In the year of 2005, I did a lot of reading, which is quite normal for me, but I came across some real good material that I would like to share with you.  Just imagine one of the books I bought was mainly just for one page in the entire book.  The information shared on that page was worth it all.  I may one day read another page of the book.

Now at the age of 55, I’ve come to accept that one of the things in life that is constant is CHANGE.  Oxymoron, no it’s just the way life is.  So I go into this New Year with a better understanding that there are more changes to be made.

Lots of people's financial situation needs some change to be improved.  This is what this article is about, making changes with our finances.  We all have items that we purchase on a regular basis that is not absolutely necessary, we just enjoy having them.  Well let’s take a look at some of the popular ones that if we are willing to eliminate, will increase our finances or rather will not deplete our finances.

Excerpts from Dining on a Dime Cook Book by T.Kellam & J. Cooper

 Look how much you would save in a year if you cut out just ONE thing.

1. 1 bag of potato chips, at the cost of $2.99, once a week, you can save $155.48 per year.
2. 6-pack of soda, at the cost of $2.00, once a week, you can save $104.00 per year.
3. Reduce meat by 1.5 pounds, two nights a week, you can save  $468.00 per year.
4. 1 box granola cereal, at the cost of $4.00, once a week, you can save $208.00 per year.
5. 1 cup of juice in a family of 4, at the cost of $1.50, once a day, you can save $547.50 per year.

If you regularly purchase items at a convenience store or a coffee shop, you can save the following:

1. 1 liter of soda at the cost of $1.00, once a day, you can save $365.00 per year.
2. 1 gourmet coffee at the cost of $3.65, once a day, you can save $1,332.25 per year.
3. 1 liter of bottled water at the cost of $1.25, once a day, you can save $456.25 per year.
4. 1 2-pack snack cake at the cost of $1.25, once a day, you can save $456.25 per year.

1. Dinner at $30.00 once a week, you can save $1,560.00 per year.
2. Dinner at $40.00 once a week, you can save $2,080.00 per year.
3. Pizza delivered at $20.00 once a week, you can save $1,040.00 per year.

The big one, lunch at $5.00 person for one month (20 days) you can save $100.00 a month and $1200.00 per year.

A whopping total of $9,972.73, you can save.

To see the real effect of these savings you should actually put the money saved in a savings account until the end of one year.  Think about what you can really invest in if you did put one, some or all of these savings into practice.  Remember these may be very conservative prices depending on what city you live in, so your savings may be even greater. Look at the other items that were not listed but you purchase on a regular basis, do the math and add those to you personal list.

Excerpt from The Total Money Makeover Workbook by Dave Ramsey

Key Concept #3

Take a Short, Painful Walk into a Lifetime of Success

This Total Money Makeover Workbook is based on one very simple motto:

“If you will live like no one else NOW… LATER you can live like no one else.”
Living like no one else NOW means living a sacrificial, highly focused, purpose-driven life when it comes to your money.

Living like no one else LATER means living without the worry, frustration, stress, or fear that comes from constantly being on the bring of financial disaster.  It means living LATER with feelings of confidence, hope, and joy related to money.

What About You?

Are you willing to change YOU?  Honestly?

There are countless millions of people who look in the mirror and believe they SHOULD become more fit.  Many of these people will say, “Yes, I NEED to change.  I’d LIKE to change.”  But when it comes right down to changing, the DON’T change.  Why?  The foremost reason is because they don’t like change – period.  They don’t want to alter any aspect of their lives.  They see change as difficult to impossible or, at the very least, uncomfortable.

I agree.  Change always has an element of sacrifice to it.  It always has an element of self-denial.  Any change that truly results in growth or improvement has an element of pain associated with it.

So let me ask again: Are you willing to change YOU?

Exercise #5

The Willingness to Change

In each pair of opposite statements, circle the one that most clearly represents you in ALL areas of your life.

I like change.

I’m willing to learn.

I’m willing to adjust my habits if it means a better life.

I’m capable of changing.

I am capable of enduring some pain, difficulty, and sacrifice if the goal is worth it.

I can deny myself certain “pleasures” now for long-term pleasure later.

I am willing to do without some things now in order to have the life I truly want later.

I rather have the pain of change than have the pain of money problems.

I hate change.

I’m not willing to learn.

I like my habits, and I don’t believe I’ll have to change any of them.
I don’t think I can change.

I’m truly not willing to experience ANY pain, difficulty, or sacrifice.

I’m not into denial of any kind.

I’m not willing to give up anything I currently have or routinely experience.

I’d rather live with the pain of money problems than experience the pain of change.

Take a long, hard look at your answers above.  If you aren’t willing to make some painful changes in your life for the short-run…  there’s no reason to continue in this book.  I suggest you stomp reading and then come back to this workbook when the pain of your current financial situation become unbearable or you’ve reached the point that you ARE willing to trade in the pain of money problems for the pain of change.  It’s only as you are willing to CHANGE that a money makeover will work for you.

Complete the motto if you can:

Yes, it is time for change in our financial situations and for us to take charge of our finances rather than our finances taking charge of us. I’m making preparation to save by not buying breakfast and lunch every day, it usually cost me more that $5.00 for lunch every day, a savings of $1200.00 in a year.  I’ve personally begun some financial changes by purchasing two of Dave Ramsey’s books and have implemented those items that I needed financial change in.  My husband and I have invested into our five children by purchasing them these books also with encouragement to utilize them to the fullest. 

It’s a New Year, let us all make some financial changes that will make a better financial future for us. 

Florence A. Trent
Reaching Inner Being Ministries
E-mail address: ribmin5@hotmail.com

Copyright © 2006 Wardheernews.com