One morning last week, I was up extra early and pouring water into my tea kettle in the kitchen. I looked up and on the other side of the window was a huge spider in action building their web.
As it was the wee hours of the morning, all was quiet. I paused while my water boiled and watched the beauty of the natural world. This process is mesmerizing.
The intricacy of web was reflected in the ideal body of the spider designed for this task. The consistent pace of their movements. And the precision, yet simplicity that flowed with this process.
I watched a good five minutes straight and then another ten minutes off and on as I made my tea - treasuring the moment intertwined with nature.
With such a close view, I saw the spider stop part way through the process. A pause? A rest? Some of both and the time change the silk coming from their body: Now was the time to add the sticky silk. They were not hurried, as they made the switch from the strong silk building the frame to the thread designed for catching.
My only disappointment was that I did not see how they closed it off- that happened much quicker then I thought as they left a big opening in the middle. I did find a video which includes the making of a web for you and for me to watch the final step. Beautiful Spider Web Build Time-lapse | BBC Earth
What does this have to do with your money? I find that the spider’s approach may lead to some examples to help us.
At this time of what seems a whirling world, slowing down needs to be strategic. And it is necessary. Maybe all we can do is appreciate the basic, simple parts of life.
Take one of nature’s tips:
1. Apply a consistent pattern to how you manage your money.
What day do you pay bills? Attend to planning for the month? Are you consistent with saving each month? Do you use one credit card for subscriptions? Creating a system and sticking to it will make you happier and peaceful around the ups and downs of money life.
2. Can you simplify the web of your financial life by choosing one spending category and using cash for it.
For example, use cash only for the month for groceries. The actual tangible dollar bills give you a sense of what you are spending and keep you connected to your money. Plus, there is no credit card bill to pay later or entry to confirm from your debit card.
3. Plan a time for organizing your finances.
We are halfway through the year. Like a spider who pauses to take in their handiwork part way through, you too must take the time to connect with this important facet of your life. Rather than wait until the year end, what can you do today to review and smooth out your money life as you move into the second half of the year.
4. Set time aside to review your credit cards.
Many people look at their credit card bill when they pay it. However, the details may help you make changes. Or at least become more aware of your spending. The monthly subscriptions may all be things you use. Or the charges may simply be for services you use once and do not need now. Take a look and the time to cancel subscriptions you no longer use.
5. Create an annual review of your asset allocation of all your investments.
As we get older, therefore closer to retirement and living off our retirement investments, we want to be more conservative with our investments. Our safety account and maintaining cash is still important part of our plan. We need to look at them separately. Like the spider with two different types of silk. You have two different pools of money for different purposes. Investments are not designed for the expenses you face in the next year. You need cash for that reason.
6. Get into the details that often go overlooked:
Obtain different bids for your home and car insurance. One thing for sure, insurance premiums are increasing but competitors have different plans and varying costs. You may save money but take the time to see what the premium costs are from another provider.
Understand your employer plans. Knowing how much you can contribute to your retirement plan and being reminded of your other benefits helps you take the maximum available to you.
Look at your health insurance. When you know the deductible your plan has, be prepared rather than be surprised with a medical bill. Put that amount in cash to have available if and when needed.
These are six tasks that make a strong and lasting financial home. You do not have to do them all at once. Consider taking on one each month until the end of the year. Like the spider’s intent determination to build a web to catch their food, you need to pay attention to the details to create a sustainable financial future for your life.
Weaving nature and your finances creates MoneyPeace.