Take Command Of Your Finances
There is a war taking place right now. The objective is your life and freedom. Lead your army to victory or surrender and suffer your fate.
Every one of us is the general of a revolutionary army, a guerilla force that is fighting for independence. This army does not fight with guns and bullets, but with savings and investments. It does not fight conventionally, but with hit and run tactics. Every soldier in your army is a dollar (or whatever currency you use).
Those that do not see or think the same way will call you crazy and say it can’t be done. You can’t win independence against such an all-powerful force that is the world. So stop fighting. Go ahead and treat yourself, buy everything you even want maybe just a little bit. Charge it on your credit cards and pay it off never!
They say they are going to work until they are dead! Retirement is a myth, nobody can save money – so why fight it?
But you know that not only can you retire successfully, you can retire in your 30’s if you intelligently use your army to win your war for independence.
AN INDEPENDENT PERSONALITY
Maybe they are right, maybe winning the war is only for those that think differently.
Ever since I was a little kid I was fiercely independent and wanted to make my own decisions. If there is a job to do in my life I want to do it myself. I will research how to accomplish it, whether it is changing the alternator in my car, fixing the A/C for my house, or just about anything else in my life. Rarely do I call in outside help, or mercenaries, to do the work for me.
I want to be free from my job. Whenever I am there I am not doing what I want to be doing. I am not free yet, so I perform what needs to be done. Dutifully I follow the orders from my boss and churn out the products I am required to. But the top-down structure just drains me of my creativity, energy, and ideas. So I don’t do anything I am not required to do.
To win your independence you need to be an independent person. You need to be anti-establishment. To win independence early in life you need to be counter-culture and it appears the most successful at it have an I and a J in your briggs-meyers personality type, as introverted and judging personalities are experts at being consistent and controlling their impulses. But I believe that anyone can do it, you just have to want it. Don't be discouraged.
YOU NEED TO DEFINE YOUR NEEDS
As the general in your war for independence you don’t want to waste the lives of your soldiers on spur of the moment actions that you will later regret. Every time you purchase something you are sending them off to their deaths. This is fine if it progresses towards your ultimate victory, but it is a careless waste of lives if not.
Propaganda (commercialism) is rampant in this war. A favorite tactic of the enemy is known to try and trick you into committing your soldiers by not highlighting the total price, but by the monthly payment. They want you to commit your army into this war of attrition (interest rates). They want to bog you down as they slowly pick off your men and let the others die to diseases (depreciating assets).
If it isn’t monthly payments, then they are trying to have you send men off to die for objectives (stuff) that you don’t need. The propaganda never ends, it is everywhere you look in the world. YOUR independence doesn’t require it - fancy gourmet food or dinners/lunches out, new cars, new clothes, gadgets, cable tv, the latest phone on expensive plans, etc. ALL of it is unnecessary. ALL of it is sending your soldiers to their deaths, lessening your chances of victory. Do you want stuff or do you want freedom?
As the general you need to realize what your real needs are and obtain them as efficiently as possible.
STRATEGIC AND DECISIVE PATH TO VICTORY
As the general you are the one to create the objective and the plan to conquer it. My army is fighting for a homestead out in the country. Your objective can be whatever your dream is. The key is to figure out what you really want in life and make a plan. Your goal is to fight to make everything in your life as wonderful as the dreams that dance in your imagination.
Every time you don’t throw your soldiers away for something that you don't need, you are advancing towards victory. Every time you perfect your plan just a little bit more, you are advancing towards victory. Small victories will add up, and eventually you will fight the last one and become the leader of a free republic. A free state of you.
This war is dirty, and you are bound to lose a few battles, DO NOT become discouraged and surrender! Retreat and regroup, save as many of your soldiers as you can. They will live to train another generation. The ones you save will be back at the barracks (investment) training and recruiting new soldiers. General, you need to grow your army, and it is rare that you can do it alone sir. Your army is there to help! By investing properly, your soldiers will multiply. Eventually they will grow faster than you can add to them. If you continue to be victorious in your war for independence, there will be a day that you no longer have to fight.
Your army can sustain you forever. You will be free.
IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH
I don’t claim to have a one-size fits all solution. Some of you who read this will think that it is impossible. I’ve always believed that people should just do what they want to do as long as it hurts no one else. So if you never want to retire, it doesn’t bother me. If you want to buy everything you see, it doesn’t bother me. Do what you want to do. This is what I have decided upon. But if I have sparked your interest, don’t let the fear of the whole process stop you – if it is your dream then act upon it. Small steps will take you far from where you are now if you just keep moving.
You can win your revolution.
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@getonthetrain
Your analogy of using the premise of war to illustrate your points on our finances is nothing short of genius.
Absolute gem of a post, my brother!
Congratulations to the winner of the steemfest award! Never give up @ezzy, right? :D
Thanks a lot, man. Was very unexpected but I'm seriously humbled by it.
Thanks for the crazy amount of support from you. You're a star, buddy.
Great analogy, I really enjoyed it.
Thanks @gavvet, I've noticed our articles have been about a similar subject lately too - anthropology. :D
If I was to further this analogy:
There is a propaganda message that we are at peace, that all is well, and that you should give up all your soldiers and your fighting ways. We will all live in peace and harmony... in the prison camps of our enemies.
Good one! :D