Thursday, December 27, 2012

Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying



A weird title for a financial blog post. I know.  However, I just finished watching "Shawshank Redemption" and at the end of the movie when Morgan Freeman says “Get busy living, or get busy dying.” strikes a chord with me.  Get busy living or get busy dying.  Put into personal finance terms, get busy fixing your financial situation or get used to being broke and all that goes with it (e.g. – frustration, worry, anxiety).  

It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, retired or somewhere in between.  You should be in control of your financial life regardless of age.  It’s never too early and it’s never too late!  If you’re younger, you’ll have an easier time setting good habits and sticking to them.  The older you are the harder it may be; lifestyle, expectations, and old habits could make it difficult for you to make those difficult decisions you’ll be facing. 

The hard choices you’ll face and the decisions you’ll make will ultimately decide your financial future.  Do you have too much car? Will you trade down? Do you have too much house/apartment?  Will you downsize? Do you live like you make more money than you do? Will you cut your lifestyle?  These are the questions you’ll have to ask yourself and the hard choices that will undoubtedly follow.  Will you make that tough decision that will relieve the anxiety causing your sleepless nights?  Will you make that tough decision that will remove the worry from your life?  Will you make that tough decision that ultimately gives you control and not frustration?  You can do this, it is not complicated!  It’s hard but it’s not complicated.

Getting your finances in order is not rocket science!  It takes time but it’s not rocket science!  Take a look through the posts on this blog.  Visit other blogs like GetRichSlowly.org. Read “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey.  Feed yourself the information that you’ll need to formulate a plan.  Then execute that plan!  Anyone can make a plan; it takes guts to step out of your comfort zone and execute that plan.  

If you need a reason, it’s the perfect time of year to call it a New Year’s resolution!  I don’t care what you call it; get busy doing something about it! Make the choice!  Get busy living or get busy dying...

Update:

So a few months ago I mentioned that I was gonna take a shot at the market.  Well, I did and I did pretty well.  I made about just over 20% by not fighting the fed.  It was a forgone conclusion that the Fed was going to initiate another QE so I jumped in a few gold stocks and rode them up and jumped out when I had made enough.  I’m on the sidelines now until after the fiscal cliff gets figured out.

Also, our mold is gone!  The basement and attic are clean!  The kitchen has been installed!  The work is done, except for some painting.  Now the fun part, paying off the debt!  We’re not worried because we have a plan.  Thanks to those who dropped notes of support!  They were very much appreciated!