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HomedisciplineDo me a favor, ignore the majority of my advice

Do me a favor, ignore the majority of my advice

So I was reading the other day (Yes I do actually know how to read) and came across something profound. I’d like to share it with you now…

No one-size-fits-all recipe can guarantee a great relationship. Whether we’re talking about husband and wife, close friends, co-workers, or parent and child, every relationship is different. No two are ever exactly alike. What builds and sustains one is often of no value in another….

…..Each relationship has its own dance and drama, played out according to the unique strengths, needs, and personalities of the partners.

If you are wondering, this excerpt comes from the book “Contrarian’s Guide to Knowing God.” I think the author makes a valid point: What works for one person, might not work for another. Later in the chapter he goes on to discuss, that just because each person is different, that does not mean there are not fundamental rules in which we must all oblige. For example, don’t kill, steal from, or lie to each other. When these “ground rules” are broken, bad things happen.

Ready for the personal finance tie in? No two financial journeys are ever the same, but the ground rules apply to all. Sure there may be some disagreement in what is considered a fundamental financial principle, but here are mine…

1) Spend less than you make

2) Don’t accumulate debt (without a game plan to pay it off)

3) Have money set aside for a rainy day

If any one of these three financial principles are violated, you will almost surely face unnecessary hardships.  Notice, though, that there is room for WHAT YOU WANT within each parameter. Sure you need to spend less than you make to have financial freedom, but it’s up to you how much less. Maybe it’s $50/month, $500/month, or more. You get to decide what works best for you.

Becoming financially secure is not about following a strict guideline, but more taking some basic principles and making them unique to your situation. We need to be more tolerant of our peers gameplans (unless their plans involve money, vokda, a tiger, and a midget).

I’m a pretty stubborn individual so it’s important for me to be reminded that my way is not the best way (although I will definitely try to argue that it is).

What are some universal financial principles that you believe everyone must follow? Have you been stubborn, like myself, and become frustrated when people don’t do things “your way”?

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Save, Save, Save. Not just save, not just save save, but SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. I think this works for everyone. If you can do it, then just do it. If you have money just lying there, don't automatically spend it, try to save it!

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