Life is expensive! For many, the issue is more about learning to live within your means less about having enough money. We intended to make you feel confident about stepping into the life you’ve always wanted. Having multiple streams of income is the new path to financial freedom. The idea of being a millionaire is naturally very attractive and would almost guarantee the luxury and opulence that so many seem to crave. Living the American Dream is a common goal shared by most if not all Americans and working people everywhere. Ideally, we want the maximum pay for minimal work, effort, or use of resources. If we can’t have that, we’ll accept being paid to do the things we love and are passionate about as a close second.
Is there an actual income benchmark that will guarantee an achievable life? Is it practical to expect to be able to actually have good credit and live a great lifestyle on your current income? Every social media outlet to be named is filled with images and quotes full of inspiration and motivation encouraging individuals to pursue their passions and never give up! These admonitions are edifying, however, a common conception about business is that “It takes money to make money.” After reading this article, you may not find it so far-fetched to believe that one can live quite comfortably and maintain healthy credit with any income, family size, and demographic.
At the core of the conversation is quality. Having good credit provides access and resources to improve the quality of our lives and mobilizes us to do the things we want to do most with the people we care for most. Naturally, what is comfortable for one may not be for the other. Family size, geographic location, and cost of living are just a few factors impacting what it takes to live comfortably. However, what we do all have to share is the fact that, unless you were born into wealth, you likely spend your time trying to strike a balance between the time you spend making a living and the time you spend actually living!
Nevertheless, there are a great many who do not seem to have an overwhelming yearning to accumulate wealth far beyond what they require to support a comfortable life for themselves and their families. In fact, more often than not, what many people really desire is the liberty that comes with no longer needing to trade time for money. Ultimately, what defines luxury for the majority is to simply reduce the amount of time spent trying to make money.
Localize: If you live far from your current job you may want to consider a move. Cutting your commute will increase your quality of life by reducing the stress and anxiety associated with driving in traffic. You will also save on gas and vehicle maintenance.
Make a Plan: When you’re thinking of buying, plan…plan…plan! There’s no reason to rush into a mortgage or property purchase. If you cannot comfortably handle the down payment, closing costs, and annual taxes don’t sweat it. It may not be time for you to buy. When you do buy, try to make a habit of paying “mortgage and a half”. By that I mean pay one half mortgage payment more than you are required. For example, if your payment is $800, pay $1200 to burn your mortgage early and free up your future income! A little discipline now can lead to a lot more freedom later.
Give to Get: This may seem counter-intuitive. But, hear me out! Luxury is not just about labels and digits on a paycheck. It is also very much about living your best life and doing the things that make you most happy and fulfilled. While volunteering will not earn you money, it’s a great way to incorporate doing something you enjoy and helping others all at once. Also, the skills you acquire can always be added to your resume and may even give you an advantage for future opportunities.
May these three simple steps encourage or even compel you to begin moving towards your best life, beginning with good credit!