was blessed through the knowledge and perspective that she gained. Click here to read her full post.

And just this morning I found a post on Scribbit about a new financial website that helps organize and keep track of all your finances. My hubby and I just got signed up this morning and will be using this website to help find some focus in our own financial situation. Here is a description of what Mint.com does:

There’s a new website making headlines that you might find useful. Mint.com is a site that takes your financial information–bank accounts, credit card accounts, mortgages, etc.–then puts them together so you can review and understand what your money is really doing.

One final link is to a post I found on ZenHabits.net that includes some wonderful advice to find financial peace of mind. You know about the whole zen thing… finding simplicity in the middle of chaos. Isn’t that what finances feel like sometimes? Well this post aims to help us find the eye of the storm. Leo describes his method as the following:

It’s a fact: our finances are one of the things in our lives that stress us out the most. If we’re trying for a stress-free life — with stress-free productivity, working and living environments, waking early, morning routines and the like — then we need to address our finances and find routines that will keep the stress of money to a minimum.

I hope these links can help you find some clarity and take control of your finances, if that’s an issue you face, as so many of us do. After all, with so many beautiful things in life, who wants to have to keep worrying about money?