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MrsFrugalSamurai and I attended a stunning wedding put on by one of her oldest and dearest friends over the weekend.
Massive congrats BENSICCA!!!
It was our first Corona-wedding and to be honest with you, I didn’t know what to expect.
What to expect? Why nothing but FUN of course!
There’s something about weddings which makes everyone happy… I think it’s to do with the live music.
Regardless, weddings are also a great time to catch up with people who you haven’t seen in agggges, and this one was no different.
As I caught up with a once-close-but-now-distant friend, we waded into a discussion about finances, more specifically – what’s required to be financially successful.
He was of the opinion it really came down to luck, and of circumstances outside your control – your family situation, upbringing, environment and life choices determined your status in life.
I opined that, whilst those were no doubt inherent, there are many more “active” avenues, which are larger determinants for financial success.
Y’know, things such as:
Personal Development
By investing in ourselves each day through self-education such as reading, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, attending seminars and webinars on matters of interest, allows us to develop our mindset and knowledge base to shape us for success.
Relationships
Through developing and nurturing relationships with other success-orientated and like-minded people via networking and participating in mastermind groups, or even keeping in regular contact through Hello Calls, Birthday Calls & Life Event Calls.
Editor’s Note: Personally I need to be better at this.
Positivity
Having a bright and positive outlook on life enhances our performance, decision-making and provides the focus required to achieving our goals or purpose. It also allows us to dream-set, and to pursue our dreams and goals that allows us to 3x, 5x, 10x and more our income and wealth.
Planning
To be financially successful, we need to determine a financial blueprint for our future self. This would provide the vision and clarity of the end destination.
Editor’s Note: Work out where you want to be and work backwards. E.g. “I want to retire on a yacht”. Well, how much does a yacht cost? $1m? $2m? $5m? Find out and go from there.
Habits
By being regular and consistent with exercise and healthy eating, being present during family events and following the blueprint we set ourselves, allows us to get into the right routine and frame of mind.
Virtuosos
To truly be financially successful, you need to fine-tune and develop a specific set of skills as a specialist.
Diversification might work in investing, but in life – the generalists rarely get paid well.
MrsFrugalSamurai recently locked us out of our new place. We called in a locksmith and it took them the whole of 30 seconds for a $100 bill. That’s what being a specialist is all about.
Modest Lifestyles
And of course, no amount of wealth accumulation can be accumulated if you spend a dollar more than you earn. It’s vitally important to spend less than you earn and invest the rest.
Editor’s Note: A good rule of thumb is to live off 80% or less of your net income, thereby allowing you to accumulate savings for investment.
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Of course, I didn’t lay it out to my friend in so much detail.
I think the conversation went something like this:
“… so yeah, that’s why I think it’s all about luck and upbringing man”.
“Yeah, I get ya, but I think there’s so much more”.
“You’re probably right, WOW check out (insert name of pretty lady)”.
Come on guys! It is a wedding after all, what’d you expect?!
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