Focus on financial freedom instead of debt

There is an interesting concept taught to race car drivers that also applies to consumers trying to reach their financial goals. One of the things drivers worry about the most is hitting the wall during the race. Trainers instruct their drivers to focus on going straight and maintaining speed, and that avoiding the wall is inevitable. People who focus too much attention on “hitting the wall” often find themselves in the position they feared most.

The same can be said about focusing too much on debt and other obstacles hindering financial success. Instead of focusing too much on the possibility of failure or ‘hitting the wall,’ concentrate on reaching financial freedom.

Each year during Financial Literacy Month, thousands of consumers take the pledge to begin the path toward financial freedom on FinancialLiteracyMonth.com. While this year’s month long financial literacy initiative is over, the quest for financial freedom continues. The financial educators at Money Management International offer the following tips on how to create wealth and avoid debt throughout the rest of the year.

Invest wisely. Many people find themselves in difficult financial distress because they have not properly prepared for emergencies or for the future. If you don’t want to end up broke, start putting things in place now to help you reach your financial goal/s.

• Start contributing to a 401(k) account or some other retirement investment. A little put away now will bring huge results later.
• Build an emergency savings fund. Prepare for the unexpected such as a job loss, home or car repairs, and even periodic expenses. This way you won’t have to rely on credit when these instances occur.

Hone your passion. Invest in a career that is rewarding and challenging. Don’t chase money. Many people are living their dreams and making money at the same time.

Protect assets. Insurance may seem like wasting money, but it will come in handy when it’s needed and could save you a boatload of emergency expenses. Make sure all your valuables are protected including yourself. Purchase the right coverage to avoid an unnecessary financial strain.

Pay off credit card debt. Carrying a credit card balance each month is not helping you. The money going towards payments could be put to good use in another area. Be careful not to charge more than you can afford to pay off in a reasonable amount of time (90 days or less). Also, don’t use more than 30 percent of your credit limit.

A good piece of advice on obtaining wealth is to simply live within your means. Spend less than you earn. Don’t buy a $60,000 car when you’re only earning $30,000. Develop some achievable financial goals and stay on course – and off the wall.

by MMI Resources