In the early 70's my father lost his job. This created #financialinstability and my father took out his frustrations on his family. My mother was left to raise 5 kids alone. We received welfare; Mom worked caring for a wealthy woman to make extra money despite her heart condition. As kids, we worked on farms planting and picking and attended school and church. Lake Ontario and the orchards and farms were our playgrounds. We expected nothing and as #money was tight we were thankful for what we received. A pot of gravy was simmering on the stove every Sunday, life was hard, but good because we had each other.
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Mom passed away suddenly in 1977 and while trying to give her mouth to mouth I remember thinking; this can't be happening. By this time, my oldest brother was married and living in California, and my oldest sister was also married and living in Niagara Falls. So, the discussions began, what to do with the three youngest?

My middle sister who was disabled was sent to live in a group home near my brother. My closest sister (14) and I (12) were sent to live with an aunt in Rockland NY. Eventually, my sister would go to live with my father. I was thrown out of my aunt's house when I defied her by going to work. At 15, I believed I needed to work to pay for college. With everything I owned laying on the front lawn (this was her usual practice with her foster children), I swore that I would never be thrown out like garbage again. I would never return or speak with my aunt again.

I was fortunate to live with friends, sleeping on couches or in the basement, in a booth at a family restaurant I worked at, or in my car. Eventually, my sister and I convinced our father to sign a lease on a 1-bedroom where we lived and covered our expenses. We worked hard, often holding down several jobs. #Money was always an issue often wasted on wants to leave little room for needs. Some times were dire, but somehow, we pushed through and learned to make smarter choices.

The way in which I was raised, the time spent homeless, the fear, insecurity, and financial instability have affected my life. Though today I consider myself financially #responsible, with a good family and great children the impact of the financial instability early in life is still there. #Skills learned through trial and error, and through work at the foundation have helped me change my mindset. They are important skills for youth from all walks of life, and lifesaving to those who have not had the great opportunities that I have had to learn and recover from mistakes.
This is why it is so important for us to help young men and women and at-risk families develop the skills needed to succeed. Financial success builds security, promotes responsible #behaviors and a healthy #mindset, and helps build the foundations needed to become #successful in life!

Please share your story and why #PersonalFinance is important to you?

www.tiresplus.com/auto-maintenance-services/tune-up/Bringing your new baby home for the first time is exciting. It’s also scary. Suddenly there’s a little life in your hands, and your trusty car doesn’t seem as safe as it did before there was a fragile newborn in the back seat.
 
If you want to be completely sure of your baby’s safety on the ride home and beyond, don’t wait until you’re at the hospital to worry about your car. The DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation hopes these tips will help you prepare your vehicle for its precious cargo without spending a lot.
Freshen Up Your RideDoes your car have good bones but need a little work? An unexpected breakdown is more than inconvenient when you have a baby in the car. Check around for a trustworthy shop for a tune-up. If you can’t afford to go without your car, look for an auto repair shop that offers no-cost loaner cars or rent a car for a couple of days.

According to Palment Motore, one way to helpavoid major repairs is to protect you car in a garage. If your house is currently garage free, dont worry it may be affordable to add one than you think. Once you factor in the savings on maintenance and insuracne an add it to the increased value of your new garage adds to your home cyou may even com out on top!  

Need to Upgrade?Take a good look at your car. Is it a four-door car with modern safety features, or are you still driving your old college beater?
 
You don’t have to go out and buy a minivan, but you do need a car that’s safe and practical. If your old car doesn’t have side curtain airbags or requires a contortionist to load the car seat, shop for a low-mileage used vehicle rather than splurging on a new one. Cars lose substantial market value within the first five years, which means if you know what to look for, you can buy a late-model used vehicle for around half the price.
Check Your Insurance PolicyA bare-bones car insurance policy saves money in your monthly budget, but it could cost a lot more in the long run. The minimum mandatory car insurance required by state law may not be enough to cover medical bills and property damage in an accident. Even full coverage may lack valuable benefits, like uninsured motorist coverage and roadside assistance. 
Increasing your car insurance coverage doesn’t necessarily mean hiking your rates. If you traded a sports car for a family-friendly vehicle, Wallet Hub points out your premiums may go down thanks to a safer car.
Prevent DistractionsIn-vehicle infotainment systems are becoming commonplace in new vehicles, but drivers can save money by using their smartphone as a driving assistant rather than paying for the carmaker’s factory navigation.
 
Compatible with most cars beginning in 2014, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integrate with your car’s touchscreen to display driving directions, play music and podcasts, and activate Siri or Google Assistant. Instead of taking your eyes off the road, you can use voice activation or steering wheel controls to change music or get directions. You may even be able to use features like Android Auto or Apple Carplay to stay completely hands-free while driving.
 
Every parent knows how important car seats are, but keeping your baby safe on the road goes beyond buying the right safety restraint. If you want to feel confident loading your baby in the car for the first time, make sure you’re looking at the big picture of car safety — from staying focused behind the wheel to staying covered in the event of a wreck.
 
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