Exchanging flowers, chocolates and valentines with our loved ones is the usual fare in February. But these are not usual times. The economic future of the world is still uncertain and, if we really want to take care of our loved ones, we might have to take some extra steps. My father always used to invoke the saying of “a white penny for a black day…” Are we ready with our “white pennies” to face whatever “black days” may lie ahead?

A good way for each one of us to find out about our state of readiness is to attend one of the several financial classes that Cary Clark will be offering again starting in February: Financial Literacy, Family Budgeting and possibly two new offerings, Time Management and Pension Plans. Cary has a wonderful way of explaining the most complex issues in simple understandable terms. Her goal is to give each person who attends her classes the necessary tools to make informed decisions. Wouldn’t it be great if you felt informed enough to take control of your expenses, to think up ingenious ways to save money while still having fun, to plan ahead your family expenses so that you can be ready for any challenge?

And if the economic uncertainty becomes a source of stress, whether at home, at work, or elsewhere, if tempers get short, people grumble, discussions turn into heated exchanges, remember to remain patient and tolerant. This too shall pass and by remaining positive you will find solutions to your problems much more quickly.

But through it all, remember that the Family Network is your home away from home. Join our activities. You will find yourselves among like-minded people who understand what you are going through. Together, we can laugh at our mishaps, find the courage to meet our challenges, and help build a brighter future for us all.

Rula Ghani