Do you know how much money you need to last the rest of your life? Do you know how much you need to get through the next 12 months? What if something unexpected happens, like a home repair you weren’t expecting or you have an opportunity to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip? Nearly everyone faces financial challenges and uncertainties. It’s how you respond to them that makes the difference between financial success and failure.
A teacher of mine used to say, “You can’t get where you’re going if you don’t know where you’re starting from.” Say you are trying to get to New York and a friend gave you a very detailed map. If you have no idea where you currently are on the map, you won’t know what direction to travel. The same is true with your finances. Your financial goals are your destination but you have no way to plot a course if you don’t know your starting point.
I love the tip jar at a local restaurant which says, “Afraid of Change? Leave it here.” It’s a common belief – that most people are afraid of change. And financial change can be scary.
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