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Written by Adam Carroll
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Tuesday, 03 August 2010 19:27 |
One of the pieces of advice I’m fond of giving is do for two years what most people won’t do, and you’ll be able to do for the rest of your life what most people can’t do.
It sort of begs two questions: What won’t most people do? What can’t most people do?
Answering the first question takes a little more explanation than the second, so I’m going to take them out of order. It doesn’t take much brainstorming to make a detailed list of the things that most people can’t do.
They can’t --
take extended vacations, take lots of time off, spend serious quality time without being distracted by money, work, the to-do list, etc., do everything they want in life while they’re still young enough to enjoy it, drive their dream vehicle, invest for the future, own their home outright, own vacation homes, get to visit vacation homes, start a business, financially help their neighbors, church, or family. The list could go on and on...
The bottom line is that the majority of things that people can’t do are almost entirely related to their ability to pay for these “luxuries” without it seriously affecting their lifestyle. However, by answering the first question -- “what won’t most people do?” we can uncover what it takes to make nearly all of the items on the above list possible.
So, what won’t most people do?
To put it simply, they won’t live on less. Parkinsons Law states that our expenses will generally rise to meet income. For most Americans, this is true. If we made $50,000 last year and will make $60,000 this year, our expenses will somehow work their way up to the $60,000 mark (if not higher).
Living on less requires working with a spending plan and sticking to it. It requires one of those things that everyone struggles with -- delayed gratification. I often tell people in my programs -- “you can have everything you want in life, you just can’t have it right now.”
People won’t drive a less-than brand new car when it makes little financial sense to finance a vehicle for 7 years that depreciates 30% when you drive it off the lot.
People won’t save first and spend last. They do the exact opposite and then wonder why they have no money in the bank when they need it.
Listen, I’m a huge fan of living the lifestyle you were meant to live. I believe it wholeheartedly. That being said, I’m not a fan of living that lifestyle for a year and then being so completely upside down with your finances that everyday is a struggle.
Just think about what you’re willing to do for two years, and then knock it out. You’ll be amazed what most people can’t do, all the while you’re doing it. |
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I Like Johnny B Truant and You Should Too |
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Written by Adam Carroll
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Monday, 12 July 2010 16:30 |
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Sometimes you come across people on the internet that strike your fancy. Maybe they write like you, or have similar sayings that you find yourself saying. Sometimes, they're just so irreverent that you find yourself reading their stuff all the time. Kind of like the guy who wrote Sh*t My Dad Says. That's how it is with Johnny B. Truant. The guy is irreverent as hell and you'll love him for it. He probably even teaches his kids how to belch loudly then high-fives them when they do it in public. Just check him out and you'll see... The coolest part about Johnny is his business model. He helps people get set up on Wordpress templates and started blogging. It's stupidly cheap too. But don't worry about Johnny, he's getting dough from being an affiliate from some of these companies. And from the looks of his avatar everywhere, he eats enough green apples to keep the doctor away. Visit Johnny B. Truant
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