Over the past 2 years, I have written over 300,000 words about money, spent over 200 hours talking and recording, answered over 1,700 reader emails, and done over 200 media interviews about money. I get a lot of questions about my best piece of advice about money. Make smart choices about how you spend your money and always save for the future.
The answer I give to the person is usually just enough for their situation or article, but it is not very basic. I like to give a few details that add depth to my response. Most people are surface level when it comes to money. Many people don’t take the time to understand the ins and outs of money management. If they do nothing at all, they do the bare minimum. They don’t care about their responsibilities. They wonder why their life isn’t moving forward when they spend a lot of time on social media. The time they are spending on leisure activities is preventing them from reaching their goals.
Then it hit me at 6 this morning, as I’m decompressing from putting literally everything I’ve learned about money in my life into one book. I am watching the sunrise over the mountains. It’s a sight that I will never forget.
There is one thing that sticks out to me. No matter how hard things get, there is always a way to make it through. If you want to make more money, save more money, get a new job, follow your passion, escape the 9 to 5, whatever it is…
You need to find your next money level
You can’t find someone else’s next level. Take the time to think about what the next level will look like for you. Not your friend’s next level, your parent’s next level, or the media’s next level. The next level should be determined by your goals and ambitions.
The fundamentals of money and getting rich are easy:
- make more money
- save more money
- invest, repeat
Finding the next level is how fast you can make it happen. It may take some time, but with hard work and dedication you can reach your goals. It’s happening every day. By following the same routine and making an effort to stick to it, you can make progress towards achieving your goals, and doing it every day will help you get there even faster. Not monthly or yearly. The subscription is for the duration of your plan. Yes, daily. Saving at least $50 a day helped me reach financial independence at least 10 years faster.
Money is a human invention. It is used to facilitate trade and the exchange of goods and services. It is embedded with meaning and purpose. It is how we make sense of the world around us. Either you control it or it will control you. You have the power to make a decision. It is something to be mastered and used. Constantly improving your skills in this area is the key to success. It’s not something to hold you back. It’s time to take a leap of faith and move forward with confidence, knowing that you have the strength and determination to succeed no matter what obstacles may arise. It isn’t money’s fault if it’s holding you back, you need to look at the other areas of your life It is possible to identify other sources of unhappiness in your life if you take a step back and evaluate the situation from a different perspective. You need to change something. The situation needs to be assessed so you can make necessary adjustments. It’s important to find your next money level.
Money will give you control over the other areas of your life. If you have a good handle on your finances, you can make better decisions in other areas of your life. You will have more options and opportunities. You will have more potential for success if you explore more.
Automation is not enough, it’s just the beginning
Many experts tell you that the key to wealth is automation, but it’s not enough. It’s important to invest your time in developing new skills and knowledge that can help you make better decisions with your money. The status quo is automation. Staying competitive is important as automation is becoming the norm in many industries. It is how you get used to it. It is easy to forget that you have to fight against complacency. Saving 5% or 10% of your income is enough. It’s not enough. It is just the beginning. We can make this journey together and see where it leads us. You need to do everything you can to save 10%. Making small changes to your budget can help you reach your savings goal.
Being able to buy something is enough if you want to buy a new car. It can be hard to practice restraint, but it’s worth it in the long run when you realize that you have enough and don’t need to buy everything you see. It’s about spending those extra few hours on a Saturday morning is when you start working on your side hustle. It is about knowing that you need to leave your job because you are unhappy and going into your boss’s office and doing it. It can be difficult to make this kind of decision, but it can lead to a more fulfilling career path. It is easy to automate in life. Coasting won’t get you to the next level. You need to work hard and take calculated risks to reach that goal.
Pushing is how you get to financial freedom. How you get to any kind of freedom
Financial independence is built on hard work. It is achieved by making consistent decisions that align with your financial goals. Push your boundaries as often as you can. By pushing your boundaries, you will be able to achieve more. Sometimes it is about being uncomfortable. Growth and personal development can be achieved by embracing discomfort. It is about pushing and learning. We have to push ourselves to become the best version of ourselves. And then pushing more. I felt the weight of my body pushing against the wall and my feet slipping as I tried to move forward.
If you follow the advice of the expert, you will be able to retire in 30 years. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for your retirement goals and financial situation. Is it true that you are kidding me? I can’t believe it! It is cool to settle for a status quo, but it will impact other areas of your life. I can tell you that it will be hard for you to get ahead if you don’t push your boundaries and sacrifice.
If you want to be an entrepreneur (are you an entrepreneur?) then stop talking about it, throw away your “hustle harder” t-shirt, and actually get down to work. Getting started and keeping at it are two things that entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs have in common. Perseverance and hard work are the keys to success for successful entrepreneurs. If you want to start a blog or start actually making money online, or become a writer, or whatever you want to do. Don’t settle, just start doing it, keep doing it, and never stop. You have to push. You have to want it. You can make it happen if you want.
Life and money are about taking calculated risks
It is easy to play it safe. Taking risks can lead to more rewards. Don’t look over that cliff, it’s wired into our genes. It’s a survival instinct that has been passed down for generations. Fear keeps us alive. Fear can help us reach our goals. It keeps us from truly living, from growing, and from getting ahead. If we don’t take the necessary steps to overcome it, it can become a paralyzing force. We live in a world of fear. In spite of the fearful environment, we can still make a positive impact. The force that pushed humanity forward is the same force that will push you forward. We open ourselves to new possibilities by taking risks. There is a way around the fire and over the cliff.
I have learned that the more calculated risks you take, the happier you will be. The feeling of accomplishment that comes with taking the leap can be hugely rewarding. Whether it’s asking for raise, investing in the stock market, starting a side hustle, quitting your job, taking a mini-retirement, whatever it is, taking calculated risks is the smartest way to push forward in all areas of your life.
Being risky is not the same as taking calculated risks. If done wrong, risk-taking can lead to dire consequences. Don’t be dumb. Be strategic. Evaluate the alternatives, weigh your options, and make a plan. Make an informed decision when you have evaluated your options and alternatives. The pros and cons should be written down. Do a There is an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It is useful for organizations to assess their current performance and identify areas of improvement. A set of principles to help you make decisions is one of the best ways to take calculated risks. The principles should be based on your personal values and goals, as well as any external factors that might influence the outcome of the risk. You can use principles to make decisions. It is possible to ensure that your decisions are aligned with what is most important to you by following principles. If you haven’t read it yet, definitely check out Ray Dalio’s book Principles: Life and Work– it will help you see the world in a new way and help you make better decisions. It is one of the best books on making decisions. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the decision-making process.
Learn to say yes to yourself and no to almost everything else
People are trying to take both money and time in this world. It’s important to remember that you don’t have a lot of time or money, so it’s important to use both wisely. “Can I just have 5 minutes, sir?” “I have a great deal for you.” Meetings, meetings, meeting. Bills, bills, bills. Etc. etc.
If you want to get ahead with money and other areas of your life, you have to say yes to yourself and no to almost everything else. No one cares about your money or time as much as you do. Taking responsibility for your finances is important to make sure you are spending your money wisely. Give generously when you want and protect when you don’t. Use time wisely, it’s a precious commodity. If you let life happen to you, then it will eat up both your money and time. It’s important to be proactive in living your life. The world works that way. You are more likely to get carried away if you don’t push against the current. Staying focused on your goals is important in order to reach them.
If you want to get to the next level, you need to say yes to things that push you forward and not everything else. You should be aware of the choices you make and how they affect your progress. Learning to say no was one of the most important lessons I have learned. I have been able to focus my time and energy on the things that are most important to me. I am still learning how to do it.
Always seek the next level, and push through it
The next level is where you want to make more money. To reach your goal of making more money, take the necessary steps, such as researching additional skills or expanding your network. The next level is where you can save more money. Setting up an automatic savings plan will make sure you put money away for your future. Look for the next level if you want to be anentrepreneur. Take steps to make it a reality by developing a plan to reach that level. Look for the next level if you want a different life. Don’t be afraid to take risks and focus on the steps necessary to reach that level. Money can buy you more freedom. Financial security can allow you to make choices that would not have been possible before. More opportunities. More time. And remember money is not the goal, time is.
Next Level Money = Next Level Life
Here are a few next money levels
While there are many levels of money management, here are a few next steps you can take to push to the next level. Make a list of your monthly expenses and prioritize them according to necessity. They can help you save and make more money. It’s important to come up with a plan in order to save and make more money.
- Start tracking your net-worth for free using Personal Capital. Net worth is more important than income in personal finance. Net worth is the best way to measure your financial progress. Tracking it regularly will help you make better decisions. Tracking your progress will allow you to identify areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments to reach your goals.
- Increase your 401k contribution by at least 1% today, then every 30 days
- Put an extra $20 to pay down your credit card or other high-interest debt
- If you have student loans, it’s a good idea to see if you can save money by refinancing. Refinancing could save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Check out some great refinance rates.
- Most people pay a lot for car insurance. By shopping around and comparing different insurance providers, you can find the best deal for your needs and save money on your car insurance. The cheapest and best car insurance I’ve found is through Metromile.
- You can save an extra $50 in your IRA today. You can reach your financial goals faster if you put aside a small amount of money each month. If you don’t yet have a Roth IRA, open one
- Try to make an extra $20 just to invest
- Start building your case for raise using this strategy.
- Do you want to buy or rent? Definitely, check out house hacking.
- Housing is likely your biggest expenses, so do what you can to live rent free
- Read one of the best money books
- Evaluate your commuting costs and try to save money on them
- If you plan to go out for food, here’s how to save money eating out
- The next time you plan to buy anything learn how to calculate the true cost
- Fight lifestyle inflation – stop spending more money even though you’re making more
BTW – I am opening up another private coaching spot and I am looking for the right person. Please reach out to me as soon as possible if you are interested in this opportunity. If you are interested in working with me one-on-one, schedule some time and let’s go from there.
That is just the beginning. There is more to know about saving and making money. The next level is always there. Even though you have come a long way, there is always room for improvement. Keep looking for it. Keep pushing.
What is your next step? I’m ready to take it on and see what happens.
