Universal Notebook

Before giving up my job I was researching and remembering ways to simplify my life. Two new influences being Leo Babauta of www.zenhabits.net and Scott Dinsmore of www.liveyourlegend.net both of whom help focus my personal needs and values. 

So, here I am ready to simplify and focus my life on creating something important while doing something I value. Then I receive a text from my bank showing me my final salary payment, a fear set in. Oh no maybe i have to start looking at my own budgeting skills and needs. Being well paid with low outgoings this something that is easy to slip when life gets “to comfortable”.  

When the fear subsided I decided to look at the pro’s and cons of having a low income. In my early twenties I had the privilege of being fed,housed by the government through state benefits, so I decided to re-visit how I dealt with hard ship and explore how two chapters in my adult life can create a positive life movement in going forward.

Income Reduction, Negative to Positive.

Negative- cant buy what I want when I want.

Positive- Large salaries often come with lots of responsibility and time pressure that can justify overspending to create the illusion of happiness. Over the past 3 months I have donated over £2000 of purchases to charity. I now own what I need and endevour to question my “wants” on a daily basis.

Negative- Living in a city is more expensive and financially demanding

Positive- This is a untruth and only something that is self created. Living in City provides more scope for false comparison and thoughts in having to keep up with everyone. If we look city living gives us unlimited opportunity on our doorstep much of which can be very low cost or even free. Its just a matter of awareness of what you want, and not that of the crowd. 

Negative- My pastimes cost money. 

Positive- Do they need to? If you have been doing something for a while chances are that you have all the kit required and only membership fees are the main expense.If you are proficient at your pastime learning to teach it and help other instructors take session may help reduce personal outgoing. If are a member of a gym look at what exercises you do and consider the possibility of doing them at home or outside. The concept of going to the gym is something created by marketers getting us to spend money on our fitness. 

Negative- My Budget need monitoring

Positive- Previously Working in the debt advice sector this subject often was key in the process of helping people realise their financial strengths and weaknesses. Monitoring a budgets and simplifying commitments is key in creating future financial security. Doing this now will provide more disposable income when ventures are successful. 

Being aware of these simple facts can allow time ( which is more important than money) to be use in a valued and creative manner for our own internal and external successes. 

Taking less positive experiences from our past while applying awareness and fresh knowledge it is possible to face life in a responsive and controlled manner that ultimately provides a stable platform for dreams to become reality.

“The mountains we have climbed, prepare us for the journey ahead”