How did we get where we are?
Going beyond your financial resources typically means the use of credit cards and acquiring debt. It is a known fact that people spend more when they use credit cards than when they use cash. Using credit cards is easy and it does not feel like spending ‘real money’. But consider that credit cards require you to pay much more for every item you purchase when you use that plastic card! Interest, penalties, and fees accumulate quickly.
Did you realize that according to the American Bankers’ Association, the average family today has at least $8,000 in credit card debt?
That’s a lot of debt! And they keep on buying and charging and accumulating ‘things’!
Ironically, many people who accumulate the most material possessions, including the biggest house and the newest cars, are actually in debt with little hope of financial freedom in the foreseeable future. This contributes to the stress and anxiety for many people and it also leads to mental, spiritual and physical decline in health.
To put it in perspective, consider these facts:
• Consumers have accumulated more than $2.2 trillion in purchases by using major credit cards in the past year.
• Americans have a habit of spending more than they have and it has become an acceptable practice and way of life.
• Credit card debit grew by 315% from 1989 to 2006!
• Less and less people are paying credit card bills on time, piling on interest and penalties to already soaring debt.
• Americans have more debt today than ever before – and growing!
• Credit cards have become a way of life and way to horde more material possessions than a person can use.
• Buying things without having money is easier today than ever before.
• Students are solicited by credit card companies every day – drawing them into the web of debt.
How did it all happen and what has driven consumers to such lengths that they would jeopardize their financial, physical, and mental health for possessions?
People want to blame someone, or the ‘system’, or a bad childhood for their situation. They blame their spouse, or their children, or their dog. They blame marketers and TV ads and other promotions. They even blame their employer because they don’t get paid enough.
But they’re not in their situation because of the money they make. They’re in their situation because of the money they SPEND!
Recognizing the problem
What can you do to change your life by creating the life you REALLY want and applying the principle of ‘less is more’? That’s what we can do for you. Help you see how to become simply happy and debt-free. When you overcome your debt, you will feel an enormous burden lifted and you’ll be simply happy!
In a world where most people believe, “I’ve got to have it now”, you can find a place of peace and tranquility by making some changes in your life and by assessing your current situation. You can establish goals that are not focused on money, but focused on a satisfying life. Freedom is within your reach but you have to grasp it and commit to hold it tight.
It just takes some changes in your life and your lifestyle.
The problem with most people is that they resist change. They don’t really see a real need for change which makes it even more difficult. There are two important steps you must take in order to ignite your passion to make changes:
1. Recognize that there is a problem that can be improved by change.
2. Identify the obstacles and challenges that keep you from making changes.
Once you do these two things, it becomes much easier to see how change can make a tremendous improvement in your life. That first step is critical and it is always the hardest step to take.
Why? Because people find themselves saying:
• “I’m just a little overweight”
• “My life is pretty happy as it is”
• “I’m just a little in debt”
• “I ONLY have $6,000 in debt on my credit cards”
• “I’ll make bigger payments next month”
• “I’ll worry about investing and retirement when the children are older”
• “I deserve to buy nice things on credit because I work hard”
• “Once I have all the things I want, I can focus on my mental and spiritual growth”
Do you see yourself in any of these scenarios or similar ones? It’s hard to take steps to make change when you don’t even realize you need to do it. You can see how denial is your biggest enemy! Recognition of the problem and admitting that you need to make changes is the first vital step.
People resist change. They are not willing to accept the challenges that go with making changes. And many people worry that they will not be successful at making changes – demonstrating failure instead. But when you recognize that change is truly needed, you’ve overcome the hardest part of the process.
Once you make the decision to make changes, the next step is challenging but it comes much easier. There are many obstacles which you perceive will preclude you from making changes and reaching your goals:
• “My job is secure and I’m afraid to risk it”
• “I’m dependent on the money I make”
• “My wife/husband would not be supportive of a change”
• “My children are depending on me and I have to ensure stability”
• “I don’t have the training or education to change careers”
• “If I start saving money for emergencies or retirement, I won’t have enough to buy daily essentials”
• “I might fail and people will laugh at me”
The list can go on and on. People perceive they have more obstacles than they usually do. Many of the ‘perceived’ obstacles are actually not obstacles at all! For example, one man was concerned that his wife would not support changes in his job and down-sizing their lifestyle to pay off debt and live simpler. When he cautiously approached her, she broke down in tears.
Why?
She was so happy that he was ready to make changes for them all to live a better life and free themselves from the debt and stress of their current life, she couldn’t believe it. She was excited about the wonderful new possibilities of living a simply happy and debt-free life!
A major ‘obstacle’ resolved!
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