Pride & Opinions

Ideally, you would have started this process on January 1st, but since it’s only the 3rd, I think we can just wrap the extra two days in there some weekend, and catch up. Plus, I think the link is sufficiently good that even starting now would be a good idea. In fact, it’s one of those things I’ve been meaning to write about - and do - since the series came out last year, but never did. Want to do it with me?

The idea is pretty straight forward: Use the Month of January to fix your finances by doing set tasks each day that advance a larger goal. The Simple Dollar has the tasks grouped into different stages, with different sections for each stage. Luckily for us, Stage 1 has 3 tasks, so you can think about them and maybe even be caught up to day 4 by the time it rolls around tomorrow:

Stage 1: Figuring Out Your Goals And Values

Day 1: Your Five Main Values
Day 2: Defining Your Goals From Your Values
Day 3: Create A Plan For Each Goal

The underlying challenge that most people have with their finances is that they see money as distinctly separate from the rest of their life. Money is an antagonist, an enemy that keeps you from doing what you want to be doing. The truth is that money is merely a tool, and when you find yourself feeling as though money is an antagonist, it is no different than a person attempting to learn how to use a heavy sword; it’s unwieldy and dangerous.

The first step for learning how to integrate money into your life and use it successfully as a tool is to figure out what exactly you wish to build with that tool. Without underlying values, goals, and plans, money is no different than swinging a hammer around without building something. Thus, this first stage is crucial: what exactly is most important to you, and what will it take to adequately support those values?

I’ll be checking in each week with updates on my finance progress, so feel free to check in as well. Maybe by the end up January we’ll all be doing a little better.

GLBT, finances, New Year’s resolution

GLBT, finances, New Year’s resolution