I have discovered that if you want to learn anything really well, teach it to others. I have experienced many things in my life that point me to this answer; math, the ocean, and money management.
First, up until my thirties I was terrible at math. But then then I became a teacher and had to work with math everyday. I am no longer terrible at it, and am quite comfortable working with numbers and equations. Second, while I have always loved the water, and the ocean, I was afraid of the unknown - what was beneath the depths of that massive mystery? Yet when I learned to scuba dive, I discovered the ocean is not dark and scary - it's full of light and beautiful things.
So, how does this pertain to money management you ask? Well, it does; money can be scary, and many of us may think of it as "one more thing I gotta do - have to learn about". The fact is - "time is money". If we are not working, we probably aren't making money, which pays the bills. But isn't a good education critical to making money? Ahah! Yes, we teachers are full of analogies; it's how many of us "get through" to our students. I figure I am not that much different than anyone else about learning new skills; at first, new things are scary - there is a "fear" of not thinking you can learn something well enough to be able to use it, let alone to be able to teach it. Well, like jumping off a dive boat for the first time, sometimes you simply need a good push. For whatever reason, you are here. So, whether you were court ordered, or you heard about the workshop and asked to be enrolled, you are here. Make the best of it, and then some! You will come away with at least one new skill that will make you a better money manager.
My motivation to learn about budgeting was simply about "getting older". Yes, as you get older you start really thinking about retirement - you ask yourself how you feel about someday being a Wal-Mart greeter (I think it's great, but only when it's "a choice"). The path to wisdom finally was widening to my door.
But, my biggest push into the cold depths of budgeting wasn't age, it came from my supervisor. She asked me to develop and teach a class on money management to adult probationers. I said to myself, "Why me? I'm awful at managing my own money!" But then I considered how would she know that? Hmmnn. I told her my philosophy on money was to always have an extra $1000 in my account (so I wouldn't bounce a check). That didn't seem to matter. I think, for whatever reason, she was set on me teaching this workshop. I have since had many sleepless nights trying to learn all I can, while seeking for a more enjoyable way to learn about money management. I kept pondering how to teach such a dull subject (to me) because "if I don't like the topic, how can I expect anyone else to like it." You see, I have been a decent "saver", but I have never taken the time to teach myself about money management. "How do you make more money, when as a teacher, you don't make much to begin with?" Like others I had learned from my parents to dedicate myself to whatever profession I chose, work hard, and save money in case of an emergency. Other than helping me open a savings account when I was about nine years old, my parents didn't teach me much else about money. In fact, I think in some strange way, I fear money as it creates more work for me.
When I was putting together this workshop, I kept thinking about that...that perhaps there are others like me. No one taught us about the subject, and it wasn't taught in school... "So it must not be THAT important" (do you feel a light bulb moment coming on?). I have spent a full year learning about money management. The more I learn, the more I dislike the term "budget". I find most people do. But we have to remember that it's JUST a word; and although it has a negative connotation to it, it shouldn't. It's a tool to help us move forward. The fact is, most of us don't have enough tools in our educational toolbox.
Months later, I know the answer to my biggest question - "How does one make more money without switching jobs?" We simply TAKE BACK THE CONTROL! We choose to spend our money the way we truly desire to. There are so many people out there trying to take every penny we work so hard for - and we let them take us for a ride! Advertisers, companies vying for our business, banks, creditors -- we let them take our money so easily - it's pathetic if you think about it. They put cell phones in celebrity's hands so that we will NEED that same phone! Come on--we just need a phone for communication...we don't need to buy a new one every year! But those companies are vying to get you to do just that...they are betting that you will fall for the slick tricks. So, what do you want out of life, out of your hard work, sweat, tears? Do you want more, or less? I want more...thank you very much. I choose control, and to make my money work for me, not againest me.
Show Me The Money! is packed full of information - more than you may feel you need. But I promise, there will come a day when you find every bit of it useful. In the workshop evaluations, the students in the first group told me they needed more of, "The Way To". So, that is what I am trying to give you all - more useful tips. The first step is is that you must first believe this subject matter is important, and then you must choose to move forward. I found a website for you "true learners" and for the "wanna be learners". It has useful information for you to pull from, BUT ONLY if you really want to make changes in your life. If you are having a tough time getting started, my website and Steve Pavlina's are good places to look for encouragement. I have not studied it all, but let me know what you think of it: http://www.stevepavlina.com
So, come back from time to time and see what is new. Don't forget, if you need some help, or if you lost your motivation, contact me or re-read "The Laws Of Motivation". Inspiration is at your fingertips. But it's up to you to put things in motion, and keep your enthusiasm up. Surround yourself with people who want to the same. Good luck on your journey to a more enriched life!
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