Money does not grow on trees

Have you ever sat down at your kitchen table, bills spread out before you, and wondered how you can ever get ahead? I’ve been there—feeling the weight of every expense and the creeping anxiety of debt. Recently, I realized managing my money isn’t all that different from running our country’s budget.

We all know that money doesn’t grow on trees. Every dollar is hard-earned, and just like my own monthly budget, our nation needs careful planning to avoid spending beyond its means. When I review my finances, I see clear choices staring me in the face: keep piling on debt until it spirals out of control, make a reckless exit that damages my future, or take a hard look at my spending habits and tighten my budget.

Imagine for a moment the courage it takes to cut out unnecessary expenses and say “enough is enough.” I’ve found that instead of just adding to my debt, I can choose to do things differently—maybe take on a second job, explore ways to generate passive income, or even sell items I no longer need. These aren’t glamorous choices, but they’re practical steps toward building a future where my income finally exceeds my outgoings.

Now, think about our country’s budget. It might sound strange, but the same principles apply. President Trump’s bold idea to sell five million-dollar gold cards for citizenship isn’t just a flashy gimmick—it’s an out-of-the-box, common-sense approach to generating revenue quickly. It reminds me that sometimes, when the old ways of “printing money” and handing it out just don’t work, we need innovative solutions to keep our financial house in order.

I connect with this idea deeply. Just as I must decide between taking on more debt, scaling back my spending, or finding new sources of income, our leaders face similar choices on a national level. It’s not about quick fixes or shortcuts; it’s about embracing the hard, sometimes unpopular decisions that set the stage for a stronger future.

So, as you read this and think about your own financial journey, remember that you’re not alone. Each of us has moments when we must choose discipline over ease, innovation over complacency. President Trump’s approach may be controversial to some, but it’s rooted in a very human, very common-sense idea: we all need to make sure that what we spend is sustainable, whether it’s in our wallets or our nation’s treasury.

It have been thinking that while the challenges of managing money can be daunting, the same principles that help you get through a tough month can also guide a country through economic uncertainty. Sometimes, thinking outside the box and making bold decisions is exactly what’s needed to pave the way for a secure, prosperous future.

A few thoughts about the election and President-elect Trump

I voted. If you live in America and are voting age, you probably voted. The majority spoke. I read a blog that said President Trump has an approval rating below 50%. As of what date? Said whom? Is it possible to win the popular vote and the electoral vote but have an approval rating below 50%? Does it even matter?

There are reports that President Trump is going to round up people and put them in camps, that he is like Hitler and going to start killing people, etc. What sense does that make? Were you alive when he was the president of the United States just four short (or long) years ago? Did he round up people and put them in camps? Did he kill people? NO. The news makes it sound like he is coming after all of us.

Here are 15 major accomplishments from Donald Trump’s first term as President of the United States (2017-2021):

1. **Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017)**: Enacted the largest tax reform in decades, reducing corporate taxes and individual rates to stimulate economic growth.

2. **Judicial Appointments**: Nominated three Supreme Court justices (Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett) and numerous federal judges, reshaping the judiciary for years to come.

3. **Deregulation Efforts**: Implemented policies to reduce federal regulations, particularly in the energy, finance, and environmental sectors, promoting economic growth.

4. **Criminal Justice Reform**: Signed the First Step Act, which aimed at reforming sentencing laws and improving rehabilitation programs for federal prisoners.

5. **Middle East Peace Agreements**: Facilitated the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations, changing dynamics in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

6. **Trade Agreements**: Renegotiated NAFTA, resulting in the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), aimed at better terms for American workers.

7. **Veterans Affairs Reform**: Improved access to healthcare for veterans and expanded the Veterans Choice Program, allowing more flexibility in seeking medical care.

8. **Job Growth and Unemployment Rates**: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration highlighted significant job growth and historically low unemployment rates before 2020.

9. **COVID-19 Response**: Operation Warp Speed accelerated the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, contributing to a rapid vaccine rollout.

10. **Strengthening the Military**: Increased defense spending to bolster the U.S. military, focusing on modernization and readiness.

11. **Energy Independence**: Promoted policies that led to increased oil and gas production in the U.S., making the country a net exporter of energy.

12. **School Choice Initiatives**: Advocated for and supported policies promoting school choice and funding for charter schools and private education.

13. **Foreign Aid and Assistance**: Reduced foreign aid to countries seen as not supporting U.S. interests and reassessed military commitments abroad.

14. **Environmental Policy Changes**: Rolled back numerous environmental regulations, including exiting the Paris Agreement to prioritize economic growth.

15. **National Security Strategy**: Implemented strategies focusing on countering terrorism, addressing China’s influence, and enhancing cybersecurity measures.

These accomplishments reflect a range of policies across various sectors, reflecting Trump’s administration’s priorities during his presidency. And, these are only a few of his major accomplishments.

Did at least one of these accomplishments impact your life in a positive way? Please don’t fear a second term of a hard-working, country-loving president.

Here is a list of 20 Core Primises he has made for his second term. Can you get behind any of them? Maybe one or two? Or five or ten?

He puts America and Americans FIRST. If you are on Social Security, he wants to stop taxing your check. If you work overtime, he wants to stop taxing that. He also wants to stop taxing tips. Less taxes means more money for us… to save or spend as we see fit.

It seems that if people could or would get over their prejudiced opinion of Trump and take a look at his policies, they will see that most of them will benefit the people in our country – the hard working people, the seniors, the immigrants who came here legally, women, and children, etc.

Not everyone is going to see eye to eye with President Trump on all of his policies. But, I venture to guess that most of his policies, including foreign policies, will benefit every one of us to some degree.

Just wait and see…. It’s all gonna be alright.