Do you know what you really want? I’m referring to the things you want to own, the places you want to visit, the activities you’d like to invest in, etc.
Consider: If you were to make a list of these items and divide them into three columns, “must have”, “should have”, and “be nice to have”, what would the ratio be? 30/30/40 or 80/10/10 or…
I challenge you to try this exercise. You might be surprised. And I’m guessing that if you looked at your list when it’s complete, you might replace some of the words with other words, and you might erase some items all together.
Here’s a little PDF to download with those three columns – click HERE – and print!
Why am I suggesting this activity?
Too often we have these unspecified “wants” floating around in our head, and it leads to feeling dissatisfied with where we currently are.
Here are 3 ways you might combat that feeling of dissatisfaction:
From reading and experience, I’m realizing that
- defining your needs versus wants,
- learning positive personal finance habits,
- and being thankful for exactly what I have right now
are powerful tools in the fight to feel a positive movement forward in finances. Am I there right now? Nope. But I’m progressing.
Personal Finance: It isn’t about getting rich. Learning personal finance is about using money as a tool to get what you actually want.
What about personal finance “teachers” or models?
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace program is a valuable tool to move forward in your personal finances.
I receive an email every day from an accountant who focuses on Rich Habits. He describes what he has discovered after years of researching the daily success habits of his wealthiest clients Nothing he suggests is woo-woo or get-rich-quick, rather the habits he suggests are quite logical and do-able for anyone at any age or stage. I’ve also read a couple of his easy-to-read books. I’m guessing it’s nothing we’ve not heard before, but he does have a very down-to-earth way of stating things. And his habits encompass much more than doing stuff with dollars and cents. But it all makes sense.
Do you have any personal finance people you’ve learned from and would recommend?
Could you share what you like about those people/programs? This is an area in which I’d like to grow in a positive way, and maybe your recommendation could add value to all of us! Please leave a comment!
However, just to be clear, security does not come from money, rather we should seek God’s wisdom.
Those who trust in their riches will fall,
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
