Happy Fourth of July, everyone! As we celebrate our Independence Day, I think it’s time we think about what it means to be truly independent, starting with independence from debt. If you are someplace where you can take a minute to yourself, please join me in the following exercise.
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Take a moment to think about all of the debt and/or financial issues you have right this moment. I know this part isn’t fun but, it’s necessary so give it an honest try. If you are like most people, you probably think about them all the time so they are probably never far from your thoughts. Once you have them in your mind, sit still and close your eyes. Take a deep breath and picture yourself without any debt and with all the money you need to be stress free.
Try to make the visualization as real as you can. What does it feel like? Where are you? What things are you doing and who are you spending time with? Do you have more or less of something in your life? Are you at the same job or with your feet up someplace relaxing? Do you live somewhere different or in the same home with the same people.
Now that you have visualized it, take a moment to ask yourself if you think that reality is possible. Is there a world where you could possibly be independent of debt and living without the stress or fear of financial woes. If you are wondering whether or not that reality is possible, I can tell you it certainly is, for sure. I can hear you now, asking “how in the world is it possible for me to get from where I am right now, to the stress-free life of being debt independent?”
That is an age-old question that folks have been asking for years and years. How can they get more money? Well, if I’ve learned one thing over the last year and a half, it’s this. Money is out there and you can get it. You just have to ask yourself what you are willing to do to in order to acquire it (nothing illegal, please).
Last year, we suffered the biggest economic hit we’ve had since the 2008 recession. That was a real night mare, people were losing their homes and jobs left and right. Last year, while people lost their jobs and housing took a big hit, things didn’t get quite as bad as they did in 2008. That is largely due to the unemployment assistance and eviction moratorium established by Congress and the CDC.
Even though industries like hospitality, travel and entertainment took a major hit, with many of their employees losing their jobs, people still made, saved and spent money. The stock market bounced back from its initial downturn and went on to regain its losses and find stability.
Now, what does this mean for you and what does this have to do with you becoming independent from debt? Well, first and foremost, you have to be willing to “suspend your disbelief” about your ability to become independent from debt. There is plenty of evidence out in the world to prove that you can become debt free and live your ideal lifestyle. All you have to do is google “pandemic billionaires” and you’ll see what I mean.
Okay, okay, I know most people are not likely to achieve billionaire status (or to even want to, for that matter). However, if you google “pandemic entrepreneurs,” you’ll find that millions of people decided to take the leap and start their own businesses, giving birth to a whole generation of people from which tomorrow’s millionaires will emerge. My point is money is out there and people are making it.
Once you’ve established your willingness to suspend your disbelief and visualize yourself in your ideal lifestyle, the next step is making a plan. There are so many resources out there for budding entrepreneurs to help you formulate your idea and bootstrap it into existence. Millions of people are out there doing it and you can to.
“What if I fail?” Well, it’s a possibility. You can take that from me. I have failed plenty in my life, for sure. Including financially. However, those failures taught me something important each time and I am a far richer person for it, professionally, emotionally AND financially. I wouldn’t let the fear of failure (or actual failure), stop me. Neither should you.
My one caution is never invest money that you can’t afford to lose. Aside from that, get out there and give it a chance. The road to independence from debt starts with you, where you are right now. Every billionaire had to start somewhere, right?
Happy Independence Day!
P.S. Make sure you check out my online courses, books and resources, too! Investing in your money management education is an investment in yourself. That’s the best investment you’ll ever make, I guarantee it!. Don’t forget my weekly Facebook live videos on Facebook.com/newcashview, Instagram @joyalfordbrand and on my YouTube channel NCVTV. You can catch me on Thursday evenings after 9:00 (Eastern Standard time), for my weekly NCVTV episode. They are packed full of useful and entertaining money management information! If you’ve missed any NCVTV episodes, you can see the latest on newcashview.com or you can check out my YouTube channel and get caught up! You can get there by clicking here. Remember, like and share the NCVTV videos on Facebook and all your social media platforms, so others can benefit from them, too!