A dream written down with a date becomes a goal.
A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan.
A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.
–Greg S. Reid
Do you have a big dream for your life?
Most likely it involves some money (or lots of it!) to make it happen.
For some of you, it may be something basic or simple that doesn’t seem attainable at this moment in your life. For others, it may be something huge that seems completely unreachable.
If you have never really thought about your dreams, check out this post on dreaming about your money first.
If you have reminisced about some future dreams and have a particular one in mind, I want to challenge you to make that dream a goal.
What if that could actually become a reality?
What if money no longer stood in your way?
When my oldest son was 4 years old, we decided it was time to start teaching him the basics about money.
He had been begging for a certain transformer toy that was $20, so we set up a chart that showed him the tasks he could do to earn money. He also had some birthday cash in his piggy bank, so he started with a few dollars, which helped him get to the goal much faster!
He got to work earning a set number of quarters for each task, and after a couple weeks, he had his $20 to go buy his transformer. We went to Walmart with his Batman wallet, went straight for the toy section, and picked out the one he had been eyeing.
I helped him count out the cash at the register. She gave him a few cents change. He was so proud!
He had set his goal, worked toward obtaining it, and achieved his dream toy and nothing could have made him happier!
Now it’s your turn.
Make Your Dream a Reality
Think about it. What is stopping you from making your dream a reality? Is it debt? Is it monthly expenses that take your paycheck as soon as you get it? Is it too little income? Is it just simply not paying attention to how much money you have coming in or going out?
Whatever it is, most likely it is something that you can work toward changing!
I believe in you! Your past history does not matter.
God has BIG plans for His children. We just have to be willing to be the stewards He has called us to be!
He gives us the power! As His child, YOU have the power!
It is THIS moment, right where you are, right now, that can be the turning point for you and for your family.
Starting right now, what is ONE thing you could do to change your financial situation for the better?
What is ONE thing you could do to move you toward your dream?
Any ideas jump out at you? Don’t worry if it is a very small step. Small steps turn into leaps and bounds with time!
Break down your dream a little at first. Picture your big dream at the the end of a winding path of small stepping stones. Create a smaller goal that would be the first stepping stone.
Track Your Expenses
The very first “stepping stone” should be tracking your expenses. You need to know every penny you spend, where, and on what. It doesn’t matter if you decide to use paper and pencil or an electronic tracker. Either way, it needs to be a running list that you keep up with in real-time as you spend.
Write everything you down (or log it in an app.) Don’t let yourself drive out of the parking lot after you’ve bought something. Don’t walk away from the computer after an online purchase. Stop! Write it down or log that expense in one location.
Your money will begin to be more real to you as you track your expenses. It will allow you to see where it is actually going.
You can then evaluate if where it is going is where your dreams are!
I’m here for you. I will be with you every step of the way, and I am determined to see you succeed! If you are already tracking your expenses, and can’t decide the next step to take, start with the step-by-step plan for financial success.
Are you ready to take the first step to making your financial dreams become a reality?
YOU have the ability to begin to make lasting change in your finances. In the future, you WILL be able to afford to do the things most important to you even if you currently have doubts.
It all starts with tracking your expenses, allowing you to know exactly where your money is going with every transaction. As you begin this, let me know what you find–especially if you have any surprises!
I can’t wait to hear about your dream and the steps you are taking to move you toward it!
Keep me updated, and continue to steward intentionally.
Heather
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