
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 13, 1991                   TAG: 9102130113
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Lelia Mayton
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TAX TIME IS THE PERFECT TIME TO EXAMINE SPENDING HABITS

What do you have to show for the money you make each month? Do you have a home, two cars, a savings account - or do you seem to have lots of bills and not enough money to pay them?

Do you control the way you spend your money in order to accomplish things that are important to you, or does your money seem to just dribble away and you're not sure where it went?

You probably have your W-2 forms in hand by now, so this is a good time to take a hard look at how much you made last year and your spending habits. Your current spending habits determine what you will have to spend six months or a year from now, five years from now, or in your lifetime.

Having to dip into savings to meet regular monthly expenses or paying only the minimum payments on the credit cards are two of the danger signals that you are living beyond your means.

Living within your income requires careful planning. It also requires self-discipline and the ability to say no to unnecessary spending.

The ability to manage money has to be learned, developed and practiced on a daily basis. Extension publication 354-028: "How to Make Your Money Go Further" can help you learn how to be a better money manager. You may obtain a free copy by calling the Montgomery County extension office.

Congratulations to Bill and Jim McDonald, Montgomery County beef and sheep producers, who have been selected as recipients of the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council's 1991 Outstanding Forage Producer Award.

Bill and Jim will give a report on their operation and receive their award as part of the afternoon program at the Council's 14th annual conference and trade show on Feb. 21 at the Ingleside Red Carpet Inn, Staunton. For more information on the conference call the extension office. Pre-registration is not required.

by CNB