Have you ever heard the acronym for ‘J-O-B’ which stands for “Just Over Broke.” Food for Thoughts eh!
Funny how at the beginning of each year, we all get our financial planning caps on – making that claim to be financially free by end of the year. The question is: how many of us actually get to achieve that goal?
Earlier in the month, I was sent a FaceBook video clip titled ‘Stop Going Broke Trying to Impress People’ by MJ Harris (an internationally recognized financial services CEO and motivational success teacher), which was to enable me on this financial journey (part of my yearly Manifesto) that I am on. I have to honestly say that watching the video clip spoke the truth on all sorts of level but the most important truth received was: Being Real to Myself!
My interpretation from watching the video (see below) was a summary of the ideology of money and its definition or purposed definition: ‘Poor is eternal, Broke is temporary’. Questions starting flowing through my mind querying whether we ever do get ‘broke’ or ‘poor’? Does such a word like ‘poor’ or ‘broke’ actually manifest itself in one’s life? Below are a few answers I sourced online:
- Poor is a state of mind, broke is a state of wallet.
- Poor is when you don’t know how to manage money, broke is when you go bankrupt because you can’t pay medical bills.
- Poor people are always broke, broke people are broke for a while.
So my question is: are you tired of being poor or broke? There was a time I used to call those words like it was part of my daily vocabulary because I never had the financial education need to curb my lifestyle and needs (or should I say wants).
I can honestly say that I have never been poor but it has not been long since I have been ‘BROKE’ (actually as of last week, I was – hmmmm), and I can still remember exactly what it felt like. I can picture all the ugly details of the way I used to struggle; the empty bank account, the awkward moments, the feelings of despair and embarrassed to approach my family for help or even friends and keep up appearances so not to be ostracised. Well, truth be told again – I have not totally learned my lessons but step-by-step, I am getting there.
I recall Iyanla Vanzant during an affirmation session years ago encouraging us to substitute the word ‘broke’ to being ‘temporary out of money‘. That changed my mindset in ways I cannot even describe. Broke is how much you keep and not how much you make? I made up my mind that for the rest of my life, I have to continue to increase wealth and leave a legacy so my mindset is being tuned to challenging myself financially like cutting off unnecessary expenses (for starters). Being temporary out of money has given me an entirely different perspective on cash flow, debt, and my own financial well-being. I have learned that there is a big difference between looking like ‘you have money’ and ‘actually having money’.
When I was younger, I took the concept of lifestyle inflation to a whole new level. Shopping was my ‘middle name’. I just knew I had to have the best things in life (no matter the cost) but as I became a mother, I had to learn about living within my means and the real-life consequences of unplanned purchases (well another truth be told – this is still a constant challenge). And most importantly, I have become willing to do anything and everything to make sure that I will never be broke AGAIN. And YES, I must confess that I have failed on numerous occasions since becoming an adult but some of the lessons from that part of my life have stuck with me.
My target to be completely out of DEBT is by April 2018 and quite frankly, once I am out of debt, I have made a pledge never to put myself in that situation again. I made myself a promise to rise above my situation and start with a clean slate. And I am doing just that.
Have you ever been flat broke? If so, what did you learn from it?
Share your thoughts about in the comments below.
Do like, comment and follow my BLOG for more jaw-dropping posts coming your way.
Yours in love – The Renaissance Lady ©
As a Mompreneur & Lifestyle Blogger, I am constantly on the goal of being ready for the NEW re-birthing and renewing of Oneself as I believe we all have a purpose to fulfil on this earth and part of my mission is for us all to live a Purpose-Driven Life.
