Author: Glenn S. Ferguson
"You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers." - Les Brown
You will agree that no matter what, one way or the other we all are touched by money. And when you think about it, more relationships break up over money than all other reasons combined!
These are tough times. People are looking for help to manage their finances, to earn more, to spend less, and invest wisely. In order to have any success in life you MUST first learn how to "Take control" of your money.
Money is the tool you use to achieve most of your dreams. It can either unlock your future, or lock you into a future that you do not want resulting in frustration, insecurity and unhappiness.
It is amazing to see the 'stupid mistakes' we make with our money. In free market society each person is responsible for their financial future. This means "You" are responsible for your incomes, your spending, your saving habits, and your investments. Unfortunately we:
- FAIL to teach ourselves and our children how to manage money!
- Don't teach money management or investing in our school, and
- Don't read, study or master saving and financial planning as adults!
Resulting in so many of us struggling with our finances throughout our life and worst at retirement!
This is why financial planning is so important. It will help you to get a handle on your credit, your debt, your income, your plans and your future.
More and more I realize that becoming financially independent is not difficult, others have done it and you can too. All that is required are some basic skills, a solid plan, and you working each day to achieve it.
It won't happen unless you determine in your mind that it is what you want and get started on doing it.
Getting started seems to be the most difficult challenge for you, you want the changes but because you have become so comfortable in your current state, you usually lack the will to take action.
So you procrastinate and plan to do it tomorrow because of the unpleasantness of the work that may be involved, but once you decide to take action, you will realize that it is easier than you think.
Yes, it does take some work but think of the rewards "financial freedom!"
No matter where you are in life, if you would start better money manage you would be surprise at what you can achieve in a reasonably short period of time.
Like most things in life financial independence starts with a made up mind. I have been told that there is nothing as powerful as a made up mind- those of you who have teenagers know this oh so well. Nothing is easy but neither is anything accomplished unless you make up your mind and begin taking action.
Start by getting mentally prepared. Changing those habits that you have developed over ten's of years, will not be easy. Remember the options, a secure future or an unsecured future. Which would you rather?
Once you've prepared yourself mentally then it is time to begin planning, as the saying goes "failure to plan is planning to fail." Begin by making a list of affirmations or positive thoughts, so you'll remember where you are going.
Here is a list you can use. Remember to read them every morning and evening for the next thirty days:
- I will set my financial goals and know how I'm going to get there within 30 days (insert date of day 30).
- I will gather the information I need before I begin.
- I will use all the resources available to me to help me with my planning.
- I will work every free evening until my financial plan is done.
- I know that completing my plan will make me feel better about my finances and myself.
To reinforce the importance of getting your financial planning done, I'll share with you a story that I have made a part of my financial and retirement presentations.
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire so he told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the construction field and live a leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his children and grandchildren. He would miss the pay cheque, but was tired working and needed to retire. He felt they could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. And after inspectinghe handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you." The carpenter was shocked! What a shame!
If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with you - You build your lives, a day at a time, often putting less that your best into the building. Then with shock you realize you have to live in the house you have built. If you could do it over, you'd do it much differently. But you cannot go back.
So don't ever forget that "Life is a do-it-yourself project." You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a block, or erect a wall with your attitudes and the choices you make to build the "house" you will live in tomorrow.
"When freedom prevails, the ingenuity and inventiveness of people creates incredible wealth. This is the source of the natural improvement of the human condition." - Brian S. Wesbury
Copyright © 2004 - Glenn S. Ferguson
About the Author:
Glenn S. Ferguson is a Speaker, Coach and Syndicated Writer, helping you to painlessly manage your Money, to create wealth for you and your family. Email to glenn@financialcoachingwithglenn.com Website: www.financialcoachingwithglenn.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com -
Financial Planning -The Key To Taking Control of Your Money
