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Money Mondays
By Imagine Scholarships
Sherri Ross
November 18, 2024
đ Welcome to this week's Money Monday!
Gratitude, Thanksgiving, and Your Finances
As Thanksgiving approaches, weâre reminded of the importance of gratitude in every aspect of our lives. While this season often focuses on family and togetherness, thereâs an overlooked connection between gratitude and financial well-being. Gratitude shifts our mindset from scarcity to abundance, encouraging smarter money habits and better financial decisions.
Iâve included a few ideas this week to help you be more intentional and thankful during the holiday season and maybe even save some money, too. đ
Research shows that practicing gratitude can improve financial discipline, strengthen relationships, and even lead to better academic performance. This week, weâll explore how embracing gratitudeâespecially during Thanksgivingâcan positively impact your life, from boosting grades and deepening friendships to improving your financial health.
The Connection Between Gratitude and Money
The Science Behind Gratitude and Spending
Grateful people are less likely to overspend on things they donât need because theyâre more content with what they already have. This leads to:
Increased Savings: Grateful people tend to save more, focusing on long-term goals instead of instant gratification.
Better Financial Decisions: Gratitude helps reduce impulse spending by fostering mindfulness and patience.
Thanksgiving and Financial Reflection
Thanksgiving isnât just about turkeyâitâs an opportunity to reflect on your financial blessings. Whether itâs a part-time job, a scholarship, or even the ability to pursue education, recognizing these financial advantages can inspire smarter choices.
Practical Gratitude Tips for This Thanksgiving
Not sure what to be thankful for?
Watch 5 minutes for the next 50 years by Matthew McConaughey
For College Students
Be Thankful for Opportunities: Reflect on the financial aid, scholarships, or part-time jobs that have helped you pursue your education.
Action Item: Write a thank-you email to your financial aid office, a professor, or a mentor who has helped you along the way.
Budget with Gratitude: Create a list of things you already have (a roof over your head, meals, resources like Imagine Scholarships). Let this list guide your spending choices.
Action Item: Skip unnecessary holiday purchases. Instead, create meaningful, low-cost gifts for friends and family, like handwritten notes or homemade treats.
đDedicate some of your time off from school to applying for scholarships.
For High School Students
Gratitude for Support Systems: Thank your parents, teachers, or mentors who have helped you reach this point. Small acts of gratitude can go a long way in strengthening these relationships.
Action Item: Write a thank-you card or record a short video expressing your appreciation to someone who has supported you this year.
Plan Ahead: Be thankful for future opportunities, like scholarships or internships, and take steps to secure them.
Action Item: Start researching and applying for scholarships now so you can get ahead for the new year.
For Parents
Model Gratitude in Spending: Discuss how being thankful for what you have can prevent overspending during the holidays.
Action Item: Create a family âgratitude budget.â Set a limit on holiday spending and agree as a family to allocate funds toward meaningful experiences, like volunteering or a family outing.
Family Gratitude Practice: Before Thanksgiving dinner, have everyone share one financial blessing theyâre thankful for this year.
Action Item: Start a family gratitude jar. Each member adds one thing theyâre thankful for each day, and you read them together at the end of the season.
For Educators
Incorporate Gratitude into Lessons: Encourage students to write a gratitude letter to someone who has positively impacted their education.
Action Item: Create a âgratitude chainâ in your classroom. Each student adds a link with something theyâre grateful for, building a visual reminder of positivity. I know this was fun for the students when they were youngerâI say itâs time to bring it back into the classroom.
Tie Gratitude to Goals: Show students how being thankful for small wins can motivate them toward larger goals, like applying for scholarships or improving grades.
Action Item: Host a discussion about how gratitude can reduce stress and improve focus, especially during the holiday season.
Thanksgiving Challenge: A Week of Gratitude
Make plans for next week â
Monday: List three financial blessings (scholarships, job opportunities, family support).
Tuesday: Write a thank-you note or email to someone whoâs made a difference in your life.
Wednesday: Reflect on a financial mistake and find one positive lesson it taught you.
Thursday (Thanksgiving): Share what youâre thankful for during dinner.
Friday: Start a gratitude journal and commit to writing one financial blessing each week.
Quote of the Week
âGratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.â â Melody Beattie
Scholarship of the Week
Resource of the Week
Imagine Scholarships can help students find scholarships tailored to their needs, reducing educational expenses. Visit Imagine Scholarships to see how a little time spent searching can have a big impact on savings.
For a limited time, weâve brought back our $19.99 monthly subscription rate, so if youâve been on the fence about joining Imagine Scholarships, now is the time. Click here to subscribe with this amazing offer!
Looking for more scholarships? If you or your students arenât already using Imagine Scholarships, signing up is your next step. Reply to this message or email [email protected] if you have questions about signing up your group. As the leading platform for scholarships, college, career, and life readiness, we connect you to scholarships you can actually get with expert guidance to make your educational journey simple and easy.
Have a wonderful week, Imagine family. This week, when youâre making a list of areas where you can show gratitude, set aside a little time to brainstorm keywords you can use to search for scholarships. Think of words that describe you and your interests, your major and career goals. Using keywords like this to search will make it easier to apply for scholarships â the money is out there just waiting for you! Did you know our most successful students apply to 3-5 scholarships each week?
We want to know you!
With gratitude,
Sherri and Team Imagine
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