Archive for April 2006

How much is enough?

When will you have enough? Is it when you finally own your home? How about when you finally get to purchase that awesome boat? What about a vacation home? What about when you own your own business? What about when you own a farm? Is it when you hit $1,000,000 in the investment account? What about $10,000,000? What about $100,000,000? What about $1,000,000,000?

It is said that John D. Rockefeller, billionaire oilman of the early 20th century, was asked how much money was enough? His response? “Just one more dollar.” WOW!

If you make money the object of your full attention, you will never be satisfied. Money at its very best enables you to help the less fortunate and accomplish great things for others. Money at is very worst leads to brutal deadly conflict.

Choose today to view your money as a resource. You have been hired as its manager? If you are the manager of your money, would you fire you? Make the choice to help others. Make the choice to wisely consider the opportunity cost of using your money. Make the choice to be a manager of resources. Do not allow your life to be driven for “just one more dollar.”

How much is enough for me? I have clothes, food, shelter, and transportation which puts me in the top 1% of the world’s population. I guess that means that $6.90 is enough for me.

Why do you want to be financially free?

Do you ever wonder why I write so much about becoming financially free?

I want to become financially free because I believe that I am a better person when I am not living paycheck to paycheck. I believe that I am a better husband when I am not worried about where the money is coming from to pay a past due bill. I believe that I am a better father when I am not juggling payments from week to week to prevent a check from bouncing. I believe that I am a better employee when I do not have to struggle to make it to the next paycheck. I believe that I am a better employee when I do not have to hold four jobs just to make ends meet. I believe that I am better able to accomplish God’s specific plan for my life when I am not bound by debt. I believe that I honor God when I practice good stewardship with the resources He has given me to manage. It clearly states in Proverbs 22:7 that the “borrower is servant to the lender”. When you are a servant, it changes who you are!

I believe that I am better able to give to worthy causes when I am financially fit. I believe that I am better able to focus on accomplishing my life’s work when I can focus on the task at hand without worrying about a check being able to clear. I believe that I free up more time when I can pay all of my monthly bills at one time. More time equals better opportunities to be a better spouse, father, and leader.

I truly believe that being financially free is not about money. My financial situation is an outcome based on a set of inputs. If I am financially free, it means that I am effectively managing the resources within my control. If I am not financially free, it means that I am not effectively managing the resources within my control.

I want to accomplish my life’s passion statement – “To help others accomplish far more than they ever thought possible!” – To do this, I must be financially free. If I am not financially free, I will not be able to focus on helping others. Yes, it has meant sacrificing personal wants. Yes, it has meant delaying pleasure.

But it is not about me! It is about achieving what I was put on this earth to do!

Unexpected money

If you have a detailed financial plan (a monthly zero-based budget) and you receive unexpected money, you will know exactly where that money can be put to good use. If you do not have a plan, there is a good chance that the money will leave you quickly.

Marketers understand our ability to impulse purchase when we receive unexpected money. To ensure that an unexpectedly large tax return is not used elsewhere, car dealerships will do your taxes for you if you use the tax refund as your down payment. Lottery winners are approached by many who have a “great deal” for them. Those who receive an inheritance are suddenly offered “opportunities” that did not previously exist. If a large company gives out bonuses every Christmas, the employees are all marketed to by the local stores and businesses to get them to spend the bonus at their store.

I believe that if we receive an unexpected money and there is no plan, then it is not going to be a financial help to us. It will only allow us to acquire more junk that we will later sell at a yard sale or give away to Goodwill. If we do have a plan (a monthly zero-based budget), we will improve our chances at gaining financial freedom.

Do you ever receive unexpected money? Do you have a plan?