Action is Better than Perfection

in Life and Travel

go giants!!!go giants!!!

Photo Credit:  Sister72

Last night’s Super Bowl was a nail biter for us. I thought it was a wonderful game, better than some recent Super Bowls. The game reminded me a bit about personal finance. (First it was fries and now it’s foot ball. I know, I have issues.)Don’t wait until you know everything about finances to start. Learn a little and then start working on improving it. Here’s the essence of personal finance problems that many people encounter.

  • If you’re in debt, find out how bad it is. Are you $500 in debt or $5000? The amount determines your basic game plan. Try to come up idea to raise money to eliminate debt.
  • If you’re low on savings, start an emergency fund.  Set aside $500 aside for when bad things happen, because they do.
  • If you don’t your retirement fund started, then get started today. Put something away consistently every paycheck. Even if it’s $50/month at first, sock some money away for your future.
  • If you want to maximize your finances, read as much as you can about your options. If you still want more help, contact a fee-based personal finance advisor.

Personal finance can be as complicated as you want or it can be as easy as automating your savings, bill pay, and retirement. I’m not an expert, but if I waited until I knew everything, then I’ll hurt myself even more.

I’m not advocating throwing your money away at a get rich quick scheme. Stick with the basics like, spend less then you earn. It’ll put you in a better financial position than many of your classmates, co-workers, and neighbors. Perfection is the enemy of good.

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{ 4 comments }

1 RacerX February 4, 2008 at 3:04 pm

It is the power of compounding! Starting anything today is better then placing more effort tomorrow!

2 fathersez February 4, 2008 at 3:07 pm

Nice motivating title. I like posts that offer motivation in their title.

What you say is so true, if we were to wait till everything was lined up, we
would be waiting till the proverbial cows come home.

Regards

3 Mrs. Micah February 4, 2008 at 4:07 pm

I love the title!!! It’s so discouraging when things aren’t perfect. But if you can say “Well at least I’m doing something about it,” that helps a lot (in my experience). The key is reframing your expectations so you value action as much as perfection.

4 Green Panda February 4, 2008 at 5:56 pm

Thanks, I’ve heard so many people procrastinate about their finances. Get something done. If you’re conservative, then you may lose out on some money. You’re 100% hurting yourself by putting things off.

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