A couple months ago we talked about how debt is not forever if you don’t want it to be (but act now – supplies are limited!), and that when you’re in this phase of deep do-do to remember just that: it’s a phase. And another, hopefully better one, is right around the corner.
But something else that’s always around the corner are those things in our lives that are forever. Those certainties that we can smile upon and be reminded that our lives aren’t as horrible as we may think they are sometimes ;) The things that can never be taken away from us, even if we go out and do something stupid again (and let’s admit it, that’s still going to happen).
Here’s a short list of some of these “forevers”…
- Everything you’ve learned about money! (Once you know it, you know it – even if you slip up)
- Every credit card you’ve ever paid off. (You can accumulate more, but the old is gone)
- Every accomplishment you’ve ever made. (They can never be taken away!)
- The love for your children. (Heart explosion!!)
- The love for your family. (Even creepy uncle Bill)
- The love for Orange is The New Black (Season 3 now here – woop!)
- And, while we still have a heart beat, all of our living and breathing and dreaming too.
And let me tell you something, money woes compared to breaths don’t even come close in importance. Every time you’re cursing yourself for not having enough or racking up debts, just remember that you’re alive and well right now. Compared to the trillions of people before you including billionaires. Death doesn’t discriminate, and I’m fairly confident the departed would gladly give up their gold for a chance to be revived again.
Point is, money problems aren’t forever unless you choose them to be. Once you know how money works – and more importantly, how you work – you take that knowledge with you forever.
So keep reading and learning and surrounding yourself with financially-sexy people, but also remember to make moves and take action too. You have to put the wisdom into practice for it to matter.
Happy Friday, y’all :)
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[Infinity love symbol by Nicolas Raymond]
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I love the message. I can’t believe the number of people who find my site because they are suicidal or depressed over their student loans. I’m shocked and saddened that this is how some folks are feeling. I hate my debt – but there is so much more to life than debt, and I’m happy about those things (though for me, it’s The Walking Dead, not OITNB. Who doesn’t love a zombie?)
Oh no!!! that makes me so SO very upset too – suicidal thoughts are no joke. Same for those in high school considering before they’re out of the bubble and realize what the REAL world is like. IE not high school! I’m glad they’re finding your site in the process – so good they’re reaching out and searching for answers.
Awesome reminder J Money. We’re so lucky to have such wonderful things that will be with us until the inevitable day we die, and to have the opportunity to work through difficult situations and leave them behind.
Hopefully Budgets are Sexy and Rockstar Finance come close to lasting forever too!!
I’ve been thinking a lot about legacy and what happens to our sites down the road too – esp when we pass :) You’ll see some mission changes w/ Rockstar here shortly that go along with it all.
Great reminder J Money. Some things do last forever and it’s better to focus on these things than things that do not last forever. Happy Friday!
Happy Friday to you too, sir :)
Great post! There is so much more to life than money. Although, having money, losing money and using money all have learning curves. You have to experience a lot of it to understand completely.
Very true indeed. And at least you glean some good wisdom by reading about *other* peoples’ failures too – which hopefully saves you from losing too much in life :)
Your timing is impeccable per usual.
That’s probably because I channeled you before sitting down and writing :)
Absolutely agree. The other half has one more week until he is unemployed and we are trying to be grateful for everything we have including that emergency fund that will get us through for a while if we need it! :)
That’s great news!!! About the E. Fund – not the unemployment :) Though often times you come back stronger than before and end up liking your new position/job/etc even better. Hopefully that’s the case w/ your other half too!
Well said. I like the angle you’ve taking that your money mistakes don’t have to last forever, but your financial knowledge can benefit you throughout your lifetime. And that the goal of life isn’t to play our financial cards perfectly, but to enjoy life. Playing our cards well helps us enjoy life but it isn’t everything.
I have been slacking lately and I really needed this reminder. Thanks!
Good!
Even creepy Uncle Bill?
Great reminder mate, it can be easy to just focus on the money reading PF blogs, but we are saving because we value all the other stuff.
Happy Friday :)
Yup! I love my PF blogs but man we get into that $$$ zone and forget to take a breather. Good to step back every now and then and remember what it’s all about :)
I read the other day that more people are afraid of living than of dying. I think that’s true.
Friday musings:P
Yay for Fridays! It’s always a good reminder to self that what’s important is my life, love, family, and not greenbacks!
Good perspective and so true! I must confess I may have already made it all the way through OITNB season 3….
I’m spreading it out and only watching an episode every other day or so :) No spoilers!
Great reminder to live our lives! I was part of a conversation very similar to this with my family after a close call with one of us.
yikes! glad it was a close call and nothing more!
There is sooo much emphasis on money in our society that it is easy to get sucked in
* if I have money I’m smarter ,better than others…if not I am a loser,jerk etc
*if I don’t have debt I’ve made all the right decisions…if I do than I’m not disciplined enough,made bad choices.was or am stupid…
Your post is great in that it reminds us that the FI path is a journey,and where ever you are on the path -beginning,middle or yikes! acheiving FI, it’s still an amazing path to be on.
And thank you for reminding us that yup! we are going to make mistakes and sometimes even the same mistakes,on the path. As a slow learner those reminders allow me to laugh at myself and resolve to try…again!
You know it, Madeline :) Keep chugging away.
Great Friday message! Have a wonderful weekend J$ :)
This is so true, I especially like the what you know you know even if you slip up. Right now I had a massive slip up that I just have to eat, nothing to terrible but frustrating just the same but where as before I would have been so frustrated and unsure of what to do next, now I know exactly what to do to fix it and even though it sets me back about 2 months of savings its not that frustrating.
Dang man, sorry to hear – never fun. Def. good the new you is smarter than the older one for recovery! :)
Great Article! In life, the world revolves on money, yet money doesn’t last forever. It’s always nice to be reminded the important things in life other than money.
Well said brother. We’re so obsessed with the present and future (and money and debt, etc etc etc) that we don’t take time to think about what really matters sometimes. Thanks for making me stop to think today.