I have a few things in my life that mean more to me than their monetary value. The birthstone ring I was given by my parents on my 16th birthday. My engagement solitaire and wedding band. A diamond ring passed down to me by my grandmother. Sitting among these gems of gold and stone, sits a far more modest ring. One of silver and black, it is my most treasured material possession.Twenty-two years ago this month, I lost my younger brother in a motorcycle accident. He owned two silver rings that he wore regularly. My youngest brother and I decided to each keep one. It is the only thing of his that I have and it is precious to me.I have saved it for two decades as it represents more than his personal loss to me. It represents the loss of time. The time needed to grow and develop as a person. It represents the loss of opportunity. My brother had many talents. Where might they have taken him? And most importantly, it represents the loss of potential. What kind of man would he have become? Would he have had a child? Generations of potential were lost in one evening. Since that day, my life has been dominated by these three values – time, opportunity and potential – are how they are interconnected. I try to live my life based the power time has on opportunity and potential. Every day I live, I am keenly aware that the choices I make can impact these values. Either I move towards the goals I have or I lose traction. At the center of my goals are those who live at the center of my heart.  How I use my time can directly affects the opportunities my children have and the potential they might someday fulfill. For me, time is to be preserved and cherished just as much as an item as precious as my ring.Time spent with those at the center of my heart is what I value and I remind myself of this every time I think about my brother’s ring – it’s a powerful emotion associated with this ring and it drives what I do today and for the future. This is where my friends at Capital One come in.

Thank you Capital One for sponsoring this post! This is a paid endorsement.All opinions are mine and not directed by Capital One, it is my Universe after all.To learn more about Capital One, visit www.capitalone.com.

According to the Banking Reimagined Savings Study, sponsored by Capital One and led by Financial Psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz of Creighton University, positive memories tied to sentimental items can be harnessed to improve savings behaviors. The study found that people who were able to associate a sentimental item to their savings (the sentimental item group) were able to increase their savings rate three times (67%) compared to those people who did not make that association. The survey was conducted across five cities, including Austin, and in each city the sentimental item group reported increased savings rates that were substantially higher than the control group. In Austin, they increased their savings by 40% in just three weeks! The study and researchers hypothesize that the sentimental item group was able to develop a deeper emotional incentive for saving money through positive, emotionally-charged memories. As a result, Capital One and Dr. Klontz have some tips for people to try at home to increase their savings:

• Find a sentimental item that ties to your saving needs

1. 1. Think of an item you have kept for positive sentimental reasons and ask yourself what kind of feelings and values are associated with that item. Is it something a grandparent or parent gave you and thus tied to the importance of a loving and supportive family? Use the power of nostalgic emotion tied to your sentimental item and the identified feelings and values associated to determine how to live your values today and improve your financial savings behavior.

• When you are motivated to take action, automate it!

1. 1. For example, set up a monthly contribution from your checking account to a savings account, like Capital One’s 360 Money Market, a high-interest account. It elevates banking as a flexible, fee-free online, mobile and in-person support savings account that offers a rewarding high-interest rate and access to tools needed for long-haul savings growth.

• Consider creating some visual motivators to improve your relationship with money.

1. 1. Don’t just have a “savings account.” Name it. Have a “2018 European Family Vacation Account.”

• Explore the innovative tools and educational services available to solve money problems and meet your financial goals
  1. Capital One designed the Capital One Café experience to do just that. Available now in-branch and soon to be at the two new Capital One Cafés in Austin is Capital One’s free Money Coaching and free Money Workshops. Additionally, the Cafe spaces offer Interactive Screens where you can challenge your financial knowledge and Demo Bars where you can learn about new digital tools.

More so, Capital One is celebrating National Savings Day (today, October 12!) with the #ShareYourSave contest. I shared the story of my brother’s ring with you and Capital One wants you to share a special item with them. Via Twitter or Instagram, share a pic of your treasured keepsake and what it means to you with #ShareYourSave @contest. You could win $10,000. Yes, you read that right. There are four zeroes after that one. There is even a comma! So why wouldn’t you enter? Either way, if you start saving more, you are a winner! For details on how to enter, visit www.capitalone.com/sharemysave 

Let me know your story! I showed you mine, now you show me yours!