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I was thinking about what to write today and it just struck me; why do I invest? So I started making a list of all the reasons why some extra money would be beneficial in the future, and realized that had I had this list earlier, I definitely would have been more diligent in saving and would be in a better position to realize some of my financial aspirations. My suggestion: make a list. For me personally, there are many reasons I could list, but to name only a few:
-for retirement
-to do things I enjoy like travel, purchase art, etc.
-for my kids, when I have them, education
-capital appreciation, just to make my money grow so I have more purchasing power
-to achieve financial freedom and be worry free

All of these are reasons, however, it's not the process as to how you get them that I want to touch on, it's the actual end goal I want to focus on, those items I listed. The actual need or desire that you want to be able to afford or buy is paramount. That is what you need to focus on.

What I am trying to get at is that you should create a list of things you want to do in life. Yes, a list. That's it. This may seem a little bit corny, but fail to pay attention to what you'd really like to do in life, and you may find yourself one day, full of regrets. It's like they say, 'if you don't write down your goals, you won't achieve them'. It's so true. Think of all the things that you would have changed if you could go back and start over again or live life just a little bit differently. If you don't constantly remind yourself of what you want then where are you going to draw inspiration from? Creating this list is a lot more fun than you may imagine. Just think about the relief you will have when you check off accomplishments that you reach.

So how does this relate to finance? It is very simple. One of my financial goals is to purchase a home. This is the largest financial decision that many people will make, for me especially since I live in Los Angeles and homes are ridiculously expensive here. However, this goal is reachable, but I have to be willing to work for it. If reaching this goal means saving that extra $50, $100, or $200 a month by not buying some DVDs or going shopping one less time, then I am willing to sacrifice that. And you have to be willing as well. This is why keeping the list handy and constantly looking at it is important.

So, get a piece of scrap paper and jot down a rough draft of things you want to do, places you want to go, and money you need to save. This will give you a great idea of what you need to do NOW to achieve them LATER. Once you have this list, you can then begin taking steps in the right direction and make that nest egg grow.

The moral: If you lose sight of your goals, you will forget about them and ultimately not achieve what you set out to.



"May the wind always be at your back and the sun always upon your face and the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars."