Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/505233
Isawthefunniestsign recently. But it wasn't funny for long because I started to think about it. It read, "Everything happens for a reason, sometimes the reason is you're stupid and make bad decisions." Ouch. Those 15 words hit hard. I've made my share of bad money deci- sions in my life. Suddenly the humor melted away. I've come a long way from that dark season of my life. I am determined to not go back, but also to not live with regret for what might have been. In- stead of living with my eyes on the rearview mir- ror of my life, I want to stay focused on the pres- ent with eyes toward the future. Which begs the question, how can we stop making bad decisions when it comes to money and personal finance? Get smart. Despite the fact that research from the University of British Columbia released in No- vember 2013 found the smallest part of our brain is integral in the decision- making process — and the fact that we do seem to repeat some mistakes — it is possible to become a better decision-maker. With a little practice, some awareness and a bit of tender loving care, you can learn to make better choices. I've had lots of feedback from readers of this column who tell me that over the years, they feel as though they have gained the equivalent of a degree in personal finance — one random column at a time. Time out. I've discov- ered for myself a sim- ple way to avoid bad de- cisions. I impose a mini- mum 24-hour rule where I have to go into "time out." That means I have to leave the store, turn off the computer, put the de- cision on the back burner for at least one full day and night. You cannot be- lieve how that stops me in my tracks. And more times than not, after 24 hours, I've nearly forgotten what it was that captured my attention. Situations that indeed require a wise deci- sion find more clarity after time out. Check your history. Sift back through your mem- ory when you were faced with something similar. Review what happened, and if it was a bad de- cision — what led up to that? History does repeat itself, but you can change the way you will make this decision. You don't have to be dumb this time just be- cause that's how things went the last time. The past is over, but the future is still open for discussion. Look inside. I know for myself that when I am overly tired or really hun- gry, I make really bad decisions. I can't think straight. I'm prone to com- pulsiveness. Take a deep breath, address your stress levels and then move for- ward cautiously. Seek counsel. Un- less this decision you are looking at is very per- sonal, very private — call a friend, take your dad out for coffee. Find some- one you respect who will listen, and then offer his or her best advice. You don't have to take it, but chances are pretty good that whatever it is, it will help you to see the picture more clearly. The best thing about a bad decision is that you can learn from it and ap- ply that lesson to decisions you will make next time. EmailMaryatmary@ everydaycheapskate.com. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Stop making bad decisions The next diabetes sup- port group will present speaker Gail Locke, MA, RD, with a presentation ti- tled "Preparing for Sum- mer." The meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, at the Coyne Center in the Columba Room on the cam- pus of St. Elizabeth Com- munity Hospital. The Diabetes Support Group meets the first Mon- day of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Coyne Center, which is across the road from the main entrance of the hospital with park- ing both in front and to the side. For more information, call Gail Locke at 527- 5290. DIABETES SUPPORT Grouptodiscusspreparingfor summer; Locke will speak Mary Hunt The Sierra Club Yahi Group is hosting the fol- lowing events for May. Un- less otherwise noted, trips are free and open to the public. If you have any ques- tions or want further in- formation about specific activities, call Wayland Au- gur at 519-4724 or send an email to wba@acm.org. • Saturday, May 16 — Pa- cific Crest Trail from Hum- bug Summit Hike the Pacific Crest Trail above Butte Mead- ows. Elevation gain of 1,000 feet and a total round trip distance of 9-10 miles. The group will start at 6,700 feet and head north to reach the official high- est point in Butte County and enjoy the spectacular Eagle Rocks and several other volcanic pinnacles along the way. Bring lunch, lots of wa- ter, hat, sunscreen, boots and carpool money. Call leader for more informa- tion and to verify hike de- pending on snow condi- tions. Meet at 8 a.m. at Chico Park & Ride. Leader is Alan, 891-8789 or ajmen- doza777@comcast.net. • Sunday, May 24 — Colby Meadows Hike The group will hike the upper meadows trail and a little beyond for a 4.5-mile hike. Bring lunch, water, ap- propriate clothing and money for drivers. Wear boots or a solid hiking shoe. Springtime greenies in the mountains. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Chico Park & Ride. Leader is Larry, 342- 7998. TO DO May activities set for Sierra Club Yahi Group TEHAMA The Tehama County Museum will pres- ent the third in a series of historical presentations by Lee Dummel at 2 p.m. Sat- urday, May 2, in the Marty Graffell Annex. The title of the presen- tation is "Lost Ark of the West," a historical account, including photographs, of John Fremont's infamous and recently discoverd Mountain Howitzer from his second expedition to the West. The presentation is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted with all funds raised going to benefit the Tehama County Museum. Dummel is a historian, member of Trails West and Oregon-California Trails Association and exhibitor of weapons of the 1800s. Executive Director Pam Britting said anyone who attended Lee's previous presentations on Black Bart and on Firearms of the 1800s will want to come for this third pre- sentation. Immediately following his presentation, Dummel will present a historical account of John Fremont's and Kit Carson's presence and activities at Peter Las- sen's Rancho Bosqueho near present day Vina — including an exhibit of their firearms and their use against the Indians north of Vina on or about April 15, 1846. Dummel is a member of the museum and the com- munity is fortunate that he has elected to support it with these presentations. The museum is at 275 C St. in the city of Tehama and is open from 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Questions about these presentations or about ar- ranging special tours of the museum may be directed to the museum by phone at 384-2595 or by e-mail at tc- muse@tehama.net. Museum to present 'Lost Ark of the West' ORLAND Under the Sun Events has partnered with the Glenn County Resource Conservation District to present the fourth annual 5K/10K Run Your Tail Off Fundraiser around Black Butte Lake Saturday, May 2. RCD is a nonprofit, spe- cial district that solely operates on donations, grants, contracts, and spe- cial fundraising events. All proceeds from Run Your Tail Off support the RCD Connects with Kids pro- gram. Other event details in- clude a free family festival, free kids dash, chip timing, snacks and food provided by La Perla Tapatia, and create and wear your fa- vorite "tail" for fun. To register for the race, visit glenncountyrcd. org/5k10k-run-fundraiser/ and click on the SignUp button. For more informa- tion on Under the Sun Events, visit underthe- sunevents.org or send an email to nikki@underthe- sunevents.org. FUNDRAISER Fun run set at Black Butte Lake on Saturday COURTESYPHOTO John Fremont, le , and Kit Carson and their 1846activities in Tehama County will be the subject of a presentation at the Tehama County Museum at 2p.m. Saturday. TEHAMA COUNTY The Chico Harley Own- ers Group will conduct its 29th annual Spring Poker Run on May 2 to benefit the Wings of Eagles, a nonprofit organization which is ded- icated to helping families with seriously ill children. All motorcyclists may participate with check in between 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Hall's Harley-Davidson, 1501 Mangrove Ave. The run will follow a new route and begin and end at Hall's. Food will be served be- tween 12:30-3 p.m. and the 50/50 raffle and raffle prize winners will be announced at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25, avail- able at Hall's, and include a Tri-tip lunch. 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