staying positive
The last time I had a big money goal, it was to pay off the last of my old credit card debt. I worked on it for many months. Sacrificed for it, planned for it… scribbled on the backs of countless envelopes… I came so very, very close. I had even started to save a little bit of money from each paycheck towards My Own Home. And then I was laid off from my job.
I didn’t panic, even though part of me wanted to do exactly that. Instead, I took my entire severance pay and put it into the My Own Home account, but I didn’t do it with a lot of enthusiasm. I figured that since I wasn’t employed, there wasn’t any point in getting too attached to the money, because financial need might make me have to raid the account. In case you were wondering, that’s why I put the word "tentative" next to this blog’s My Own Home progress bar.
Here I am, seven months later, making more money as a temporary employee than I’ve ever made before, and saving at a faster rate than I ever anticipated before I was laid off. I am blessed. Today, I am 94% of the way towards my down payment goal, and given my prospects at work, I can reasonably anticipate that I will meet my goal by the end of this month, enabling me to move on to beefing up my Emergency Fund. I am in awe - I’m on the cusp!
But I did have these fleeting thoughts: What if my project ends earlier than I think it will? What if I have to dip into my savings? Last time I got soooo close without actually finishing - what if it happens again? Maybe I shouldn’t get my hopes up too high, too fast.
Guess what? I can’t afford to do this to myself. I have to stay positive and not get pushed around by fear. When I was laid off, I wasn’t able to pay off the last of that debt for another two months, but that wait didn’t kill me! When it was all said and done, I did eventually reach my goal. If for some reason I’m not able to save any more for a while, I’m still 94% of the way there. And even if I wind up having to dip into the account, it can be replenished when (not if) I’m able. What’s to fear? Only a negative attitude.
I’m just going to continue to push and push enthusiastically until that progress bar gets all the way over to 100%! That’s where my head is at. And that’s where I’m going to keep it.
Thanks for this. It allowed me to see what thoughts I allow to creep in. I’m back on track, especially since I know I’m on the move.
Peace
ps. Glad you had such a good time in the N O.
Comment by DynamicWealthyDiva — July 11, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
The financial part of your life will always be up and down — just like the stock market. Sometimes you’ll be flush, with a good job and lots to save. Sometimes you’ll wonder how you’ll pay the next bill.
All you can do to smooth out the ups and downs is save and prepare. The rainy day money is there for a reason. Eventually it will rain.
The fact that you can and do save when the weather is sunny should give you confidence for the next coming storm. It’s on the horizon. It will arrive. But the magnitude that it impacts your life is under your control.
Keep living below your means. Save the pennies. Watch the expenses you take on. Your savings will eventually become the best buffer against uncertainty.
I started with absolutely nothing at age 21. Now, I don’t fear the rainy day.
Comment by Double Cross — July 13, 2008 @ 11:44 am