Where do you want to be this time next year? What about 3 years from now? 5? 10? How do you suppose you're going to get there? Most people go through life assuming things will somehow just work out, then wake up one day to find they've spent half their life already and aren't much further than they were when they started - or worse, they've fallen behind where they were a decade ago because now they've tripled the amount of debt they carry and their health is paying the price from all the stress. So what can you do TODAY so you end up where you want to be in the future? It's called, according to Dr. Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, "Begin with the End in Mind".
If your goal is to be out of debt in 5 years, you need a plan today to get there. Start with selling everything you don't need, all those extra electronics, collectibles, bicycles or sports gear you never use anymore, old movies and music, televisions, even clothes can be sold on websites like Poshmark.
You could have multiple yard/garage sales, sell online, post on Craig's List, or even sell stuff to friends, family and coworkers. Use that money to pay off whatever is your smallest balance. Then use the money you used to pay on that balance and apply it on top of what you pay monthly to the next lowest balance. For example, let's say you had a clothing store credit card with $700 of debt you owe. From selling your items you make $700 so you pay it off. Now the $80/month you used to send to the clothing store, you add to say, your Visa payment, now, paying down the balance by an extra $80/month. In just one year, that's an extra $960/yr coming off what you owe. You also could pick up a part-time job or if you're creative, make DIY stuff and sell it at a Farmer's Market and apply that to your debt too.
If your goal is to buy a car in another 2 years, you need to start saving now. You can do the same steps as above but put aside an amount each week or month in a separate account for a car. If you could manage some kind of side job that gave you $500/month extra, in a year you would have $6000 to buy a used car with no car payment - then use what you used to spend on your car payment to pay off other debt.
If your goal is to become a writer in 5 years, you could start today by learning about the writing process through books, online classes, physical classes, even local libraries usually have authors and classes that help inspiring writers get started.
If you wanted to plan for a trip to Europe in 2 years, you could start today by saving for it on a regular, planned schedule, with set amounts to get you there. You also could begin the research of the best places to stay, things to do, etc. hunting for great destinations but figuring out the least expensive ones or which season is priced the lowest.
What if it's to go back and finish your education? Start today filling out the necessary forms, applications, essays, financial aid forms or scholarship entries, and figuring out what you need to get the degree you want - but make sure you give it serious thought so you know WHY you're taking those classes. Have a plan for the type of job or business you want from it. Don't sign up with no idea what major you want. If you don't want anything, why pay thousands of dollars for it?
Maybe it's to finally settle down, have kids, and be home to care for them. Start now putting money away, paying down debt, downsizing if it saves you money in the long run. A 3 bedroom home is plenty for a family of 4-5 people. Don't believe the tv shows that try to convince you a couple with no kids needs a 5 bedroom house and 3500 square feet! Prioritize. We spent 7 years in a 1000 sf, 3 bedroom home, with our family of 5 because our priorities were for me to stay home to raise my kids and educate them. It was more important than working 2 or 3 jobs, living in a house too big to take care of with an enormous mortgage payment, just so the "impressive" house sat empty since everyone worked, was in school, daycare, and after school activities. We raised our kids to be good, healthy, productive members of society with values and morals, a heart to support those that need help, and a true sense of right and wrong. I'm not saying that isn't possible any other way, but I'm saying that our sacrifices were worth it many times over considering the results we got. We began with the end in mind and did what was necessary along the way to obtain those results.
As you can see, having a direction to head, or a plan if you're a planner person, is how you get where you want to be. Not by spinning your wheels day after day. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing day after day and expecting different results. Figure out what you want and how you can get there.
If living a more simple life is your destination, then start simplifying today. You can go back and read (or re-read) my daily challenges in July and August taking baby steps today that will, over time, turn into life changing habits to get you there. All it takes is a single, intentional step.
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