Simply Brilliant Budgeting

If the dream is BIG enough, the facts don't count. Without the dream we lack the vision and desire to do the work that it's going to take to achieve it.  

So...ask yourself this, "what is it that would add real meaning to my life and others that I can't have doing what I'm doing now?"

I had my answer in a conversation with a friend this morning of her life in the 1980's.

It's a familiar story of debts to high, funds to low.

She found a lot of solutions which became a great little book of ideas for surviving and even progressing in the lean time.

In Simply Brilliant Budgeting she highlights many of those strategies. 

Here's a sample of chapter one.

A New Beginning

Today I came across a statistic that for this day and age seems nothing short of incredible.

This applies only to Western Australia, a region of the world enjoying a mining boom and yet so many are struggling financially. So much so that thirty percent of people in prison are there on debt related charges.

In many cases their only crime was being unable to service their debts.

Worse than those who are in prison are the families on the outside who are probably suffering even greater economic stress as a result.  

One has to wonder how in the twenty first century with all that is available to us in the way of technology for travel, communication, entertainment and commerce how these people wound up in the situation in the first place.

As has been said quite often is some circles, "it's a jungle out there." In fact it's probably safer on the African Savannah than living in western society.

A big part of the problem is the lack of fiscal education and those who are trying to plug the leaks and help those in need are working with less and less resources.

This is why Economic Vision has teamed up with Morris Publishing Australia with an affordable presentation designed to make lasting changes to families and communities.

However Long It Takes.

There are a few memorable quotes that have been encouragement over the past fourteen years of putting an idea together and now it's time has come. Quotes like "if you don't quit you will make it." Bert Gulick and "never, never, never give up" Sir Winston Churchill.

Arriving at that moment when you just know, you feel it and even though it's still has challenges its worth it.  Just like the first time a parent holds their newborn, a singer is given recognition or (in my case) my first solo flight.  That moment when  you can see the plan laid out (in the case of the infant this will definitely change) and despite feelings of inadequacies you know very soon it will be something you do without even thinking about it.

Tomorrow is a new day in Economic Vision. It is the day that we take that first solo and in the word of singer/songwriter John White, The Skies No Limit.

There are a few key people who encouraged and inspired a commitment to bringing Economic Vision to life. To them a very special thanks, you know who you are and I truly value your friendship and support.

Over coming days and weeks I'll be posting updates and encourage anyone who is planning or doing anything that closely resembles their life's purpose to commit to it 110%, no matter what the odds.

Financial Focus.

There has been a huge shift in financial thinking in the last five years. For many it was the thought that the good times would never end. We could borrow for the things we wanted and pay it off over time.

This is one of the greatest traps to fall into. Our personal net worth is not made up of the “real” value of “real” assets more importantly it is made up of the surplus we can generate in our cashflow.

A prime example of this is farming where family may be asset rich, but for whatever reason, income poor. Don’t be deceived by the big equipment they have or the vehicle they may drive. It is all essential. Believe me living in the country you do need reliability.

So what does this mean to you. It means doing a checklist of what is essential to you and what is something you have because it feels or looks nice.

Back to the borrowed money and farming. The annual cost on a medium farm ranges upwards of a quarter of a million dollars, yet a single frost can wipe that amount off the annual income. And remember the big machinery, that is not factored into the annual expenditure.

So lets look at your situation. Have you considered what your current lifestyle is costing you in real terms? Particularly if that lifestyle is funded by the borrowed money we spoke of earlier.

The reason for this is in how the repayments are structured.

Too many small loans generally means a large amount going out each month (most lending institutions work on a monthly basis.) Then along comes your friendly finance person who says “we’ll simply absorb that into your home loan that way the interest rate will be lower and you won’t be paying as much.”

Actually you will be paying a lot more because even though the interest rate is lower it is being paid over a much longer period. Lending institutions love this one because interest paid on loans means long term income for them. Do they really care about you and your personal situation? Only insofar as your ability to give them the income/interest that you have gladly agreed to pay them.

There is a hard and fast rule to apply if you want financial freedom. Never, ever, ever assume anything. Sure there is acting on faith, but that alone isn’t enough without proper action.

So what can be done about overcoming the debt cycle. Step one is to “learn” from reputable sources what you need to know and do. One thing I found useful many years ago was a book that a highly successful business colleague gave me. That book was  “The Richest Man In Babylon” and I still take it off the shelf often to help keep my focus on track.

Even though it was written almost a hundred years ago the epic tale of one Babylonian’s rise from broke and indebted poverty as a slave to become financial secure, then financially free. It’s all spelled out in very simple steps that are as relevant today as they have been since the days of the fabulously wealthy Babylon, which existed over six thousand years ago.

Slave customs in ancient Babylon were strictly regulated by law. For example. a slave could own property even other slaves which his master had no claim over. Slaves married non-slaves. Children of free mothers were free. Most Babylonian merchants were slaves. Many in partnership with their masters and wealthy in their own right.

But debt and having to work long hours for low wages that fail to meet our cost of living is in itself a form of slavery. Financial freedom, when spoken of by those who have achieved it, is something that adds real quality and meaning to our lives.

Money is how success is measured, it can’t buy health but it’s interesting to note 

how the affluent of today are the lean trim and healthy ones.

We feel more secure with money than without, as I’ve said on many occasions, 

money is not important, it just ranks second to oxygen in our existence.

Learning how to control how you generate your money, cashflow is better, by being taught by those who already have achieved success removes a lot of stress and thereby adds to the enjoyment of life.

The principles and processes are simple. While you have debt you are controlled by those you have borrowed from.

Start by seeing yourself debt free. This can be a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but over time you’ll come to realise and work out how important being debt free can be in all areas of your life.

Even in the process of actively pursuing the dream of financial freedom you will find yourself feeling much happier about the potential future. Dreams do come true so pursue financial freedom, then you can become a force for good in your family, your community and who knows, the world?

Authors on Air, Again

      After twenty four years away from a studio, it was fun to be back and talk with Nicole O'Neill about Economic Vision. With the launch of our new platform including the re release of the book with a competent Australian publisher there has been an amazing and positive response from all levels of the community.

      We're now planning a monthly segment at KCR.fm.

     To learn how to improve your financial future go here.

Nicole O'Neill and Kim at KCR.fm. Kalamunda

discussing Economic Vision.

Authors on Air

     Nicole O'Neill interviewing Kathleen O'Dwyer at KCR.fm discussing Simply Brilliant Budgeting. Kathleen handled it like it was all just a part of a day at the office for an author. It was an interesting conversation to listen in on and will be posted later this week on the Economic Vision website. 

As Kathleen says, "Even if you think you’re doing all right now, there are ideas and strategies that can make things simpler, more effective, and improve your overall financial situation."

Check out Simply Brilliant Budgeting here.

The opening statement of the Economic Vision seminar is: 

"everything you have believed up until now will be changed, dramatically, with the insights and information you will receive over the next few hours.”

The fundamental principles of financial security not taught in schools and unless you have been fortunate enough to have a mentor then there is still a lot to learn.

Financial security and freedom are are among the key elements to a fulfilling life.