“Never spend your money before you have earned it.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
I want to start with expressing my deepest appreciation for your loyalty and interest in my work – following me on social media, reading my blog, newsletter and books! YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT – your drive to expand, to be bigger, to live your dream life, to contribute your skills and talents to the world is remarkable and admirable!
You know that you were meant to have more abundance, meaning and joy in your life! You know that it is possible! And yes, you are my real reason for cancelling my early retirement plans (LOL) and sharing my own skills and talents to help and support you!
I hope you took advantage of the incredible offer I made last week to celebrate the launch of my second book “A Shift Toward Abundance.” on Amazon. It is an easy-to-read small book (INTENTIONALLY) with value-packed content. The special promotional offer for kindle book version is only $0.99 and it includes not only FREE Audiobook but also many incredible GIFTS from other coaches and authors (worth over $400!)
This promotional offer expires on Thursday, March 31st – grab it, take advantage of it! I honestly can tell you that you will find at least a dozen of strategies and ideas there that may very well change the course of your financial life!
OK, now let’s talk about one of the most important aspect of Wealth Creation – SPENDING. As a first generation immigrant to America, I experienced a modest lifestyle after arriving. Although well educated, my family had a very humble beginning in this country. I was happy about every work opportunity, even the minimum wage jobs I had, because it was an opportunity to take care of my family’s needs.
During that time we were spending 80 percent of the money we earned on necessities (food, clothing, transportation, job searches) but we never felt poor. Although we worked hard just to make ends meet, we enjoyed quality time with family and friends, felt blessed for the opportunity to live in a great country and were inspired to achieve financial freedom.
Whatever your current income may be, you can plan for spending in such a way that would allow you to live comfortably and enjoy life. The opposite of this kind of positive spending is wasteful spending, leading to depletion and lack. Wasteful spending is also involved when you are carrying the burden of high risk (as in buying into get-rich-quick schemes).
The truth about money is interesting! You can enjoy life on a modest income and yet feel miserable while making a fortune. Your family can be just as happy in a $300,000 house as in a house valued at $3,000,000 million. Driving a decent used car will get you to your destination the same way as a new one but you will not lose money for paying a premium to drive the latest season model. Dining at home more often than at a restaurant allows you to have quality homemade food and to save money.
You can create a stylish look by having fewer, better quality clothes, and learning how to put them together in a way that embellishes your appearance. You can find great vacation opportunities on a relatively small budget—just research on the Internet. Many luxuries can be discovered for very little money. Challenge yourself to find them, then enjoy the surprise.
Whatever you want to buy, do it because YOU want it and can afford it, not to impress family members, neighbors or colleagues. Owning expensive things is far less important than having an attentive, compassionate and kind personality.
It is very difficult to accumulate wealth and achieve financial freedom if your spending appetite increases every time your income goes up. Your spending money jar has a hole in it…everything you put in it will be gone by the end of the year unless you can re-fill it as fast as you spend it.
Be mindful of your spending appetite. Setting very aggressive financial goals or desiring and acquiring expensive toys—fancy new cars, extravagant vacations, exquisite jewelry, etc.—drives many smart folks to take greater risks.
Some very successful people experience financial ruin by taking too much risk—spending faster than earning. When it comes to wealth building, spending money conservatively is the key.
Again, my prudent Wealth Creation and Management System is simple, easy to practice and it works. It requires your desire to win the money game, a bit of common sense and a commitment to stay the course. This system will abolish your money drama and allow you to live well now and in the future.
I am going to continue sharing with you my spending, saving and investment strategies in the coming weeks – stay tuned!
*Some of the text is taken from my bestselling book “A Shift Toward Abundance”
To Your Health, Wealth and Freedom!
With Love and Gratitude,
Millen Livis
Thank you Millen for sharing this! At this stage the things I find myself investing in is in my own education. Online courses, seminars, and information products where I’ve learned some new techniques and perspectives that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. One of the amazing side effects is that I’ve attracted the type of people (growth oriented, positive) that I’ve always wanted, and it’s also contributing to my own growth.
Sounds really good, Nancy! I believe that investing in yourself – your education and growth- provides the highest return on investment there is. I too invested hundreds of thousands in my growth and cannot imagine where I would be now if I didn’t. Thank you for sharing your perspective!