Planning for Emergencies – Pay Yourself First

Emergencies or unexpected events that require money can happen to everyone and usually happen when you least expect it. This is why having an emergency savings is so important. And the best way to build an emergency savings account is to pay yourself first.

Paying yourself first means treating your personal savings account like a priority bill. Don’t wait until your other bills have been paid. If you wait, there is a possibility that you will spend all of your extra money before you have time to deposit anything into savings.

At least 10% of your net income should be set aside for savings if you can’t afford 10% start off smaller and increase this percent over time. The easiest way to do this is to have it directly deposited from your paycheck into your savings account. If you are able to save more than 10% of your net income, that is even better. Once you get to 3-6 months of expenses continue to save the money (maybe in a different account) for other routine needs such and a car replacement or braces for the kids!

Rustic Caramel Apple Tart Recipe

Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 25 min. YIELD:4 servings

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
• 6-1/2 teaspoons cold water
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• FILLING:
• 1-1/2 cups chopped peeled tart apples
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• TOPPING:
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping, warmed

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add water and vanilla, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
• Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 10-in. circle. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Combine the filling ingredients; spoon over pastry to within 2 in. of edges. Fold up edges of pastry over filling, leaving center uncovered. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over filling. Whisk egg and water; brush over crust.
• Bake 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly. Using parchment paper, slide tart onto a wire rack. Drizzle with caramel topping. Serve warm. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Facts

1 slice: 298 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. © 2017 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC

Check out these Fall Activities from the Tennessean!

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HOPE is defined as “the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.”

Hope is a powerful feeling that can get you out of bed in the mornings and can give you the motivation to meet your goals. Each of us has to have hope that there is something better in the future. Without it, we won’t continue and are likely to go back to old, bad habits.

So, how do we get the hope that we need when we are discouraged or worried? Start with a small, but attainable goal. Little positive changes can turn into big life changes.

A few suggestions:

• Look for the good in a family member, friend, co-worker. When you see what talents or gifts that they have, genuinely compliment them. This will build them and will strengthen your relationship.
• Perform a kind deed for a stranger. This could be a neighbor that you haven’t met, a person that you see in public, or some type of volunteer work at church or another non-profit.
• Think of 5 things in which to be thankful and write them down. Look over your list at the end of the week.
• Put your change in a jar each day. In a few months, buy someone a gift or take someone to lunch.
• Who has made a tremendous difference in your life? Write them a letter and tell them. If they are deceased send it to their family member.

What else can you think of? Send in your thoughts. We would love to put them in the newsletter!