What is Your Why?

[Chett]

I've just returned from vacationing in the Rocky Mountains with my son, dad, and friends. I feel refreshed and re-focused on life. We were able to spend six days camped in the midst of one of the most beautiful areas I've ever seen, traveling in between mountain passes, on mountain tops, and fishing in streams so clear you could see every detail of movement.

I wanted to write today to offer encouragement to everyone who feels stuck or helpless in their current situation. My vacation, my summer was completely unimaginable a few years ago. I have spent the past nine weeks home with my kids and working on projects of my choosing, in a career of my choosing, but none of it would have been possible if I was still in debt. I would still be trapped to the payments that had to be made, having little to no time for myself or my family. Debt is slavery, it confines you to situations you long to be free from, and forces you to labor your life away for someone else, not for yourself.

When you begin to pay your way out of debt, don't let the object of your focus become "getting wealthy" rather, focus your ambitions on gaining financial freedom. Getting wealthy or rich is a never ending pursuit. There isn't a dollar amount that signifies wealth, people always want more. We also seem to want to show our wealth to others, often putting us right back in debt. If you focus on financial freedom, you ignore wealth and what society wants you to prove as being wealthy, and instead focus on what will make you happiest and allow you to get the most out of life.

I write these things because I know from experience. As we paid our way out of debt and began to see we were getting out of debt, I focused my attention on becoming wealthy. I wanted to increase our income even more so that one day we could be "rich." This led to some of the dumbest decisions I've ever made personally and cost me precious time with my family. I worked more hours and pursued career avenues that promised large financial returns, but little personal value. The farther I traveled down this path the more I realized I was on the wrong one. One day I finally realized "rich" wouldn't make me happy and by the time I got there the better part of my life would be over. I decided to focus my income not only on getting out of debt, but being free financially to pursue my own career interests, spend time with my family, and invest my money not only in future returns, but present experiences. This was the best decision I have ever made.

Getting out of debt and gaining control of your finances isn't really about money, it's about life. Above the door leading into my classroom is a quote from Henry David Thoreau that says "The true cost of a thing is the amount of life you are willing to give up for it." This past week I spent time with my dad and my son doing things that we love. We spent nearly an entire week together riding in the mountains, exploring the Rockies, fishing, and just spending time together. In my previous life of debt this would not have been possible. In my previous life of pursuing wealth I wouldn't have had the ability to take the time off, nor would I have seen the importance of investing my time in these pursuits. As you continue to strive towards your own financial goals, let the object of your focus remain on gaining control of your life and living live on your terms.

What is your focus as you get out of debt and get into shape. Do you have any plans for your future that include more time with family, vacations, career changes, or personal challenges? Please share your driving purposes of your pursuits. I am reading a book that included the phrase, "Those who have a "why" can overcome nearly every "how." What is your "Why?"

[Natasha]

Your vacations sounds wonderful! Green, refreshing, fishing, water, hanging out with good friends....

We haven't taken our vacation, yet, but as a transplanted Southerner now living inone of the driest parts of the US, I miss real trees and water....

My personal challenge has ramped up. We are buying a house. The market in San Diego has finally gotten affordable and we qualify for excellent financing. So we hope to have a house by the end of the month and then move in when our contract in our current place ends in December.

Bringing my debt down has been tough since I went from fully employed to self-employed, but right now is my busiest season and I'm sending as much to the credit card as I can. I know the rate of payment will change when my income drops in a couple months, but I hope to make a substantianal dent now. And yes, I'm socking away 20% of my earnings for self-employment tax.

The other 5k. I *think* I could probably run a 5k tomorrow if I had to. I was coerced by family to do a 5 mile race on the 4th of July and I walked 2 miles, jogged a mile and a half and then limped the rest of the way to the finish line. But amazingly, although I was sore for the next few days, it did not exacerbate my injury so I've started ramping up my training. I think I've been too easy on myself and now that I'm pushing harder, my body is getting stronger faster. Getting stronger and out of pain is a big motivation -- I don't want to limp any more. And i want to lower my cholesterol, lower my resting pulse and feel energetic. Keeping my work-outs listed on a calender helps keep me focused.