My debt-free secret? Aligned action
Our hydrangeas are blooming more than ever before. The secret? Fall pruning. Last year I noticed we had two plants that didn't bloom at all. Knowing zero about hydrangea care, I conducted some very formal research (YouTube) and purchased necessary instruments (pruning shears) before giving it a go. Et voila! More hydrangea blooms than ever before - but only after I took intentional, aligned action that synched with my goal of having a more vibrant backyard.
This same aligned action can benefit us when it comes to personal finances. We're bound to experience more of the same - but instead of a lackluster backyard it could be living paycheck to paycheck, endless credit card bills, or delaying that dream vacation… again.
I know because I've been there. We've paid off over $500k in debt, including our mortgage. We didn't accomplish this because we received an inheritance; we didn't even make six figure salaries. Our aligned action was tracking what we owed on everything (and boy did we have a lot of different types of debts!), paying extra on principal, working overtime, and opting to forego vacations to prioritize debt payoff. The result? Financial freedom and the ability to travel the world.
Aligned action takes intention. To stay motivated, your financial goals should be strong. Like…it has to be bigger than "I want more money". Go deeper. Perhaps you desire more time with your family. Or the ability to quit that 2nd job. Or to finally take that trip to Italy you've put off for a decade. There are many ways to reach financial goals and the approach should be customized to you and your situation. Working with a financial counselor can be that first step towards understanding exactly where to cut to produce the most vibrant bloom.
It's never too late to begin prioritizing your happiness.
