Let me use a little analogy: one of my favorite movies is The Matrix. It speaks of a world where there are two realities: one is the life we live every day, and the other is hidden behind this first layer. The first world is a dream; the second is The Matrix.
That has always fascinated me: have you ever had a dream that you were absolutely certain was real?
The instructor, Morpheus (played by Laurence Fishburne), tries to teach the main character, Neo (played by Keanu Reeves), to fight according to special rules. To get Neo to learn, Morpheus shouts, “Come on, stop trying to hit me and hit me!”
That statement reflects exactly what people need to do to start saving – and it’s the only trick that matters: stop trying to save and to rescue!
What do I mean by that?
Think talking about saving money is a waste of time. To be successful, you actually have to do that do it. Serious! Once you read this!
Go online or to your local bank and install a CD.
Invest in one investment fund.
Go to your bank and open a separate savings account. Then go game it and download one save app.
Stop procrastinating and do it now! Then be consistent.
Don’t just do it for a few weeks. Force yourself to save with an automatic salary transfer of at least 10% on the first day of every month.
Serious. Stop thinking about saving and just go for it!
That’s it.
Now you save money. Congratulations!
And what happens next?
In The MatrixAfter Morpheus begs Neo to stop messing around, Neo begins to perceive the reality of the Matrix and realizes that it is not so much technology as human will. That is the source. That is the true power; the real trick.
It is the human will that turns your ideas into reality.
In the real world, if you set aside 10% of your income to save, your mind will immediately start looking for ways to live with less money on day one. This means that the first month will probably be a bit, um… confused.
However, by the end of the second month, you have gotten used to living on 10% less income and have found a way to reduce your expenses accordingly. Best of all, you’ve already been saving for two months.
And if you can’t reduce your expenses? The truth is that 95% of people who make this claim are simply making excuses for not being willing to change their lifestyle. But if you’re among the other 5% who really can’t put money aside for savings right now, keep your head down and keep grinding. Eventually you reach a point where you can finally save a little for the future. I know because I was there once.
For the rest of you, let’s get started. Here’s an article that highlights some timely, practical tips on how to save money – but until you change your mindset, none of that matters.
What are you waiting for?
Photo credit: JD Hancock
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