What Are You Working For?
_We’ve all had That Day – the alarm doesn’t go off, the kids are late to school, we’re late to work… and the whole way there, we’re wondering why we have a job in the first place. Most of our money is eaten up by debts, living expenses and who know what. Where’s the fun in that? Shouldn’t we just give it all up and disappear to a tropical Island somewhere?
Most of us feel we’re running in a rat race because we are. We get caught up working long hours just for the sake of working, simply because we have no idea what we are working for. So, the first step in understanding why you’re working is determining where your paycheck goes.
“Oh, not another lecture about a budget!” you groan.
No. This is not about putting yourself on a budget. We all know that feels like deprivation. This is about freeing up your income to invest in the little luxuries that will enrich your life.
Grab a pen and paper. Just do it – no one’s looking. Now, make a list of five things that, if you had them, would make you feel like a million bucks. Make these things as outlandish as you possibly can. We’re talking a personal servant to wait on your every need, a lavish cruise around the world, a closet filled with designer frocks beyond your wildest imaginings… etc. etc.
Now that you’ve completed that list, look it over. Think about all the things you’ve written. Now, rewrite your list with those five items reduced to something you could obtain within the next year. For example, if the list read “Own a Ferrari” and you couldn’t own a Ferrari in the next year unless you robbed a bank (hard to drive that Ferrari in prison!), jot down “Rent a Ferrari for the weekend.” Do this with all of your suggestions, reducing the outlandish to the realistic.
Once you’re finished, consider what you’ve written. Right in front of you are five major things that could make you feel like a million bucks. What are you going to do to make them a reality? By taking the steps to make these five things, or even just one of these five things a part of your life, you will suddenly understand the purpose behind having money in the first place.
Here’s a suggestion on how to put money aside for these fun ideas - get an envelope, a jar or separate bank account. Every two weeks, take out just $30-50. This is the amount all of us easily fritter away on lattes, an extra glass of wine with dinner or that cute scarf we never wear. Set that money aside and before you know it, you’ll have the cash to splurge on that dream idea you thought you could never obtain.
Wealth is a funny thing. It’s defined in so many different ways but ultimately, one definition is “the state of being rich.” If you take the time to be aware of what you’re working for, you will grow to appreciate money and invest in the most important thing of all – your happiness.
Most of us feel we’re running in a rat race because we are. We get caught up working long hours just for the sake of working, simply because we have no idea what we are working for. So, the first step in understanding why you’re working is determining where your paycheck goes.
“Oh, not another lecture about a budget!” you groan.
No. This is not about putting yourself on a budget. We all know that feels like deprivation. This is about freeing up your income to invest in the little luxuries that will enrich your life.
Grab a pen and paper. Just do it – no one’s looking. Now, make a list of five things that, if you had them, would make you feel like a million bucks. Make these things as outlandish as you possibly can. We’re talking a personal servant to wait on your every need, a lavish cruise around the world, a closet filled with designer frocks beyond your wildest imaginings… etc. etc.
Now that you’ve completed that list, look it over. Think about all the things you’ve written. Now, rewrite your list with those five items reduced to something you could obtain within the next year. For example, if the list read “Own a Ferrari” and you couldn’t own a Ferrari in the next year unless you robbed a bank (hard to drive that Ferrari in prison!), jot down “Rent a Ferrari for the weekend.” Do this with all of your suggestions, reducing the outlandish to the realistic.
Once you’re finished, consider what you’ve written. Right in front of you are five major things that could make you feel like a million bucks. What are you going to do to make them a reality? By taking the steps to make these five things, or even just one of these five things a part of your life, you will suddenly understand the purpose behind having money in the first place.
Here’s a suggestion on how to put money aside for these fun ideas - get an envelope, a jar or separate bank account. Every two weeks, take out just $30-50. This is the amount all of us easily fritter away on lattes, an extra glass of wine with dinner or that cute scarf we never wear. Set that money aside and before you know it, you’ll have the cash to splurge on that dream idea you thought you could never obtain.
Wealth is a funny thing. It’s defined in so many different ways but ultimately, one definition is “the state of being rich.” If you take the time to be aware of what you’re working for, you will grow to appreciate money and invest in the most important thing of all – your happiness.