Who's Your Goose?

You haven’t heard of Top Gun?At 35, I do not consider myself “old,” yet recently I recounted my love for the 1986 movie classic, Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise (before he became a couch jumping, Scientology supporting crazy man) to a 26-year-old friend of mine. To my great dismay, I discovered that she had not seen the movie, and barely knew the reference I was making. If you are like my friend and you have in fact not watched the cheesy brilliance of Top Gun, please stop reading this right now and proceed directly to your most convenient streaming source (Netflix, I-Tunes, Cable, Satellite) and rent this movie. The volleyball scene in the middle is worth the $4 alone. If you have seen this movie, then you know are aware of the nickname, Goose. He is probably one of the greatest movie buddies of all time. In the movie, Goose, was known as a “REO” or navigator on a fighter jet. It is a REO’s job to be another set of eyes on the plane to make sure that the pilot is fully aware of all of the risks surrounding him while flying. As you can imagine, this is an important relationship as the pilot is truly entrusting his life in the REO, and vice versa.A Financial Buddy Can Save Your LifeEven though it did not end well for Goose, I bring up the importance of a buddy like this because I believe it is important to have a buddy when you are trying to become financially fit. Two years ago, I was 50 pounds overweight, and I joined Weight Watchers. In 8 months, I achieved my weight loss goals, and I fully attribute it to the fact that my husband, Bill, was my weight loss buddy. He kept me on track and had my back through the entire process. Even when he achieved his goal, he continued to partner with me until I achieved mine. I believe the same relationship is absolutely necessary for achieving financial fitness. If you are in a relationship and one of you is a saver and one is a spender, it is difficult to get ahead and for you to achieve all of your goals as a team. If you are trying to save, but you have friends who are constantly trying to get you to go out and spend money, then it will be difficult for you to achieve your savings goals.Make an Effort to Find Your BuddySo, I challenge all of you to find your Goose where financial fitness is concerned. Partner with someone and share your goals with each other. Then work together as a team to make sure you both achieve your goals. Your Goose does not have to be a spouse or significant other, but it is always nice to have each other’s backs like that. Whoever your Goose is, choose someone you would trust with your life because your financial health is truly as important as your physical health and that person should feel the same way. If you agree to be someone’s Goose, you should have their back and help them make smart financial choices. If your Maverick has a tough time sticking to them, look for ways to help him or her with those challenges. Financial health, as in many areas of life, is so much more fun and achievable with the help and support of people we love.  Do you already have a Goose? If so, let me know. Let me know what you do to support each other. If not, find one and have each other’s backs so you can achieve the most out of life possible.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNR_HofJ_Fs