I’ve only recently begun to plan 15+ years out for my future. Until now, it was hard for me to imagine where I’d be (realistically!) in 5, 10, or 20 years.

Ironically, this summer I’m teaching a personal finance class to middle school students. It’s an enrichment class, so the curriculum combines fun activities with “real-life” activities including budgeting.

I love summer and I know I’m not alone. The longer days give us more time to squeeze in activities, even for those that continue to work a 9 – to – 5 job. But what I find is that I spend more money over the summer!

In the past, I’ve set monetary goals for myself and wouldn’t come close to achieving them. Want to know why? They weren’t specific enough or attainable. I’d make pie in the sky predictions that I had no way of meeting, but they looked good on paper so I typed them out.

Ultimately, the results people want to see from those receiving welfare are that they eventually become self-sufficient – have a job and earn a living wage to care for their families on their own. Yet, how the TANF and SNAP program work do the opposite.

I’m not much of a foodie – I don’t cook, I’m not one to scope out 5-star restaurants, and I don’t get late night…