So now we move on to budgets…wait, don’t shut me off! Listen! Too many people misunderstand what these important financial plans are and they dismiss them, to their own detriment. Budgets give us control. They help us keep track of what is coming in and what is going out. They also give us the freedom to choose what we will use our hard earned money towards. Yes, I said freedom. The stigma is that budgets are controlling and take away our ability to have fun and live a little. That cannot be further from the truth. Yes, budgets are a tool to help us grow into more responsible people because we must take into account what and how much we are spending, but we get to choose all that and so budgets are also empowering. We tell every dollar where it should go, and just like with our time, we get to choose whether we are wasting, spending or investing it. As he says, the interesting thing is, “Managed money goes farther.” (p63) Obviously we don’t want to waste money, so we must write down where we are spending and investing it all, or else our money has this nasty habit of just disappearing on us! But as we control it this way, we will see that we can do a lot more with our income than we might initially have thought.
Mr Ramsey reminds us that, “You will not win with money by accident!” (p56) A budget keeps us on track, giving us a map of where we are, and where we are going financially. He warns us that this may take about 3 months before we get the budgeting going smoothly. He says, “Just plan on having one big Budget Committee Meeting at the start of the month and then a dozen ‘emergency’ Budget Committee Meetings throughout the month as you make course corrections.” (p56) As with everything, patience and perseverance are key. He also says, “Budgeting is all about changing your behaviors with money, and behavior change takes time.” (p57) Learning to write, and follow, a Monthly Cash Flow Plan is at the center of becoming financially free.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
<>< Peace, Diane
