Proudly Display Your Veterans Flag

I sadly remember day we buried my father. An American flag covered coffin

before being transported to cemetery. There it remained during service.

At end of service my brother-in-law and I tried our best to remember our own

military training while we folded dad's burial flag into a neat triangle and took it home.

Each day similar scenes are repeated across America. Our country has many veterans who

have sacrificed and suffered for their country. The number is now growing rapidly.

The burial flag represents a period of great sacrifice during life of one American.

In case of my father who was stationed on USS Curtiss in Pearl Harbor on

December 7, 1942 he was also present aboard USS Piedmont in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945

the day treaty ending war with Japan was signed. Most of what happened between

these events was never talked about. He held horror and devastation of this period

of his life to himself.

I never really understood how he felt until my own service time during Viet Nam war.

It seems I do not like to talk about that time period either.

Perhaps feeling of sacrifice has again surfaced with my son, a Sergeant in the

Anyone wanting to better manage their money would be wise to determine what their financial priorities are and stick to them. Of course, if you see that these priorities will not put food on table and pay your bills then you will have to rethink your priorities.

Setting your priorities is simple. You just decide what is most important aspect of your finances and put that item on top. However, if you decide on that stereo over your electric bill, you may find yourself in dark with no need for a stereo.

There are basic priorities that pertains to everyone. These are simply a matter of survival. Here is a list of basics:

Water Food Shelter

That was a tough one.

What does it take to ensure that our basic needs are met? The main ingredient is a source of income to pay rent or house payment, pay utilities, and buy groceries. This is where you start setting your priorities.

Before you can spend another penny, you have to take care of what you need to survive. Don't put off rent or house payment, utilities and don't skimp on your groceries and necessary health items. If you do you will start experiencing money problems much sooner than you would if you had delayed paying other bills instead.