Last week we looked at money, and what it means to each of us. We discovered that money is just not a “word in the dictionary” . Money, also represents an emotion to most of us. Can we have freedom, and independence without money? Can we have it with money?
Freedom and independence are held in high regard, especially with people who tend to have an entrepreneurial spirit, and for those of us who like to work for themselves. Have you ever given thought to the idea that working for yourself, or having a free spirit…could actually make you less independent, and less free, if you have debt in your lives? Let’s take a look at debt, and how it can effect your life.
Debt can be a claim against your future. It can claim your future earnings, your future time, and worse…your life’s energy! If you have ANY debt, of any kind…you have a claim against your future, that leads to dependence and fear…NOT the independence and freedom you are looking for!
That claim against your future earnings will require you to make a certain amount of money, in your future, or you will be in trouble! So, if you want to quit your job, or change careers, to one more fulfilling… but not as profitable… you will quickly see that it is not possible. You don’t have that freedom, because you have to pay your bills.
As a result of debt, we are no longer FREE and INDEPENDENT. We can keep making more money in business, or elsewhere, but if we have debt, we will not be free. EVER! It is a trap that will suffocate our spirits! The good news is…we don’t have to be in debt and the way out, does not require struggle, hard work, or deprivation. What IS required, is commitment. Commitment to make a change. It can truly be as easy as that!
To Your Success…
Judy and Robin
12. October 2010 at 10:41 pm
Great, great series here. People do look at money in different ways. Making money is how we all have to make a living in this world, but I like to put more emphasis on helping others.
I believe that the money will come if you take that approach.
~ Tim
Tim Colletti´s last [type] ..Why You Should Use WordPress For Your Business
13. October 2010 at 9:14 am
Hi Tim…
Thanks so much for your thoughts. Money is a very interesting item isn’t it? With it, we can do wonderful things in life, but without it, we can do wonderful things in life. Congratulations on putting more emphasis on helping others. “Living-a-life-that-matters” is so important!
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
13. October 2010 at 1:27 pm
One way that I try to stay out of debt is by refusing to use traditional credit cards. I use a pre-paid card for online purchases. The way I see it, if I don’t have enough cash to make a purchase, I don’t make the purchase. The only exception to my little rule is my car.
That policy may change once I’m earning enough that paying off my credit cards every month is effortless. I just don’t like debt hanging over my head. It truly is a freedom stealer!
Wendy
Wendy Hewlett´s last [type] ..The Difference a Friend Makes
15. October 2010 at 8:07 pm
Good for you Wendy! We are with you 100% If I can’t afford it, I don’t buy it. It can be that simple. But, like you said, things happen, emergencies crop up, and we need cash immediately. Credit cards, by themselves, are not a bad thing. It can be used when needed most. But, like you said….we pay the price for debt. It will steal your freedom, and hang over your head like a big weight. No fun at all…
To our success, always….
Judy and Robin
13. October 2010 at 11:43 pm
Tis true and I am a living example. I started out in my twenties using a credit card to survive and slowly it choked the life out of me. There were plenty of other challenges but pitifulness attracts pitifulness and the lack of money led to other things. As a now debt free person I can see the difference and implore people to make a weekly budget where you take cash out at the beginning of the week and that’s all you have to spend that week. Such a better way to live.
Mark Hiatt´s last [type] ..How To Get Out Of A Conversation
15. October 2010 at 8:12 pm
Hi Mark…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Yes, so many of us fell into the debt trap. When we are young, we just don’t see the long term effect of what it will do to us. But it will steal every ounce of freedom, and sometimes even our self worth. Don’t you enjoy life so much more, now that you are debt free? I sure do. Your idea of taking out enough to live on, is so important. We can do without so many things, and still have what really makes us happy!
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin
14. October 2010 at 1:18 am
Hi Judy
I was at a presentation last night for my Church. A prominent member of the wallmart group shared with us worrying statistics about food and energy security and the population growth. The national debt of the U.S. is 13 trillion dollars and the uk 3 trillion dollars. This is indicating that we are losing control of the financial situation in both countries. Fuel is running out. Food production is dependent upon oil.
This is sure proof that we can get things out of perspective. Material wealth matters not in the end. Life is much more than “stuff” and “dodads”.Stuff that warms my heart is what is important to me. Things that lift my spirit: service and love. ….
sorry, going off on one.
Great post…as you can see it has caused me to think.
Thank you and best wishes
Peter
peter chapman´s last [type] ..Network Marketing Leads
15. October 2010 at 8:16 pm
Hi Peter…
Your thoughts are totally welcome here. We are trying to “live-a-life-that-matters”, and understand ideas about service and love. “Stuff”, of course, can be fun, and for many, it fills a momentary void. But at the end of each day, they are looking for more stuff, and more stuff, and more stuff. Pretty soon, we have lots of stuff, but no substance. Thanks for stopping by, and sharing your thoughts with us.
To your success, always…
Judy and Robin