Are You Making the Most of Your Money?

I’m an American and I love this country but we have some issues. Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and suggest solutions to all of them here. I don’t have all the answer and I can’t tell you who does. The truth is, I think it’s hard to figure out what the real problems are these days. Everyone has a different opinion and the media will spin any give story any given way to sell advertising. But again, I am not here to list and/or suggest solutions to all of our problems.

There is one problem I do feel I can help people with however—money. I know you’ve heard it before. Between the Nigerian money scams and get-rich-quick schemes we are inundated with everyday, it’s hard to figure out what is real—just like I was saying above. So let me tell you what I am not. I am not a financial advisor or an accountant. I am not trying to sell you anything (Blogs are free!). I am not trying to get you to invest anything or lend me any money—this is not friends helping friends (a.k.a.: pyramid scheme). What I am trying to get you to do is send me cash for which I will re-pay you with a Money Order for more than your original investment—KIDDING! I am certainly not trying to pull that one over on you.

What I am all about is smart spending—using your hard-earned money wisely to make it go as far as possible.

Again, I am sure you have heard it all before. The difference here is that I am not trying to offer you the world for just three easy payments… All I have is logic and a few lessons in spending that I am pretty sure no one ever taught you.

Why listen to me? Well, I am in my mid 30s and I have a ½ million dollar home, 2 newer cars, and pretty much everything else I need in life—but I don’t have any dept. Now in all honesty, a $500,000 house isn’t all that impressive where I live—all I have is a decent house. My cars are from 2003 and a 2005. I could go on, but the point is I have pretty average things.

What’s not average about me is how I live financially. I don’t have any car payments. I don’t have any credit card dept, and my monthly mortgage is the cost of a typical car payment. And, no, I am not rich, I didn’t win the lottery, and I don’t have trust fund.

What I did have growing up however was a mom who taught me the value of a dollar and a lot of very good examples of how not to waste money. I feel I was taught a very, very valuable lesson, one that many were not.

What brings us both to this point, is that fact that everyone I see around me is in debt. These people, regardless of income, spend every penny they have before they even earn it. None of us have to live like that—and I am proof. My goal for this Blog is to offer others the education I was given. I really believe there are a lot of people who need it, and the more you say you don’t need it, the more I bet you do. This Blog is for everyone Young and old, rich and poor. If you are in debt or not, what I am going to share will help you.

This is just the first posting. I plan to do many more based on current events and my own personal experiences. I am going to tell you stories about friends and family (although I am going to changes the names to protect the innocent, namely me!). I am going offer up the things I do to remain debt free.

But ultimately I would like your story. If you come clean, and tell me your tale, I can help—I’m sure of it. I want to help you and share your story with the world. Don’t worry, I don’t need to even know your real name. The thing is, your story is not the only one of its kind. I promise there are other people like you out there with the same problem—probably more than you think. If you want help with your spending, drop me a line.

I guess this is a start. Let’s see where this takes us.

Bubba