Working Until You Are Dead
I remember my first job. It was exciting being able to earn money and spend it. Then I got a raise so I bought a new car (and a car loan). Another raise, moved out from home (and paid rent). Another raise purchased my first home (and paid a mortgage). It was this cycle that showed me that each time more money came into my life that my living expenses increased to match my income. I came to the realisation that the more I earned the more I spent because I worked hard and I deserved it. I soon discovered that this way of thinking is wrong and dangerous.
Myself, much like the other people that I worked with only wanted to keep moving forward. To buy that new phone, to buy that new car and live in that location. But why? Why do we see the need to keep spending unwisely and increasing our lifestyle based on our increase in income? What if income was reduced? How would you maintain the lifestyle you have created?
It then got me to thinking about the people in my life that are, unfortunately, working themselves to death. Take an example of a working mum and dad with two kids as an example. A big mortgage, dad working 6 days a week, mum working Thursday nights and weekends to make ends meet and most likely will be doing the same until the day they die. Why perhaps? I wondered… could they be living the life I once did by increasing their lifestyle based on their income? Perhaps…. but who can maintain working all the time? The stress on your body, the stress on relationships… What about time for family? There was hardly time where both parents were home together with their young children to appreciate these two beautiful lives they have brought into the world… No time for “couple time,” no time for “fun,” just work, food, dinner, bed – repeat. Sadly this is the realisation of many Australians from all walks of life whether it be high or low income, it becomes mentality.
It is never the persons fault. It is always “my boss doesn’t pay me enough,” “I get taxed too much” mentality.
So who created the “mentality?” Well, you can see it every day, through politics, through buy now/pay later schemes, through the release of a new “apple” product. The constant rollercoaster of businesses needing to move product and sell product now to stay relevant pitch the ideas that niggle at you and if you don’t have what they are selling then you need it to be successful and/or relevant in life. It’s simply not true!
What do the parents have in common? Two new cars in the driveway, holidays travelling away twice a year to spend 2 straight weeks with their kids (out of 52). They have the “mentality” of the system where they must keep up for fear of being left behind, for fear of not being respected or worthy.
It is not the media or the businesses selling ideas to you, the tax man robbing you or your boss not paying your worth. The mentality comes down to you and how you handle money. Ask yourself this question: Which of these would you rather? Living below your means and having savings, bills paid on time, time with your friends and family, time for sports, time for self and couple enjoyment… OR working 6 days a week with zero time for your children? You would take the first option surely… who wouldn’t? So who can create the life they have desired well the answer is exciting – IT’S YOU!
We can support you! Find out how. Call us today 0420 846 454 – at Adelaide Budgeting, we are here to help!
At Adelaide Budgeting we are a small and passionate team dedicated to making budgeting simple, easy and fun. We pride ourselves on the ability to remove anxiety and create empowerment around budgeting for each and every single one of our clients without the extreme costs of other “leading” service providers.
Find out how we can help you today – 0420 846 454. What have you got to lose?
