Motivation

Space

It’s interesting how time and a little perspective can teach us things.

When I started this site, I had just one goal – I wanted to get out of debt.

With that singular goal, managing my finances became pretty simple.  Not easy, but simple.

An emergency fund was funded.

A debt reduction plan was created.

Payments and extra-payments were made.

Debt was reduced – and eventually – I was debt free.

Now, nearly five years later, I’ve learned a lot about myself –

How I relate to money

Why I make the decisions that I make

What my strengths are – and my weaknesses

I’ve learned to relax and enjoy the progress that I’m making.

I’ve also learned that credit wasn’t my problem – ignorance was.  I just didn’t know, and had never taken the time to learn about, how to manage my finances.

I’ve also learned the value of owning less.  Space is precious – and too much stuff just fills up my space.

I’ve learned that generosity is its very own reward.  It truly is better to give than to receive.

I’ve also learned that there is no end to the complexities of money management.  Just when I think I have the perfect plan – I learn of some new type of investment, some new rule in the tax law, or some new insurance need.  I am so thankful for my fellow bloggers, friends who keep me up-to-date with the very latest from the world of personal finance.

I’ve learned that one-size-fits-all solutions are actually one-size-fits-no-one.  My task, as the manager of Me Inc., is to create a solution that fits me – that works for me – and that will provide the best plan for my financial life.

Finally, I’ve learned that there are times, those important seasons in my life, when I will make big, huge, life altering financial decisions – and I need to dedicate myself to being prepared for those times.  Looking back over the past five years, I am greatly encouraged, and excited about the prospects for the future.

7 thoughts on “Space

  1. Why hello there, I just stumbled upon your blog from another I just stumbled upon. I read this post and thought: wow, why didn’t i find it sooner. I’ve been reading and blogger for about a year now and have found it to be an amazing resource.

  2. “Do what works for you” is some of the best advice out there for so many reasons. For one thing, no one knows your life, personality, and motivations the way you do. It is great to see all the different ways that people handle their finances, and then to pick, choose, and modify as applicable.

  3. I have been a long time reader! happy to see your transformation here and learning a lot. Giving is surely better than receiving, I did not know it fully, until I started giving things away, it gave me much more mental peace.

  4. Now this is “Well said”. I apprecaite this article very,very much. That should hit home with alot,alot of people. Thank’s for your site also. I came across this site 2 weeks ago. Keep up the good articles and your insights. Dave from Missouri

  5. Excellent post! Last fall I told my husband about $16,000 in credit card debt I had that he had no idea about. Since then we’ve been working very hard to get rid of our debt and restore our marriage. I am now totally credit card free and will never go back! I can’t wait to get past it and move on in life like you have!
    sara http://myfrugalfunlife.blogspot.com/

  6. I truly appreciate the value of owning less. I come from a family of pack rats. My wife and I, on the other hand, give our excesses away religiously. There is no need to hold on to garbage bags full of baby toys when my sister is pregnant. If you have the mentality in your mind that you will just get rid of something eventually, you are less likely to buy it in the first place.

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