money

Priorities…why I make the decisions I do

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Priorities, we all have them. But are they the right ones? I mean I know some people think by having the new gadget or new thing it is the best thing in the world. But when you go to bed at night and can’t sleep because you are under so much stress to keep up with the “Joneses” is that new thing really worth it?

Don’t get me wrong I don’t do without. I am not living in a cave somewhere with out internet or a smartphone. I am not driving a down and out beater that I do not know if it will get me from point a to b. But what I do know, I never go and buy something the first time I see it either. My last car purchase which was 4 years ago, took me 1 year and half to make sure I could afford it before I went and bought it. I made sure I had the money, even though I did borrow, to pay it off in a short period of time. The catch here is I made a plan. I made sure I could do it before I did it. We own a house which we intend to have paid off within the next 7 years. We started out with the typical mortgage when first bought the house. A few years later, we did a refinance and now are on our way to paying it off and should be well before either of us are ready to retire. Does any of this mean we are “rich” no it just means we have a “plan” for everything we do. Does it mean we don’t go on trips or have nice things? No it means we make sure it fits into our budget and we plan ahead of time before doing anything. What it does mean is that we don’t sacrifice ourselves to get the “latest” in anything. We are patient and we know in the end we are able to live a life where we have everything we need and want.

I make these choices because I do not want to be “old ” and still have a mortgage to deal with. I don’t want my kids if something should happen to me to have to deal with all sorts of bills. I don’t want to be burdened as I get older to have to worry where am I going to have to turn to pay my medical bills or medication. I have seen what can happen to people as they get older if they did not plan the “uneventful” and “eventual” things that do happen. I am not going to allow myself to fall into that position.

I am not saying all this to brag about my financial decisions or our financial well being. Because honestly, we make mistakes. I just hate when “people” are jealous and try to cause problems. Especially when they could have the same life if not better if they had made better choices. I’m not saying things do not happen because they do. Anything can and usually does happen. I understand when you have been put into a situation where it can be almost impossible to come out of. But you can…you just have to want to. You can’t expect to be helped and then go and make the same choices again to put yourself in the same position. Then cry about how bad your life is. That’s what they call a “vicious circle”. You have to want to break it. Step back and reevaluate what is worth it in your life. Set goals. Set priorities. Most of all make a plan.