Putting it all together with your money 💪
Kia Ora Friend,
We've come to the end of the steps to financial security.
I want to finish with some final points: you don't live in a spreadsheet with rules. You are a human after all.
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Steps to Financial Security
Definition of Money
Money is abstract.
By itself money cannot feed you, shelter you, or fix you.
Money is a social construct. Through society's power of human imagination, value is put in money.
It allows us to:
measure value of good and services
store value
A higher power (a.k.a the Government) regulates money as well.
What money truly means to us:
Luxuries
Freedom
Safety
More and More vs Restrict and Restrict
You might have the goal of becoming the richest person on the planet. But why?
More luxury, more security, more freedom? Can you get these things without money?
Big earners become big spenders too. If you don't have any awareness of your finances, then what you really wanted soon becomes the norm and your desires become bigger and more expensive. Your running on a treadmill.
On the other hand, restricting too much is a problem as well. We are here for a reason and that is to enjoy life.
Life is balance.
Goal of Generosity
Your goals might be:
be rich, then
have lots of things, then
realise financial freedom is better than things
But charity is the ultimate goal.
Generosity is the realisation you have is enough. You help others in the process.
Staying on Track
Saving is a marathon. You will be disappointed in small changes, checking your savings account daily.
Instead, head over to futureme.org and send an email to yourself a month, 6 months or a year from now. State in this email your current savings balance. Small increments in your saving will accumulate over time, making a satisfying surprise when you get that email in the future.
Impulse purchases are always around the corner. Don't think of a purple elephant! Are you thinking about the purple elephant? The brain has a tough time saying 'no'. Same with shiny new objects. Writing your desire in a wish list helps move the idea out of your mind. You can come back to it when time is appropriate or when you realise you do not need it anymore.
Don't Compare
Comparison is the thief of joy. You are on your own journey. It doesn't matter about your parents, your neighbours, or your friends. All that matter is your finances because personal finance is personal.
Final points
Some things to tell yourself:
Money is to serve you not control you
Big wins not small details
Do it most of the time and not all
On a final note, you live beyond the spreadsheet. Life is complex and difficult to predict. So, please be kind to yourself.
What are you money philosophies? Please reply to this email.
If you want to read more in detail then head to my post here.
I also want to let you know that I will be taking a break for a week. I hope you have found this series or posts/emails useful. Please forward this on to whānau and friends if you did find it useful.
Thanks for reading and all the best for the weeks ahead.
Mā te wā,
Shivan :)
Recent Blog Post
Putting it Together: Step 8 of 8 to Financial Security — shivansivakumaran.com
You can follow the steps here for financial security. But you are a human and you live beyond rules and a spreadsheet.
Kindle Highlight of the Week
The desire for more positive experience is itself a negative experience. And, paradoxically, the acceptance of one’s negative experience is itself a positive experience.
Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck