Instead of this week’s round of miscellaneous updates, I’d like to take a moment to share some of the thoughts I’ve had while reading other people’s blogs throughout the past few months. While some may consider this post to be one huge rant or hugely judgmental, I can’t discount the idea of using it as a medium to encourage people to stop making excuses when it comes to their finances.
I’ve written about this in the past with my own personal call to action in my excuses aren’t valid anymore post as well as my post from earlier this month about how excuses and saving money don’t mix, but now I want to make one thing as crystal clear as possible: You own your financial destiny, not anyone else. Yes, there are circumstances out of our control that throw wrenches into our plans and there are speed bumps along the way as we cruise from a state of fiscal disaster to financial security. But nobody can take away your drive, ambition, and hard work–unless you let them.
Stop Making Excuses
- If you’re not making enough money to make ends meet or live the life you feel you deserve, find a way to bring in more. There are thousands of ways to make extra money–find one or two that work for you and get on it already. Every minute you waste debating or lamenting your situation is a minute of potential income opportunity wasted. There’s no time like the present to start making more money in an effort to better your financial situation.
- If you’re in a dead-end job or one that you hate, know that it’s temporary. Do your job to the best of your ability but focus your efforts on finding a new position. Send out resumes, network your arse, off, stalk online job boards, and pound the pavement. This is YOUR life, live it as you see fit.
- If you’re spending more than you bring in, there’s no way to sugar-coat it: you must cut back. Yesterday. Living within your means is the only guaranteed ticket to financial security.
- If you’ve typically shared your spending on your blog in a detailed manner but suddenly begin to estimate the numbers or leave updates out entirely, you’re not fooling anyone. Regular readers will know you’re hiding something and will see through your endless rationalizations. But here’s the thing: We’re not living your life, so it doesn’t matter what we think. The true issue is why you’re hiding what you’ve spent. Consider this before fudging your weekly reports–there could be something that needs to be re-evaluated.
- If you change the course of your financial decisions, don’t combine it with a slew of excuses. So you decided to make a home improvement during the holidays instead of giving to charity–it’s your money and your choice. But when you tack on 10+ excuses about why you absolutely had to have said improvement, perhaps the real reason you’re doing so is because you’re feeling guilty and fear your readers will fault you. Investigate these feelings before jumping on the excuse bandwagon because there could be an underlying situation that you need to attend to that’s driving your super-spending tendency at the time .
- If you failed at meeting a monthly or annual goal, it’s OK! Nobody is perfect and nobody meets all of their goals 100% of the time. Instead of rationalizing away the lack of progress, how about amending your goals to be specific, attainable, and realistic for your current situation? Most of the time, your readers are there to encourage you. If you’ve hit a wall, reach out to us–we’re always happy to lend a supportive ear as well as some advice.
I think there are a lot of excuses floating around out there but my biggest pet peeve right now is "I don't have time". Everyone has time – if you don't MAKE time for it, it's not a priority. I hear that a lot.
I have seen a lot of entitlement excuses… 'I have worked really hard lately, so I treated myself' or 'I decided to buy it because if I don't I might backslide'. We have become a very entitled society.
In the words of some post on Pinterest, if it's important, you'll find a way. If it's not important, you'll find an excuse.
I just listed some of the excuses I've heard and used! I do know that I'm trying extremely hard to stop giving excuses but sometimes I still slip up.
I agree with all of these! I also agree with Daisy. You, Daisy and I are all proof that there IS time out there!
"I can't" is my excuse, or "I don't know how." Gotta get over it!
Every resolution to a problem begins with the individual saying I am going to take control of this situation.
When dealing with low income, it's not always as simple as just "Go make more money." It's just not that simple. Often, ways of making proper money are just not available. I can definitely say that for myself, this is true. I have no readily available way to bring in the money I require. This is just the reality of my life. Working more hours at my job would make me 14,000 a year at best. Is that worth a nervous breakdown? Nope.
This was a mantra that I had to remind myself of for a long time. Stop making excuses! Until we've adapted this as a personal philosophy, we will cease to grow, and life will remain a bag full of misery. So, no more excuses for me. Really! I mean no more excuses. Period!
Yikes a bees. I hate making excuses and I admit I am guilty sometimes especially when I say I am too tired or I just don't feel like it. I know I can make my own food but sometimes I don't "feel like" going to the grocery store. Funny thing is…when I go I feel much better. So I should keep it up! Thanks for this!
I like your "job you hate" excuse. I have a friend who says you can do anything for a little while, but ONLY if you're actively searching for something better. I've lived by that mantra for a decade!
Agree! Well, except for the part about your regular readers knowing that you're hiding something. I'm not good enough to remember the numbers for every blogger, but the point you were making is true enough, which is, you're only fooling yourself.
Ahhh…good one! This is so true!! There is always time for the things you want to do most; even for the ones you need to do most
I couldn't agree more–I cringe when I hear that, and I try my best never to let myself make that type of justification
Love it; thanks for sharing!
Your post was great!! I think we all slip up from time to time but it's more about being accountable all of the time and owning up to the mistakes we make along the way
Exactly! We're three of the busiest ladies I know!
It takes time but you can get there/do it!! Remind yourself of why and how you can and why you should–that helps me most of the time
Exactly! You have to own your situation, no matter how bleak it may seem. Only then can you make lasting changes
I agree and disagree (but only from personal experience). When I was jobless, I worked my butt off to make ends meet however I could. Even when I was waiting tables or serving coffee to people when I already had a college degree, I knew it was only temporary and working hard would eventually open better doors.I know it seems easy for me to say this now given my current situation, but I implore you to look through the archives here. I have literally been a self-made woman. I came from nothing, financially speaking, and I've had a host of wild/crazy/unfortunate situations to overcome in my life. The key is to keep persevering. Do whatever it takes to make some extra money (within reason–sanity is key so don't go taking on more shifts at your job). You're a writer, so seek out writing positions. They won't be glamorous at first but they'll provide you experience to parlay into the good stuff later. Remember that it takes time and that you're worth it. It's an uphill battle but you'll get to the top and smile when you think about how awesome it was that you got there. I'm waxing a bit too poetic now, so I'll stop. But I hope you see what I'm trying to say.
LOVE it!! Love, love, love.
You're welcome! The key is that we all do it from time to time but it's more about staying accountable than it is trying to be perfect. It drives me nuts when people continue to rationalize/make excuses instead of just taking action. I know it's not always easy, but the more you do it the easier it gets!!!
Nice! It has served me well, too. Just keep your eyes on the prize and keep working until you're where you want to be.
Oh yes, I definitely don't remember numbers/fact/figures myself, but I do notice when someone goes from listing actual dollar amounts to just putting "$$$$." Or when they give 5 reasons why they purchased each item and they usually just say, "Here's what I spent" Only fooling yourself, indeed!!
my fave quote along these lines is, "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right."
Ahh…such a great one!!
You hit this post right on the money:)I tend to just own up and say I just didn't do it or I just wasn't feeling it,. Being honest helps. When you are honest and don't waste time with excuses, you know what needs to be done to get on track.And as Daisy and Michelle pointed out, everyone has time, it's just a matter of how you manage it.
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