What does the thought: “Focus on Your Money” bring to mind for you? Let’s take a look at what money, or lack of it, and how it really effects our true independence. If we are really truthful, most of us are in debt. While we would love to be out of debt, are we willing to do what it takes? Or, are we overwhelmed with that prospect? Maybe we are even ashamed to be in debt. Yet, the thought of deprivation, hard work, and years of struggle, are not THAT appealing!
Maybe the lack of money is not the main problem. Maybe we just need to focus on the process. Maybe, it is not that hard to fix the lack of money problem. Maybe we don’t have to suffer. Maybe, you just need to “focus on your money”. Consider this analogy: Picture yourself being pulled in all directions. You are fixing dinner, and someone comes to the door. Then your child comes in, screaming that he is dying, when in reality, he has fallen, and skinned his knee. Then you realize your chicken that you are cooking, is burning, and as you rescue that, your spouse calls, to let you know he cannot pick up your daughter at the sports event, so he needs you to drop everything, and go pick her up. We could add a lot more to this, but you get the picture. You are going in a million different directions, getting nothing accomplished. So, how powerful, and in control would you feel?
Maybe, that is what we are doing with our money. We have our money going in so many directions, that it is not accomplishing anything! So, it is our lack of focus that prolongs our money problems.
Let’s say you are paying an extra $25.00 a month on one bill, an extra $25.00 on another bill, and an extra $50.00 dollars on yet another one. You are actually diffusing the power of your extra payments. Instead, if you take that $100.00 and apply it to the bill that has the highest interest rate, get that paid off faster, then apply that $100.00 plus what your payment was for that initial bill, apply that to your next highest interest bill, and pay that off faster…you are now creating a snowball effect. The amazing thing is that you are paying the exact same amount, dollar wise, but you are getting out of debt much faster, there by saving all that money you would have been paying out for interest payments! Here is the great part…you are paying the SAME AMOUNT each month, that you were paying before, but you are now focused in one direction!
Take this one step further…Once you are debt free, take that snowball, and invest it! The amount of money you are spending each month would never change…BUT the results would! Friends, THAT is the power available to each and every one of us…when you focus on your money, focus in one direction, and become independent of debt. Let us know how you “focus on your money”.
To Your Success…
Judy and Robin
10. June 2011 at 8:10 am
You’re right, the problem is, that our culture today the encourages me and you to live the lives above average. We have offer to all payments to buy things in their price is more than what we may now have to spend, and need a lot of willpower to stand on what that you write here.
It’s true, or is it just me?
bili osi´s last [type] ..What lighting do you need to produce good crops of long-term
10. June 2011 at 12:21 pm
Hi Bili…
You are so right…our culture today encourages us to live way beyond our means. Just take a look at the debt our government has! When putting my thoughts together for this blog post, it really became clear to me, that we are truly a prisioner when we are in debt. There is no freedom, in putting all of your hard earned money, into the pockets of the lender. So the decision is…do I REALLY need this item, or would I rather wait until I can pay for it. Many things can wait. A trick that I learned, is to not purchase anything immediately when I see or want it. Other than a TRUE emergency, I make myself wait 24 hours. Then if I “still” feel I really need it, I will go purchase it. 99% of the time I don’t return to buy it. So much of our time and money is spent on “spur of the moment” gratification, and many people find that it can cause great misery to them, in the end. Debt is NO FUN!
12. June 2011 at 2:41 pm
Very interesting article, and of course money is a topic near and dear to us on one level or another. To me it’s all about freedom – it can’t buy health or love or peace of mind – but it can buy a hell of a lot of freedom to allow you to work on the stuff that really matters.
Marquita Herald´s last [type] ..Why You are Amazing Just the Way You Are
14. June 2011 at 11:54 pm
This is some great financial advice, we have all heard to pay down debt and invest more, but this article gives some good clean perspective. Great ideas to pay down some bills too!
16. June 2011 at 12:37 am
After reading your quality post, I realized my focus on money has been one of lack and confusion. My personal finances are controlled week to week. My business finances however are where the confusion and lack comes in. Maybe you or a reader can offer some perspective: My business is one that offers service and depends on donations in order to grow. The next few month are critical as there is a goal of non-profit status staring at me
My confusion, why is it that no one wants to give(donate)even a small amount to a worthy cause? My focus on lack is simply concentrating on the fact no one is donating. Any advice on how to adjust my mindset or help others adjust theirs in order to watch donations grow?
Thank you for bringing this point to the attention of your readers -
Terrific Tonya Heathco, National Seizure Disorders Foundation
Terrific Tonya Heathco´s last [type] ..NSDF- Our Position in a World of Ignorance