Category: Uncategorized

Reduce.

Reduce what you are consuming…this can be anything from how much food you’re eating, how much water you’re using, how much electricity you’re using, how many items you’re purchasing, etc. Realize that everything that we use and consume has come from the earth. And while it may seem like there are unlimited resources, there aren’t. What we do today affects our future and our children’s futures tomorrow. Practice living a minimalist lifestyle. Not only will it be better for the environment, but it can also be good for you financially, physically, and even mentally. Financially, it is pretty obvious that if you consume less, you’ll probably spend less. Physically, try to fast from food on occasion. Fasting has been shown to have many health benefits when done properly. Once you change your mindset about what is considered “enough,” you won’t constantly feel the need to have more, enhancing your mental state.

Reuse.

Get multiple uses out of the things that you already own, or out of the things that you plan to purchase. Buy something that is higher quality and will last. Single use items have low value and eventually find their way to a landfill or the ocean. Try to find unique ways to repurpose items before discarding them.

Repair.

After you’ve reduced what you have been using, then you find ways to reuse or repurpose those items, once they are breaking down, see if you can repair them instead of replacing them. This can save you a ton of money depending on what you’re taking about (like repairing a car versus buying a new one). Sure, it’s not as nice as a new item, but if you can change your mindset this can be a good thing. You can view it in the lens of how much money you saved. Or you can view it as an accomplishment if you physically did the work to repair it. And, of course, it’s going to be better for the environment if you can fix it up instead of trashing that and buying new.

Recycle.

Eventually, some things will need to be discarded. If they can be recycled, do it. It takes a little more effort on your part, but if everyone recycles even just a little more than they do now, it would make a world of difference.

How can you incrementally improve your life and the lives of your loved ones everyday? Reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle. You won’t regret it.

Check out this link for recycling basics…https://recyclingsimplified.com/recycling-basics/

When you have purpose for your life, it gives you the motivation to keep going when times get tough.

If you don’t have purpose, if you don’t have vision, if you don’t have a goal, then when life happens to you and you don’t get your way, what is going to stop you from quitting?

When you are passionate about achieving your goals or your life purpose, you are willing to sacrifice more. You’re willing to put in the hours, to sleep less, or to hold off on buying/doing something if it will help you in the long run. You’re willing to work harder than those around you because you’re excited about your goals! You have a vision and you’re willing to do what it takes to get there.

What are you living for?

If you want others to act positively, then you must start by acting positively. This isn’t just a sometimes thing. You need to be consistently positive – be optimistic, smile, show good body language, look others in the eyes, use verbal encouragement, and speak with energy.

If you have something going on in your personal life, don’t bring it to work (and vice versa). Don’t be moody. When you’re moody, those around you never know what to expect. If they’re walking on eggshells around you then you will lose touch with them. They will begin to not share what’s on their mind with you for fear of catching you at the wrong time.

Practice what you preach (positivity), otherwise they are just empty words. Those around you will see your hypocrisy and resist your message if they feel that it is not congruent with your actions.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:10

Remember why you work. Remember why you spend your life energy working 40+ hours/week. Find your purpose, your life goal, and make sure that what you’re working for is in alignment with it. Don’t work just for money. Money is a means to an end, but it is not the end goal. It is what money can do for you (giving you the freedom to do what you want) that should be the focus.

Don’t work just for status. You got a promotion; you got a demotion…Whatever. Your life is more than your job title.

If you only work to get more than you currently have (more money, more status, more things), you’ll eventually realize that “more” is never enough. You can think, “once I get to X amount saved,” or “once I make Y amount per year” THEN I’ll be happy. But that’s not how it works. That achievement will come and go. And you’ll become so used to what you have acquired that it loses its luster, leaving you hungry for more.

Keep the big picture in mind. In a recent Afford Anything podcast with Paula Pant and Joe Saul-Sehy, Joe made a comment that really resonated with me. He said, “How can I get more life out of my money? Money is a fuel, not the end game.” And THAT is the big picture. That’s exactly how we should treat money. Use money as a tool to experience your best life – whether that means going on trips with family, relaxing by yourself, etc. That is up to you.

My main focus is to provide the best life for my family. How can I do this? By supporting them financially (earning a living in a career that gives me fulfillment), emotionally (spending as much quality time with loved ones as possible), physically (I have to be physically present to provide the most impact), and spiritually (leading by example in accordance to our faith).

What is your purpose in life? What is your why? How will you get more life out of your money? Whatever your answer, don’t waste it chasing the wrong things.

“A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.” – Henrik Isben

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you say, it matters what you do. You can say you’re all about family, religion, work ethic, etc., but if your actions don’t align with your words then you lose credibility. Make sure you can back up your words.