800,000 Government employees went without a paycheck for 35 days, causing many to skip mortgage payments and forcing others to turn to safety nets like food banks to feed their families.  This recent shutdown has left a bad taste in many mouths and has lowered many people’s opinion of our elected officials.  

But today is a new day and paychecks have resumed.  Whatever your thoughts and feelings on our Government’s actions and on seeing so many of our fellow Americans in horrible situations, my advice is this; endeavor to live on your terms.  

Pay yourself first.  If you’re not in the habit of doing this, you’re in the habit of paying everyone else first.  Odds are, you get to the end of the month and there’s nothing left over for you and your family.  Set your foundation.  Get your emergency fund set.  Pay off your credit card debt.  Get to three months income saved.  

Use this recent terrible situation as motivation to get moving in the right direction.  Live on your terms.