Money Trouble - Ten Reasons

Different people have money trouble for different reasons of course, but there are some mistakes and bad financial habits that are common. They explain why some people have problems with money over and over again. Why not see if any of the following apply to your own life. Here are ten common reasons for financial problems.

1. Refusing to think about money seriously.

What if you refused to pay attention or think about where you were going when driving. You might get lost and have accidents more often, right? Well the same is true of money naturally, but nonetheless many people just don't like to pay attention to it or think about financial matters. It may be that something from their past has caused them to think it isn't right to think about it, but the results are continual trouble, so give it some thought right now and regularly.

2. Valuing appearances over understanding reality.

Want to look wealthier? Go get a loan and buy that new car. But if you want to actually be wealthier, that's the worse choice you can make. It may surprise you to know that 40% of millionaires buy used cars, but this certainly isn't just a lesson about buying automobiles. Building wealth and using your money wisely is the deeper lesson. In fact, you might not guess who around you is a millionaire, since many do not go for appearances. Quit trying to create the illusion and start working on the reality of creating wealth.

3. Blaming.

Often a person is partly right about whose fault it is that they are broke or facing financial problems. Unfortunately for them though, blaming outside forces it is the absolute worst approach to overcoming their troubles. To blame is to give away power to others and to outside factors. Look at what your role in the problem is and what you can do to correct or improve things.

4. Thinking you get more with debt.

Yes, you can have more things right now by putting them on your credit cards or taking out a home equity loan. But this makes everything more expensive, and if you pay more for everything you buy, doesn't it make sense that over the course of you life you can't buy as many things? Not only do you get better prices for cash, but you also save the interest charges. Use debt for homes, business and investments, and pay cash for everything else you buy.

5. Ignoring regular expenditures.

Some expenses can be easily stopped at any time, like going out to eat or buying magazines, but what about your more or less fixed expenses, like rent, electricity, gasoline for the car, insurance and such. When these expenses are too high you are in trouble every time your income dips or is interrupted, or something expensive comes along. Why not consider renting a smaller place if necessary, getting a high-miles-per-gallon used car, and trying to keep all the fixed costs in your life to half of your income or less.

6. Ignoring where the rest goes.

Many people have money trouble because they have no idea where the money is going. A friend had pizza delivered three times per week for about $20 each time. Did he know he was spending over $3,000 per year on that one habit? Not likely. The solution? Pen and paper. Record everything you spend and what you spent it on for a month or two.

7. Ignoring the real cost of things.

When people decide they want something, they sometimes play games with their own judgment. "It only costs..." they say, referring to the initial price, but ignoring all the ongoing expenses. Buy a boat, for example, and you have not just the payments, but the cost to operate it, insurance, annual license and registration costs, repairs and maintenance, and more. Some people are paying $200 for each use of their small boats without ever knowing the truth. The solution? Star doing the math honestly.

8. Pretending things are more unpredictable than they are.

If car repairs or other surprises that cost less than a thousand dollars are the source of your money trouble, you need to start thinking in new ways. It may be true that you don't know when the washing machine will die or when your insurance rates will rise, but you do know that these "surprises" will happen at some time. That means you can plan for them by setting aside money every week for such "unpredictable" expenses. Put it in a separate account so it will be there when it's needed.

9. Being too generous with friends and family.

Many people get into money trouble because of their generosity with friends and family. Whenever they have a bit of money saved a friend or family member has a need for it, so they help. At least they think they're being helpful, but then money rarely changes people's situation if they don't know how to use it wisely. Also, when you never quite get your own financial situation right you are less able to help others when you truly can. Get your own house in order first, and then give wisely when you do give to others.

10. Expecting To Get Rich Quick

I've known people who spend thousands on seminars that promise to help them get rich quick, and then find themselves as poor as ever. It isn't that it is impossible to get rich quick, but it isn't likely, and the fantasy often gets in the way of getting rich at all, because it helps us avoid doing what needs to be done for long-term financial success. Look for ways to make more money, but be prepared to do what it takes and work as long as it takes. Schemes that promise an easy solution to your money trouble usually ignore the root of the problem, which is in your mind.

Other Relevant Pages:

What Does Financial Freedom Mean? - Not what most people think.

A Look at Money and Happiness - The research and the connection.

No Money? - Or is that just another excuse?

Ask and Ye Shall Receive - A great example.

Do What You Love? - Always, even if the money doesn't follow.

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