Life on MY Terms
“Do what I have to do, so I can do what I want to do.” - The Great Debaters
I know I’m late, but I finally got around to watching the Great Debaters this weekend. The quote above is one a father taught his son. Although he was referring to working hard and doing well in school before pursuing extracurricular activities, I can apply the quote to many areas of my life - especially finances.
Do what I have to do…
- Work hard smart and remain competitive in my career field
- Maximize my income
- Track my expenses and live beneath my means
- Practice delayed gratification
- Pay my credit card balance(s) in full every month
- Pay ALL bills on time
- Save for emergencies
- Invest for retirement
…so I can do what I want to do.
- Pursue a better job whenever I am ready or quit a job when I’m not happy
- Live day to day without worry about bills, food, needs, OR wants
- Comfort in knowing money will be the least of my concerns in an emergency
- Comfort in knowing my golden years will truly be GOLDEN
- Pampering myself with hair, mani, pedi and spa days
- Dine out whenever the mood strikes me
- Plan a spontaneous vacation
- Donate money without thinking twice
- Forgive an unpaid personal loan without forgetting resentment
- Shop for shoes, shoes, and more shoes
By making responsible financial decisions, even when I don’t wanna, I have the flexibility and freedom to make other decisions that bring me joy.
I won’t even lie. Man, it’s hard!! Especially when I have to ignore flashy distractions that provide a temporary thrill. You know, like the iPhone. That shiny, black Mercedes CLK. A fully furnished, 3 bedroom, single family home in my current zip code. A Dior handbag. Or a pair of Cavalli shoes. It’s soooo easy to say “screw this” and go on a spending spree. I can, but I won’t. At the end of the day, what does all of that “stuff” get me? Nothing, but debt and stress…and maybe a few bragging rights to impress people I don’t even like.
Instead, I do what I have to do, so I can do what I want to do. And live life on MY terms.
~*~*~*~*~*~Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!
If you enjoy reading this site, don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Fabulous Financials via email or RSS feed so you can receive notifications when I publish new content.
18 comments:
Write a comment:
Want an image next to your comment? Get your Gravatar here!
Have you read the Fabulous Financials comment policy lately?
Well said, Single Ma!
You are one of my role models. Thanks for blogging!
To quote a friend, “You ain’t never lied!”
I rented the Great Debaters as well this weekend! It was truly an interesting story and displays how the underdogs (analogy:those in debt) can compete against the elite (analogy:debtors) and come out on top. Interesting how you applied the quote to your finances I was not thinking in those lines when you first mentioned the quote. Good thoughts!!
I loved that quote as well, and I can definitely identify with your lists (and your thoughts on not giving in to the temptation of lavish spending!)
I still haven’t seen it, it was never at Redbox for some reason so I gotta get it from Netflix. I admire your self control when it comes to spending and living beneath your means. Great post!
I’ve got another quote for you: “You’ve got to live a little, but you first have to earn that living.”
As opposed to living, then paying later (like I did with the first half of my adulthood!).
That was my favority Quote from that movie. I wish I had heard it when I were younger. Instead at 43 years old I’m practicing it when I should be doing what you’re doing. However, it’s NEVER to late to teach an old dog new tricks. I’m actually excited about seeing money grow and debt go down. You truly have inspired me thank you! I even started a blog and it’s a road to fitness, Physical (lose weight) , Mental(finish my degree) and Financial (pay off debt and start saving).
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Single Ma, you are so right. I think this message should be a must for all young people to hear.
P.S. I have to say my dream shoes are Louboutins.
“Practice delayed gratification ” LOL
I practice delayed gratification for short period of time. I cannot do it for too long, I will go crazy !!!!
I want to say “screw this” every once in a while, too. But I’ve got willpower man…
Hi SM - I love this post - this is a lesson I’m trying to teach my daughters. My 7 year old gets, my 10 year old not so much.
That Mercedes CLK is HOT and I would love to get an Iphone but sadly, I don’t see any one of them in my near future.
Some days you wake up and feel really bad and down. You know how they say to smile at a random person because it may make their day. This post smiled at me. Thank you!
Great post! I just began this same internal discussion with myself last week while vacationing.
I love the post, especially the last part: “At the end of the day, what does all of that “stuff” get me? Nothing, but debt and stress…and maybe a few bragging rights to impress people I don’t even like.” It was exactly what I needed to hear right now. Thank you.
This post is very inspirational and creating positivity.
Well I am completely dependent on my financial planner, i.e.
my personal finance magazine–’MoneyLIFE’
Magazine is sharply focused on stocks, mutual funds, careers, consumer rights plus enterprise & smart spending.
By offering hard facts, insightful opinions, wider options, useful tips from the world of money, it is empowering me to invest & spend wisely.