Top 5 simple steps to financial freedom
Step 1 – Get out of debt !
Easier said than done but the truth is that you will never truly be free until you are debt free. Debt is like a noose around your neck and it feels so good to get rid of the rope!
One way to start is to do a plastic surgery on your credit cards and cut all of them up!
Doing a financial game plan that lays out how much one owes on each debt, what the interest rate is, the monthly payment and the projected pay off dates of each debt is vital. Then start to focus on the loan with the smallest amount you owe with the largest interest charge. In a few months you will have your first credit card paid off and then take that freed up monthly amount and apply it to the next debt. In 9 - 24 months you could totally be debt free depending on the amount of debt you have (outside the mortgage of your home). You could get a part time job to make more, but more on that later.
Debt freedom is like being set free from bondage! The best part is, when you become debt free, you have the freedom to really start saving, investing and giving more!
Step 2 – Live below your means !
Spending less than you make may seem like common sense but it is certainly not common practice !
Most people spend all they make and a little bit more on overdrafts and credit cards.
Living within a budget may seem restrictive but the rewards are so worth it. I wish people learn this lesson earlier in life to prevent getting into debt. Budgeting is really simple and all it takes is a little bit of time and effort to organise your income and outgoings. One simple one you can use is called a Fat Finder . This helps you cut out the unnecessary and put the necessary in its rightful place .
A simple formula to remember is 10-10-10-70
10% giving
10% short term savings
10% Long term investing
70% learn to live on !
When most people hear about this, it always sounds impossible at first.
Don’t get discouraged on where you are now, be encouraged on where you are going! Get a budget in place and take control of your budget.
You might not be able to start giving 10% of your income away to a charity, Church etc immediately but it's something you should work towards. Givers are always at the top and will always have to give, hence that's where you want to be.
To be continued tomorrow.
Dr Nobell
Recent Comments
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A 10% tithe of substance comes back in many ways and is a great philanthropic way to build a community. A great post on proper apportionment!
Thank you for that good advise. I think that this is an important lesson that all of us should learn when starting out in life.
My thoughts and sentiments not everybody has the opportunity of learning financial skills in early life and taking responsibility until later in adulthood. Let's embrace financial Literacy and be grateful for such information. Thanks Doctor Nobell
I think financial responsibility is something which should be taught in school to be honest, along with how to budget, how to pay bills, how to change utility suppliers etc. etc...the list could go on! We should basically be teaching kids how to run a home and pay the bills rather than some of the stuff which is taught these days. It could be called 'life skills' or something similar.
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Thanks for your advice Doc