You will never know what a contribution you have made to the lives of myself and my girlfriends! We love to get together, have a low cost evening of food and drinks and watch your show whenever we can. We’ve learned alot and I’m glad to have recently come across this blog too.

My financial picture, while always pretty good (29, just built new home, paid for late model car, paid for graduate education, never accepted money from anyone and earned every penny of what I have…even though more than a few have been spent foolishly!), has certainly improved in recent months thanks to you, and this has meant increased confidence in my ability to make the big changes that are coming to my life this year. These include finishing a masters degree thesis, moving across the country to take my two year relationship with my boyfriend to the next level, starting a new career in a new province, and buying a second home (this time with my partner). What a year it will be! I am so excited and so happy that you have shared not only excellent financial information with us, but real-life advice full of ups and downs and endless positivity and hope. I am embracing this period of change with a happy heart, and thanks to you, with a full wallet too! I know this year will be full of stress (good and bad) and to be able to not have my finances be an additional pressure feels great. I’m not sure when I’m going to fit that “sense of calm” in there… but the rest will definately be a part of my 2009!

Thank you so much for the amazing work you do, and I hope 2009 brings nothing but the best to you! Your authenticity and honesty are refreshing in a world of fake personas and marketing schemes. Though we’ve never met, you feel like a trusted and comforting friend, and I know I’m not alone in that sentiment. Thank you so much for the amazing work you do. I hope 2009 brings nothing but the best to you and yours, and that somehow you manage to keep that energizer bunny battery recharged! Cheers.

This year I am focusing on my health. I’m training for a 1/2 marathon and planning to actually get enough sleep!

I plan to take the time to do things I love, like paint and take pictures. I will take the time to persue my passions to satisfy me instead of spending money that I don’t have.

Thank you for all your guidance and love in 2008. You mean so much to so many people – dont forget it girlie!

Melanie : )

This article was a lot of fun to read. I actually identified myself a lot with enjoying life simply and sometimes being silly. My husband, three little boys and I are very much like that.

For 2009, my best wishes for you, your family and the great team that works for your show. Also for the people that visit this blog, they also provide good tips, thank you all. Ahh, and I agree with those who wrote above, I have this great feeling about the year 2009, wait and see.

I look forward to all the wisdom you and others are willing to share in 2009! It is snowing here, music is on, coffee is by my side and I have just finished my yearly review of my actuals! Spreadsheets are great aren’t they and my successes outweighed the number of adjustments this year and I am happy with that!

Your wishes for calm, balance, purpose, responsbility, and fun, Gail, I have by my side as I move to the next phase, planning for 2009. This year, I begin my 60th year – where did the time go????!!!!

Well, actually, the initial planning began a bit earlier. Last year, my family decided to cut out some of the excesses of Christmas without cutting out the joy and it went so well this year. As we reviewed this particular Christmas, we see more opportunities to cut out things that aren’t necessary to our enjoyment of the holiday. With two of my grandchildren (aged 6 and 4) who can truly understand the joy of helping others, we are redirecting our change to make a difference for others next Christmas. They have turned into little scavenger hunters looking for spare change to put in their special jar! Gail, it was you, I believe, who proposed a ’sharing’ jar. They will also be sharing a part of any money they receive. Although we have talked about that, we haven’t worked that out together as yet. Thank goodness the concept of money isn’t as important to them as ’sharing’ and if we catch them early, the idea of sharing will be an integral part of the money concept when they do learn about it.

Best wishes to all!

All the best in 2009 to all….

That letter from 12 year old Lindy almost made me cry! (could also be PMS) Kids shouldn’t have the burden of adult problems and worries. I hope 2009 is the year her parents do things differently.