Fiscal Discipline!

The fourth piece of the F puzzle is one of the most difficult to master. The art of finance! You can't live life for excellence intentionally if your finances are a wreck! No one will follow a leader with broken fiscal policies long. It exudes a lack of discipline when the bill collectors are barking at the door. If you can't get your finances in order, then what other gaffs are hiding in your closets?

This post could go on for ever, because it's such a challenging subject! We'll just hit the highlights. One of the keys to financial order is to define the difference between a need and a want. Then it's critical to make those into a priority list. You need shelter and electricity, but you only need electricity if the rent or mortgage is paid! It's kind of senseless to have your electric bill current, and your rent or mortgage in arrears.

I've never met a broke person who didn't have cable, and usually Internet service. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but these aren't priorities. While the liberals in our government insist that high speed Internet service is a right, they neglect to tell you it's available at your local library. Pumping it into your home is a convenience, and we're going to address conveniences right now.

Anything that doesn't fit the definition of food, shelter, and basic clothing needs is defined as an accessory or a convenience, and needs to be place appropriately on the priority list. When you've earned the money to afford such accessories and your debts are paid, then, and only then, do you set goals for them. Until that time your income is devoted to the priorities and debt reduction.

Then to insure your financial education is complete, it's mandatory to learn to save. No matter how bleak your situation you must discipline yourself to put away something, even if it's just a quarter a pay period. Also it's good financial discipline to learn to tithe, a little investment in your eternal future.

Money is like oxygen, if you have it you never really think about it. If you don't it's a major concern! Why not take that pressure off your life, so you can live life intentionally for excellence? It's a simple matter of priorities and discipline. Trust me, you'll feel odd at first, but then going against what the herd is doing usually does. Here's the key...The herd's broke!

God Bless!
Capt. Bill