This is the last of a 5 post series on getting your budget under control. In case you are just joining me, here are the first four steps. They contain some very useful spreadsheets in trying to analyze your current situation:
Step One: Decide It’s Time for the Truth
Step Two: Where Your Money is Now
Step Three: Take a Look at Your Debt
Step Four: Make a Plan
So now for Step 5. To quote Nike “Just Do It.” Like anything else in life worth doing, handling your finances is worth doing well. You have crunched the numbers and taken a hard look at where you are.
It’s time to focus on the future. What are your goals? Being debt free? Retiring at 40? Paying cash for your child’s education? Every time you want to eat fast food but don’t have the money in your food budget, think about that goal. Every time you get into your sensible fully paid for car and your neighbor peels out of his driveway in a flashy leased sports car, think about that goal.
To quote one of my favorite films: “You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet.” Your things do not make you who you are. Choose to invest in your future instead of stuff.
Decide today is the day to make the change.
