Yeah, I know. You don’t have the cash flow to invest in the market, right? The end of the month comes and there is nothing left. Over the course of my career, I have seen people with seven figure incomes and those with five figure incomes have the same excuse. My heart does go out more to those with five figures, but both are still making excuses. If you want to save, there is a way even it is just $5 per week. There may be sacrifices which you make not want to make, but there are ways. Of course, you can just accept your fate and work longer and harder and be comforted with your excuses. It is up to you.
I have been fortunate enough in my career to make a seven-figure income (at one time eight) and many times less than that. In fact, some years negative. The higher income years were less in number. Many times, it was not how to invest money, it was just having enough to buy food. I remember what it was like when the family was trying to plan a summer vacation and I was broke. But my 7-year-old and 9-year-old, we came up with a plan: We would put spare change daily into an Ovaltine jar (showing my age?). After a couple of months, we would count it up and take our vacation that year. It was enough to spend one might at the New Jersey Shore. It was one of the most memorable vacations we ever took: We will ever take.
I was teaching some basic financial planning points to an 8th grade charter school class in Harlem, NYC once. These kids came from poor families and did not have the advantages most kids in the suburbs have. Their teacher was telling me in front of the class that the class could not see a way to save for a Washington, DC trip in the spring. The cost was $2,000.
Using the concept of compounding, I asked them how much they might spend on a can of soda each day. We concluded that if they all drank one less soda per day (others chose something else) that saving the $2 each for the future months, they would have more than enough. It was their choice, but they were excited knowing they now had a path. BTW, they made it!
So, how can you start to “make it”. Maybe give up the multi-channel cable TV package along with the daily latte. Cook home more. For more affluent, drop the wine club and make the kids walk from school or take a bus (yes, I did have a client who gave her kids carte blanche to take Ubers to and from school, daily- at a cost of over $10,000 per year). Change jobs, careers or maybe restart that business that has leveled off. Call up all your advisors like your insurance agent, your accountant and let them know you want to see what they are saving you. Refinance. You’ve heard these lists before…..and done nothing.
How to invest in the market? Some of you must laugh when you see articles like this. I know some of you may be on the edge of bankruptcy, maybe they are coming for your house. I know what it feels like. I’ve been there. Have a good cry, look in the mirror and feel sorry for yourself then decide if you want to play victim for the rest of your life or take steps, get help to finally start making the best financial decisions, the tough decisions and end up living the life you want now and in the future.
BTW, today I live in Paris and NYC. I live a life I could not have imagined when I was on the verge of going under. If I can do it, so can you.
If you are ready to take the first steps towards living the way you want now and for the rest of your life, look no further than this book, “Master Your Cash Flow®.” Find out more here: https://alzdenek.com/book/
