You’re running a race. You’re tired, thirsty, dripping with sweat, but you’re almost there. If you push yourself a little further, you’ll have the sweet victory you’ve been craving. Suddenly, you get a leg cramp. Do you push through to the end or give it all up and nurse the cramp?
We’ve walked through a couple of tough scenarios (if you’re new, check these posts out: The Sting of Debt and Creditors Calling). You’ve heard what debt can do to you financially, mentally, and to your family. Now you have a choice. You can keep a blind eye to what is happening with your money. You can continue living paycheck to paycheck. You can enjoy the vacations and new cars on credit cards and financing. Maybe you will be able to balance all the payments and enjoy everything you want right now. You can avoid learning about finances. You can keep going and hopefully it’ll all work out for you. However, I’ve seen too many people get stuck in this trap. I’ve seen people have nervous breakdowns because of their finances. I’ve heard that people get divorced because of financial problems. It could be overspending, not knowing where it’s going, not having enough, or pure ignorance and lack of understanding of what to do with it. I have watched people amass debt upon debt, feeling like they’re doing okay, and then being confronted with a job loss or illness and losing everything because they couldn’t keep up with the lifestyle they were living.
I don’t tell you all of these things to make you fear. It’s not worth it. I’ve come out of that lifestyle and never want to return. The only reason I list all of these things is to make you aware; to wake you up to the realities of how things can change in an instant. I want to be able to show you that it is possible to learn how to deal with finances.
I almost failed math in high school. I couldn’t understand some of the concepts and I was overwhelmed, so I chose to stay away from it as much as possible. Add dealing with personal finances to the mix, and I would instantly panic. I was like you. I thought that if I had money in the bank, I could figure things out. Yet, I always had that fear in the back of my mind that I wouldn’t make it. I would hold on tight to my money. But, that’s not the way to live. I don’t want that for you or for me. I am living proof that anyone can learn how to control your money, gain freedom, and grow finances into a healthy and wealthy state. It takes changing your mindset and behaviour. It’s reminding yourself over and over again that you can do this! Regardless of how much you make, and how much you might have to sacrifice for a time, you can get ahead and enjoy life. You can help your marriage and bring peace to your family.
“Through discipline comes freedom” – Aristotle
So, are you with me? Are you ready to buckle down and fight to take back control? Are you willing to work hard, wrestle your debt, and come out victorious? When you get there, you will feel the satisfaction of total freedom; of never owing anyone anything ever again! You will be able to fully purchase the nice car, take the vacations, bless people generously, and do all the things that you’ve wanted to do, but this time without the guilt, fear, and shame following you around every corner and decision.
I let poor choices of the past remind me of why I commit to learning and making wise choices with my finances today. I’ve done the hard work of paying off my debt and tasting the sweet victory of freedom on the other side. However, there are always new goals! My husband and I are embarking on the adventure of paying off our mortgage! I don’t consider this bad debt. It is an investment. However, it is still money that we are paying out month after month. When it’s gone, it will give us further freedom and blessing. So, we’ve decided to go after it and conquer this ‘debt’ too! We’re now over halfway there. I am excited about the process. It has been tough and money has been tight at times, but we have stayed focused. You can do it too! You’ve got to find a dream that you want and set a goal to reach it! Find out what your ‘why’ is and let’s go after it!
