I realize that yesterday's post was about Christmas, but today I'm going to post about taking the time to enjoy the summer. (In fact, the reason that I promote planning ahead is that it gives you the freedom to actually enjoy each season of the year without freaking out about last minute tasks.)

I don't know about you, but I usually have big plans at the start of the summer. I'm going to take advantage of all that summer has to offer — visiting farm stands and canning produce, enjoying the outdoors, completing projects, socializing, etc. Then summer arrives and I get busy and distracted and my travel schedule kicks in and, before I know it, it's late August and I've not done anything that I wanted to do.

With June starting this weekend, it's time to take steps to ensure that this summer will be different. This weekend, make at least 3 firm commitments of things you want to do this summer and write them in your calendar. Maybe you can invote some friends to a barbecue or a pool party. Or you could research free summer concerts, movie series, or festivals and make plans to attend. Commit to completing an indoor project on your first free rainy day.

Money experts tell us to pay ourselves first, meaning to put money toward savings as a top priority. In the same way, we need to schedule time for the things that are important to us. We can make more money, but we can't make more time.

So, what plans will you make?