Invest In The Future
By kathy77
@kathy77 (7486)
Australia
March 26, 2007 12:56pm CST
If you're like me (and indeed most people), when you receive an unexpected bonus or windfall, your first inclination is to spend it, spoil yourself or treat your family to something special. And why not? After all, it's not like it is part of your regular income is it?
Giving yourself a treat is a great thing to do, but the worst presents are clothes, 'material' or 'luxury' goods and the best gift you can give yourself is a brighter future by getting rid of some of your debt. If you spend your money on 'goods' instead of repaying your debts, everyone gets ahead except you. Your boss did well. Because you wasted your bonus he will be able to get you to do more overtime. The shop owner did well because he managed to take your bonus from you. The bank did well because they want you in debt to them till you die. The landlord of the shop did well because he even got a slice of the bonus. Everyone did well out of my bonus except me. Every time you pay extra off your debts, you are doing something truly brilliant and you deserve a massive pat on the back. The reason it is so fantastic is that you are actually clawing back time and freeing up your money sooner. You have turned your bonus into a REAL bonus. Getting rid of your debt is the best thing you can do for your family and the planet. The pressure of debt deprives us of so many things. It restricts your freedom and your ability to make conscientious choices. The less debt you have, the lower your repayments will be and the more free cash you will have each week. Next time you get a bit of extra cash, use it to wipe off some of your debts and invest in your future. You will be able to make better choices and accomplish more with your life.
4 people like this
8 responses
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
26 Mar 07
You have a valid point and that is one thing I am working towards right now.
1 person likes this
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
29 Mar 07
One more thing I did was print what you said and put it in my inspirational scrapbook for future reference.
@weemam (13372)
•
29 Mar 07
You have a good head on your shoulders pal , when we got married we always said "no debt"we saved up for everything before we bought it and we still do , I know of a lot of people who live with their creditcars at the maximum , I just couldn't sleep living like hat , I always tell my sons too .live within your means xx
1 person likes this
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
26 Mar 07
How nice it would be to not have any debt but for some it is not meant to be! But to just be able to do our best and try to take away this debt is hard work and consistant. When a tax return comes the thought is to go and have a splurge but that is knocked out by the fact that 2 regos. have to be paid, (short lived excitement)lol Now helping out my son (although he is to pay it back) has put us back once again, but it is harder for me to live with the fact that one of my children is in more financial difficulty than we are, so it is done! Your discussion makes it sound soooooo easy! lol
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
26 Mar 07
This is an excellent post filled with much wisdom and great advise. I have rated you another + for it, as that will help your points and stars.
Unfortunately, things arise in our lives unplanned, that wipe out our savings and put us in debt. But, still we should try if possible, to put some away for a rainy day.
1 person likes this
@michelledarcy (5220)
•
26 Mar 07
I think you are completely right that the best gift you can give to yourself is to get out of debt. I am so much happier now I am completely in control of my finances and have no more loans or credit cards.
I think that it is good to spend money on yourself every now and again as otherwise work become really demotivating as you never see any benefit from the money. However for me that means getting some strawberries instead of the normal (cheaper) apples, or buying a top in the sale or at a charity shop. You can still feel treated even without spending a lot.
1 person likes this
