This is the time of year when many people look at their debt situation and shudder. They dream of what it would be like to be out of debt. And, if they're brave, they begin to plan a strategy to reduce the amount of debt they carry. They'll begin with high hopes. But many of them will quit before reaching their goal, disappointed, discouraged...

Are the people in your house about to embark on another set of New Year's resolutions? Encourage your loved ones towards the goal. If you're feeling stuck, here are a few simple, deliberate steps that can help propel you from vision into action. 1. Commit. You might take a step or two in the right direction, but until you are committed, chances...

The story is told of a couple that grew to find little to appreciate in one another. The daily tally of things one did that annoyed and aggravated the other was a growing list. More and more they did less and less together. In desperation the woman visited a counselor and took along her journal of all the attitudes and actions she was resentful of...

Kids. Sex. Money. According to therapists, these are the most common topics married couples argue about.  After recently talking with a number of counselors and clergy about common marriage problems they’re dealing with, Facebook should be added to that list.  In fact, Facebook is one of the most popular relationship conflicts for today’s married...

It is often said that balance is the key to happiness. Financial balance is an important part of a balanced life. Life can sometimes be like the balance scales our grandmothers used years ago with many different aspects of our beings coming together to balance and form the people that we are. We work and play, rest and expend energy, commune with...

Have you ever met a person who refuses to make decisions together? You might ask, “What shall we have for supper?” and the uncooperative response may be, “I don’t care.  You decide.” Or you say, “I’m thinking we might take a trip to the coast this year.  What do you think?” only to hear, “Does it really matter?  We always do...

We all know that building strong relationships takes ongoing work. We start by prioritizing our relationship(s) and finding time for those who are important to us.  If we neglect to do that life moves along and we can lose touch.   A close relationship is like a dance.  When one person moves, the other one responds.  The dance can go really...