As we were getting ready to leave on a vacation to Hawaii a few years ago, many times I heard those words.  “You are so Lucky, we can’t afford to do that”.   The truth is I am lucky, but not in the sense that most people mean it.   My definition of luck is: “Priorities and Planning Meet Preparedness”.    We decided about two years ago we wanted to take a trip to Hawaii since neither of us had been there before.     So, the Planning begins!    Saving money.   Watching for deals on airfare and accommodations.

 

Now think about this process. You decide to do something. In your mind you see yourself there and creative process begins automatically.   If you never decide to go, nothing will ever happen. The first step is the choice to do it.

 

Next step is: how much mohlah are you going to need to make this happen.   This is the Preparedness.   Money is also called currency.    Like a current in a stream.   It implies flow and movement.   In order for money to do something for you, it must move and go somewhere or to someone in exchange for what you desire.   Currency does you no good in your pocket.    But to take a trip you need to accumulate some deniro to exchange for that trip.   You do not want to do this on a credit card.   Save up front, so it is all paid for.

 

Let’s say you need $5000.00.   For most of us, we look at that and feel overwhelmed.   We often think, “I just do not have that kind of money.   You are lucky to be able to afford that, but I cannot afford it”.     So, look at your budget.  Ask yourself, “How can I afford this?”  Where could you squeeze out a little money each month to begin accumulating some jing for that trip?

 

Here are a few places in our daily lives where we could make some changes.   Some people smoke.  At, let’s say, $6.00 per pack, which is $180.00 per month or over $2000 per year.  If you go out for dinner to Applebee’s or to the movies once a week for $30, that is $1500 per year.   I used to party once month or more and spend easily $50, so that is $600.   Most people spend $50 to 150 per month on cable TV.   At the average rate, we have another $1200.   How many of us buy doodads all time, junk that we do not need?    Many of us spend $2-5 per day for coffee and snacks.   Another $1000 per year.    Pack a lunch instead of eating out.   Once you look there are lots of possibilities.

 

So, we have the three Ps: Priority, Planning and Preparedness.    Once, we decide to go on this trip, to recharge our solar batteries, and see the world, we must make some priority decisions to budget the flow of some that currency into the trip fund.   It might take two or three years to build up your “fun” fund, but it will be well worth it.   When you begin thinking like this, things happen.   We found a great deal on a cruise that was half the usual price.   That happened because we were prepared, not because we were lucky.

 

Changing your thinking like this is great for your health.   You eliminate a bunch of really bad, unhealthy habits and convert them into life-changing, mind-expanding experiences.   A week of sun fixes the winter blues and greatly helps seasonal depression.

 

Put Your Health in Your Own Hands