Financial Reference Points Can Make A Huge Difference

Financial struggles are a part of all of our lives. However, we all do not take the same actions during these times. Thus, our outcomes are drastically shaped by our choices. When examining your own lives and how your struggles have affected you, it can be depressing. However, be sure to use other people’s experiences as financial reference points to better gauge where you are at. I am not saying compare yourself to others, but rather be open-minded to the fact that we all don’t have the same outcomes when met with adversity.

The Jobless

One of the main scenarios I hear about today are those who do not have a job. These are individuals who either have lost their jobs  or have had trouble keeping them due to unforeseen circumstances. It is how they react which sets them a part. If you are of the strong work ethic, you will stop at nothing to get some kind of a job. Thus, your joblessness will not last long. Others tend to be on the “whoa is me” mentality and put in minimal effort to change where they are at. These are similar circumstances, but your attitude changes what the outcome is going to be.

The Indebted

We have all had some form of debt at some point in our lives. However, some choose to get a little over enthusiastic with the spending. Thus, they are stuck with thousands of dollars of debt. It is at this point they can choose one of a couple of options. Some will choose to seek out blogs such as this to help walk them through what they need to do to fix the situation. They put in the hard work and make the sacrifices to get out of debt. Others again choose to put in little to no effort because it is too hard. It is easier just to not do anything and figure out ways to work around the issue without actually addressing it. Again, it is all about how you are looking at the situation.

The Undecided

A third scenario is the undecided. Especially when starting out as an adult we have some hard decisions to make. Decisions such as college, job, voting, family, where to live, etc. Even though most of us do not know exactly what we are going to do, most of us at least make the best decision we can. Others choose to opt out entirely. It is easier to just sit on the sidelines and ignore the requirements of making a decision as an adult. Thus, we hear of those who live with their parents or best friends and essentially “mooch” off of them for everything. This can be groceries, living arrangements, money, going out, etc. This is not about living for them, it about simply getting by to the next day. It is too tough to make a decision to progress with their lives, and often too scary to make that move.

Ultimately, it will always come down to a choice. That is all there has ever been and will be. If you choose to be a functioning member of society, great! If not, well then there is not much you are going to get from reading through this blog. It is my hope though, that reading through this stuff will encourage you to make the change to make something of yourself.