Recently, I went on a weekend trip to New
York City . It
had been years since I had been last, and I was really looking forward to the
trip. Overall, I had a great time
playing tourist. So much to see, so much
walking.
But the highlight and low light of the trip wasn't in
NYC. They were the bus rides.
Imagine yourself on a roller coaster. The anticipation, the “excitement” when
plunging down the track, white knuckles, and screaming like a little girl –
well, maybe not that last part. Whether
or not you like roller coasters, there is always excitement plus a large dose
of fear.
Well, that describes the bus ride to NYC. I've never been so scared on the
highway. My hands were sweating, and I honestly couldn't believe we didn't hit anything. I've never seen a bus weave in and out of
traffic like that. It was quite, um, “exciting”
with an extra large dose of fear.
In contrast, the ride home was smooth and calm. No tire squealing turns. No tail gating small cars in the left lane on
the highway. No stop light to stop light
drag races. And no using NYC taxis and
pedestrians as an obstacle course.
And I was much calmer.
No sweaty palms and certainly no screams like a little girl.
What does this have to do with personal finance?
The average American family has to juggle lots of
priorities: paying down debt, saving for
retirement, saving for college or a vacation, paying day to day bills, spending
time with family while trying to succeed at work.
And all of these choices, with a set amount of income, can
lead to a lot of stress.
Think back to a time when money was tight. Maybe when you first started out on your own
or maybe that was last year. Worrying
about money until you get paid again.
Not being able to take advantage of opportunities, like sales. Not being able to enjoy a night out or
vacation because you’re worried about having enough money afterward.
You survived. Or you
are surviving. But do you really like
having that stress? Would you want to go
back to that situation? Of course not.
Lots of people make resolutions about health and money. And rarely do people keep them.
Do yourself a favor - keep your money resolution and it will
help your health.
As a popular financial celebrity once said, “A big part of
financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the
what-ifs of life.”
