Freedom from a plan is not a plan at all

There are so many choices in the world of financial gurus right now that it can be crippling to decide which one to follow.  For a person who already has no financial plan whatsoever, and is essentially happy with that from a personality standpoint, the incentive to buckle down and choose someone to follow can seem nonexistent.  So, imagine a man in his sixties sitting in a dark apartment, adjusting his rabbit ears antennae on his TV set (yes, they still have those, even for the digital age) to try to get a better picture because he can't afford cable, or to turn the lights on.  He's eating a microwaveable entree because he can't afford to have his gas meter turned on (it's $25 a month just to use the service, before any gas flows to your home).  He would like to go out and see a movie with friends, but he has no money in his wallet.  This is a glimpse at the future with no financial plan.  And, it stinks!

The key to getting anywhere financially, according to just about everybody who is anybody is actually beginning the journey with the first step. For me, it is a matter of looking at someone who I would like to emulate, and doing what they do.  It is also important to avoid emulating people who are in places that I don't want to go.

Realize that everyone has a different idea of what the finish line should look like.  For some people, this means millions of dollars worth of real estate and stock with a hefty savings account on the side.  For some, it is a paid for cottage on a lake with a small row boat and a steady stream of bait money flowing into their modest checking account.  Still, others have designs on blowing out their 401k account and using the interest in their old age to travel the globe.  I have recently discovered a really interesting lifestyle pattern where a person sets up a few income streams with products and services that they barely have to be involved in and going someplace where their money is very strong and they can do just about anything they please.  The bottom line is, no one person can tell everyone on earth how they will best be happy and comfortable for the rest of their lives.  What about missionaries and monks who have taken vows of poverty and chosen to live out their days in service to their fellow man without the intrusion of monetary concerns at all.  Are they wrong?  Of course not!  They have made choices best suited to their personal goals.  And so should you.

But, know this.  Wherever on the map of life you have placed your pin and decided to go, you will need a plan to get there.  Do whatever it takes (for me, this means reading dozens of books and blogs) to find the destination of your dreams, find someone who has made it there, and go that way!  One day at a time, one step at a time, eventually you will begin to see progress.

For me, this means learning new ways to generate income to pay off our debts and eventually get a farm where we can have a few goats and chickens.  More on that later.

My primary point is that you will never get anywhere if you do not decide on a destination and take the first step toward getting there.  Simple as that.