The What is Fitness Series?#Financial Fitness!

Money! The world functions because of it. Money is energy, it is an exchange tool. Money becomes what we want from it and it becomes an extension of who we are. Without money, we would not be where we are in modern society nor would we be able to pursue and progress our lives to become what we envision. We would not be able create and live life’s experiences.

It is ok to love money! It is important to respect money as if it were our friend because money is our friend. When we disrespect money, it cannot do the things we ask of it. One of my appreciations of money is that it has allowed me to pursue my professional goals, travel and see the world, purchase a home and a car, give a home to my beloved dog, Peanut, and live life as I would like.

Much like love or respect for money, it is possible to hate and disrespect money. Some people live life not appreciating its worth and value. Money can lead to stress and poor decisions. As a result we chase money as we live life paycheck to paycheck. When I know I have over spent on things that are less meaningful and/or if I spend money in the wrong order, I have felt the stress that the lack of money can bring.

First, I am not a financial advisor but I was raised with some simple concepts that have paid off for me over the years. For example, one of the basic tenants of being financially fit is to allow time do much of the work. One concept I live by, is that no one has first crack at my money before I do! This means I pay myself first! I do so by placing at least 10% of my earnings in a Vanguard Account. I recommend others do the same. Put some money in the account and let time do the rest. Other concepts includes paying for responsibilities; those things that allow you to live your life. Pay off those things that are priorities such as a mortgage, bills, car payments, your health, that of your offspring and your pets. The kind of things that if you don’t do so, it can and will be taken from you. Then pay for sustainables such as groceries, clothing’s items, the things that can be lived without and still survive. Finally, if there is enough left over, then get the “I gotta have items”.

Some of these ideas were instilled in me from my family upbringing however there are some good books that I have read regarding the simple approach to making money. One of those books is called the Latte Factor, written by David Bach. This is a great book written in parable form depicting how much money over time we spend on items such as a simple cup of coffee and how we can save money by making coffee at home. Considering the cost of time, it takes to make a cup of coffee at home while we are able to do something else like getting dressed for work versus getting into a long line at Starbucks, waiting while our engine ideals more gas away, then paying twice as much as it would cost at the house. Then essentially by giving the business our money we make that business richer, while we become less rich, one cup at a time.

I am working on saving 50% of my paychecks and placing 10% of what I make into my vanguard account every month. Then I make sure I pay my mortgage, HOA and other bills. Then I allow myself to purchase important grocery items, supplements, and other desirables that support my health and fitness. When it comes to a cup of coffee, I make my coffee at home. Sure, I enjoy going to a local coffee house but this is a rare treat. Another important mention about coffee at home vs a coffee house, is that when we make it at home, we can control what goes into our cup which leads to better health so long as we are not dumping unhealthy amounts of sugar in each cup which eventually dilutes the health benefits of black coffee itself.