{"id":1011,"date":"2013-09-17T13:56:53","date_gmt":"2013-09-17T13:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vhfinancialmanagement.com\/?p=1011"},"modified":"2013-09-17T13:56:53","modified_gmt":"2013-09-17T13:56:53","slug":"a-change-for-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vhfinancialmanagement.com\/2013\/09\/17\/a-change-for-the-future","title":{"rendered":"A Change for the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We have all faced times in our lives when we realize we aren\u2019t doing what we should be doing. Financially speaking, this sentiment drives people into my office. Most often people realize they aren\u2019t doing as well as they should or they simply don\u2019t know what they should do.<\/p>\n

Outside of my office, I know there are plenty of folks who simply hope for a change.\u00a0 They hope that a change in circumstances will magically come along and whisk away their financial concerns. I guess a piece of all of us can say that, but the difference between a dream and reality are two entirely different scenarios.<\/p>\n

If we want our financial world to be better, we need change. Sure, winning the lottery would create change, but it\u2019s not very likely. So, if you want change, you will have to go out and create it.<\/p>\n

Growing up in a small town in Texas, I have seen many folks simply settle\u2026.settle for what they have and give up on becoming the best they can be (financially speaking that is).\u00a0 The ultimate goal shouldn\u2019t be about monetary wealth, it should be about our total wealth, which includes our overall happiness and wellbeing. \u00a0So, again money isn\u2019t always the answer, but sometimes a better financial strategy can help us reach overall life goals.<\/p>\n

A balancing act<\/p>\n

I speak often with clients about the importance of balance.\u00a0 Maybe I could work another 20 hours a week and bring in more money, but what good would the money mean if I don\u2019t have time to enjoy it. \u00a0If I can\u2019t spend time with my family, I wouldn\u2019t be happy.\u00a0 It\u2019s all about balance.<\/p>\n

Along with striking a balance comes the idea of change.\u00a0 If we continue to do what we\u2019ve always done, we\u2019ll get what we\u2019ve always gotten.\u00a0 So, if you have bad financial habits or can\u2019t seem to get ahead financially, maybe it\u2019s time for a change.<\/p>\n

For years, I have told my children that \u201cthe road to failure is the one of least resistance.\u201d\u00a0 They have heard this plenty of times to remind them that we must initiate change.\u00a0 For those who chose not to proactively implement financial change, they should not expect a different outcome from past experiences.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard<\/p>\n

Making a change is hard. Experts say it takes between 3 weeks to 3 months to create a new habit, so it won\u2019t be easy\u2026..but it will be worth it.\u00a0 Since most financial \u201cissues\u201d are wrapped in a psychological shell, unwrapping the problem could be traumatic. \u00a0If you want your financial picture to improve, you must take on the challenge and make a change.<\/p>\n

Where to start<\/p>\n

The problem of where to start is very common. Working with a fee-only financial advisor who is an unbiased third party is certainly a good starting point.\u00a0 An unbiased third party can see the picture without\u00a0 any of the emotion wrapped around the financial issues. Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and make a change\u2026.a financial change\u2026.a change for the better.<\/p>\n

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