The following is a guest post written by Dave of LifeExcursion.com, a blog that focuses on a different subject for each day of the week. For example: Mondays are finance, but Thursdays are minimalism and Tuesdays are fitness. Dave is a well traveled guy with a unique insight and orignal blog format. If you like his post then check out his blog. You can read more about my guest post policy here.
Stop it! Yea, you. Stop blaming your parents for not teaching you the value of a dollar. Stop blaming your spouse for letting you buy that dust collecting $69.95 ab roller sitting in the corner of your living room. Stop silently cursing the credit card companies every time that bill comes. Just Stop It Already!
I think the first time I realized it was my own fault I was broke was when I was a senior in high school. I brought home about $600/month and had just bought a Baby Blue Bronco 2. My car payment was only $100/month and insurance was about $180/month. Other than $50-60/month in gas, I had no other bills. That left me with about $250+ of expendable income. However, that car bill came one moth and my mom asked for that measly $100. I had about $50 in my bank account. I complained, pouted, and gave about every excuse as to why I didn’t have the money for the bill. My mom quickly made me realize my spending and lack of saving habits were the reason for me not being able to pay my bill. This was the moment. This was the moment in life that I learned I had to be responsible for my financial actions. This is when I realized I was only broke because of my own actions.
It can be tough to save and doing so is my and your own responsibility. Everyday is a chance to learn from our own mistakes, be responsible and grow as individuals. Hopefully, the following 10 Reason’s It’s Your Own Fault You’re Broke will help open your eyes and get you to change your debt-filled ways….
10 Reasons It’s Your Fault You’re Broke
- You signed the dotted line. You were the one who signed the dotted line for that new truck or designer purse. Did you really need the newest or the most luxurious when the second hand store would have provided all you actually needed? I didn’t think so.
- You went to Vegas. Nobody forced you to try and live the Britney-like-life in Vegas. Let alone, no one forced you to go to Vegas in the first place. There are many better ways to spend $1,000 then on VIP treatment for 2 hours of trying to live like the girls on ‘The Hills’.
- You accepted peer pressure. You were the one that allowed yourself to go out and spend on a huge trip or night out. If you don’t like the pressure your peers are putting on you, then find new peers. Your friends are only friends if they understand and accept you for you. And you don’t have to be the big spender to be a good friend.
- You got drunk. You were the one to rack up the $200 bar tab. Getting wasted and accumulating a huge bar tab is no one’s fault but yourself. Stop blaming your other drunk friends.
- You are dating them. You are the one allowing your significant other to get away with their lavish spending and lack of saving lifestyle. If you truly wanted to live by your means, you would either come to a financially responsible agreement with your ‘soulmate’ or find a new one.
- You didn’t learn from past mistakes. You can either learn from mistakes or continue to falter. The quicker I learn from my own mistakes, the sooner I will live a much happier life. Simple as that.
- You took on too much. You wanted to make everyone happy, wanted to do everything, and still wanted to be financially stable. In most instances, you may have to cut some ties to organizations or groups. It can be painful, but what do you really want and are these ties preventing other parts of you goal-driven life from succeeding.
- You are boring. You can find things to do. There are ton’s of free things to do in EVERY city or town. It’s just whether or not you want to do something that costs little to nothing or if you must spend, spend, spend to be entertained.
- You don’t understand The Basics. You don’t, or don’t want to, understand the basics means food, shelter,and security. I don’t see cable tv, six pack, or decorative furniture in there. Make sure your basics are covered and work from there. Don’t work backwards. It’s easier to start with a short list and stick to that short list than it is to try and cut from your an already 10 page Must-Have’s list.
- You hate budgets. You are the one who controls your finances. Would you like it if I took the cash from your paycheck, threw it in a busy intersection and told you you could keep whatever you could collect? I think not. The same goes for how you treat your money. Stop throwing it about as though it has no value. You worked hard for your money so create a budget and stick to it.
See a trend there. It all comes back to YOU. These realities may be hard to face, but if you want security in your financial life, you must face your actions and the effects they have on your life.
Okay, now that you have stopped blaming everyone else for YOU being broke, we can now successfully work on getting out of debt and start building a stable financial ground.
You can be financially stable. You can live the good life once you are truly financially free. You can make your life a better one. But you have to do it. Make today the day you finally work towards a life where it’s your fault you’re rich.
 By The Weakonomist |
The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics. Also keep in mind that nothing I say can be construed as financial advice. |
