Does Money Control You?
Are you controlling money or is money controlling you?
10 Signs Money Is Controlling You
- You constantly worry about having enough money
- You often wish you could buy more things
- Your only goal in life is to get rich, but you have no realistic plan
- You spend money to feel better
- You blame others for your financial problems (government, boss, spouse)
- You judge people based on the amount of money they have
- You lie, cheat or steal to get money; even a little lying or cheating shows money is controlling you
- You take unnecessary financial risks
- You use credit to buy things that decrease in value, such as expensive cars or expensive clothing
- Money controls your mood—you feel good or bad based on your finances
10 Signs You Are Controlling Money
- You decide to buy something, save the money, and get what you want
- You buy things that increase in value
- You invest in yourself, such as more education or personal improvement
- You donate to causes you believe in, even if just small amounts
- You keep your financial agreements
- You have good credit
- You pay your taxes
- Cheating you out of your money is very difficult
- Each year, your earning power improves and financial worth increases
- You use money as a tool to follow your dreams and reach your goals
Five Ways to Take More Control of Money
1. Spend your money according to a plan.
“THE LESS AMOUNT OF INCOME AN ORGANIZATION OR AN INDIVIDUAL HAS, THE MORE CAREFULLY AND WISELY FINANCIAL PLANNING MUST BE DONE.” — L. Ron Hubbard
If you spend money as you get it, or to pay off squeaky wheels, you have no plan. You spend a few bucks here and a few bucks there until your money is gone. Instead, take control and write a financial spending plan. Decide in advance how you will spend your money.
When you plan your spending, you make better decisions. Examples: “If I buy these extra classes, I’ll get a raise.“ ”I want a new car and will set aside $60 per week until I have the full amount.” “If I pay off this credit card with the minimum payments, it’ll take me 23 YEARS to pay it off! I’d better pay $100 extra each month and cut the stupid thing in half!”
2. Never spend more than you make.
“Make all the money you can. Spend less than that. That’s the simple ABC of financial control.” — L. Ron Hubbard
When planning your spending, ensure you follow the above rule. For example, “Each week I will set aside $______ for the house, 10% to education, 5% to savings, pay current bills and buy food. Anything left can be spent on fun things like movies and vacations.”
3. Stop wasting your time trying to get money without earning it.
“One has to produce something to exchange for money.” “One exchanges something valuable for something valuable.” — L. Ron Hubbard
Do not gamble, play the lottery or try to cheat others. Do not wait for your fortune to arrive or expect someone to hand you money. Count only on yourself.
Get rich the old reliable way. Create something valuable and exchange it for the money you want. You deserve it, because you earn it.
4. Increase your productivity and improve the quality of your work.
“Produce in abundance and try to give better-than-expected quality.” — L. Ron Hubbard
For example, if you give haircuts for a living, find ways to make your customers’ hair look more beautiful. If you fix furnaces and usually fix two per day, figure out how to fix three furnaces per day . . . and then train and manage other furnace-repair people.
5. Make constant, steady progress.
“THE TOTALITY* OF POWER IS ORDERLY PROGRESS.” — L. Ron Hubbard *(Totality: quality or state of being total or complete.)
Keep track of your financial progress. For example, make a graph showing your total debts and total savings. Then make sure your savings go up every month and your debts go down every month, even if just a little bit.
When you know you are steadily improving your financial condition, you are controlling it.
Once you are in control of money, you can focus on your more important purposes.