One of the things that I examine during my journey within, is my relationship with money. This is a difficult topic for me, and it has been made more difficult as I have a terrible habit. I ignore the topic most of the time.
I don’t ignore it to the point I go bankrupt. I was brought up in a frugal environment. When I have leftovers on my plate, my mum will not fail to remind me that there are people who has got no food at all, never mind a plate. I was fed that mantra for as long as I could remember. I now know that what I don’t eat here cannot help the people there. But I still try to follow this rule. I cook only as much as I can eat. I even avoid buffets now. I don’t actually remember when was the last time I went for an all-you-can-eat buffet.
I apply this same philosophy to money. I only use what I have and can afford. I pay my credit card bills in full and on time. The only debt I have is a mortgage.
So if my money spending seems to be in order, why do I still have an issue with money? Why do I still find talking about my relationship with money dificult?
When I left my day job, I wanted to explore independence, and one of the independence I wanted, was financial independence. This sounds great on paper. Quit your job. Make it big somewhere else. Own a business. Create positive cash flow. Create passive income. Lie in a hammock somewhere. Drink cold ice tea. Listen to lapping waves.
As you might have guessed, none of that happened quite as planned. I did own a business. My business required me to be there most of the time, during retail hours. I realised this was not ideal for my mind. So I let it go in exchange for some small income over the next few years. I couldn’t get an upfront cash for it, so now, I’m susceptible to a default on the new owner of the business. But I thought the time it afforded me was worth it. So I took the plunge. I became a bank.
Right now, released from the clutches of the old business, I grew a little bit wiser from it. I learnt sales. But more importantly, I learnt that money can come from anywhere, but the mind has its own potential. If the mind’s potential is not realised, my relationship with money will grow weak. The mind needs to be fed.
I like what Peter Senge says about money in his book The Fifth Discipline.
“Companies who take money as their purpose are like people who think life is about breathing. They’re missing something.”
I realised that I was missing something about money when I ventured into that business. I’m glad that I took the plunge. I can feel my relationship with money growing on a different path, hopefully on a more mature path. 
I do like what Loral said in her book Put More Cash in Your Pocket.
“If you have unlimited potential, why earn a limited income?”
So, as my first step towards a better relationship with money, this is something I would like to ask of you. If you have been blogging, and have really enjoyed it, why not make some money out of it. Find out more from Leo. You might find a way to do what you enjoy and earn from it. I assure you, this is the kind of relationship with money that you want. Click on the link below to find out more.
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