As a personal financial coach, I’ve learned a thing or two about what people really want when it comes to their money. Ask anyone what they would want if they had tons of cash. You’ll hear the standard answers:
- A new, fancy car
- A 60” 3D LED TV
- A vacation in France (or Hawaii or Australia)
- A hillside or beachfront house
Besides the luxuries and toys (which are perfectly fine to want and have), I’ve also learned that most people genuinely want to do some good in this world. Most people, if they had the money, would love to:
- Donate to worthy charities
- Give to their church
- Help the less fortunate in their community
- Help a struggling loved one
There are countless ways to answer the question: “What would you do if you had more money?”
But every single answer falls under the heading of the 2 things everyone really wants: Freedom and Control!
Financial Freedom
Every person I know that isn’t already wealthy wishes they had more freedom with their money. What would financial freedom mean for you? How about the freedom to choose when and where to spend your money, the freedom to purchase the things you really want, the option to stay home with your kids, to give generously, to quit the job you hate and pursue your passions, hobbies or business ideas, and to experience the best of what this world has to offer?
Financial Control
Those same people, including you and me, desperately want to have control over their finances. What would it look like for you to have financial control? How would it feel to have control of your full income, control of your spending, of your financial future, your security, your opportunities, your career, your legacy?
If these are the two things everyone wants, what’s keeping you from having them?
Debt
If you’re in debt, you need to face the reality that you are being robbed of financial freedom. When you’re in debt, you’ve promised to pay a portion of your income every month until the debt is paid off. When you’re debt free, the only person who decides what you do with your money is you!
Unbalanced Budget
If you don’t live on a budget, you’re not in control of how you spend your money. We’re all guilty of making spur-of-the-moment, “if it feels good do it” decisions with our money. Without proactively planning how you’ll spend each month’s income, it’s unlikely that your spending matches up with what you really want in life.
No Emergency Fund
If you don’t have a solid emergency fund, you have no control over your financial security. But when you have money set aside for emergencies, unexpected expenses no longer control your financial situation. Even setting aside just $1,000 is a great start.
No Retirement Plan
If you aren’t investing for retirement, you’re sacrificing your future freedom. Do you really want to continue working into your 70’s because you have to? Do you want to sacrifice your freedom in your golden years by not preparing now?
When it comes to your money, freedom and control are absolutely within reach, but no one’s going to hand you these gifts wrapped in shiny paper with a bow on top. You have to work for them! Make the decision to take back your financial freedom and control today!
Schedule an appoint with us to get started today. We can be reached at (973) 440-8095 or you can schedule online by clicking here.
Looking forward to my own financial freedom this coming year
Not being in control of finances is a scary place to be and I’m working my way out of it gradually. Looking forward to the freedom it will afford.
Great points here…so important to acknowledge exactly how we are NOT experiencing financial freedom. In our lives it’s our dependence on government assistance–in 2012 we are getting OFF all assistance
That will feel SO amazing!
Great post, Gregg. Financial control and keeping a budget is so important. It’s easy to get lost in a sea of auto-debits and receipts and not realize what you spend. Very useful tips and thanks!
Such an important post, thanks for sharing.
This is a wonderful post, Gregg! Being in control over your financial situation is paramount! Having a budget/financial plan is a great start to being in managing your personal financial life!
Great post. Being able to control your finances and control your own life is so important and one of the keys to true success.
Great post, Gregg! Looking forward to having my own financial control to enjoy its freedom..
Love this statement because it is so true and is what really robs of us so much in life.
“If you’re in debt, you need to face the reality that you are being robbed of financial freedom. “
What a great post and reminder for all of us! It is so sad to see that for many people, financial worries is what brings about the most stress on a day to day basis. Thanks for sharing your great tips!
Thanks for the interesting post on Freedom. Financial debt is such a curse! Thanks for sharing.
The LEARNED Preneur @ NormaDoiron.NET
Amen to that!
I want financial freedom and financial control.
How good it must feel to be able to have those two things, to be able to help others who need help. To have the satisfaction of knowing your hard work has enabled somebody to have food to eat or water to drink, or to find somewhere to sleep.
Charities are the only hope that some people have! I want to be a part of that.
The things that stand in my way, are as you said. It’s difficult.
Gaining control of your finances is the perfect way to start the new year. Thanks for the great advice!
Thanks for sharing Gregg. Planning the future and having the freedom to do the things I’d really like to do is pretty important to a happy healthy life.
Nice post Gregg, thanks. I completely agree, financial control and freedom are where it’s at. This means not living from paycheck to paycheck, but having a retirement fund, savings, an emergency fund . . . Not feeling like financial disaster has struck if you get a flat tire!