A friend recently loaned me "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey (I'll post some details of the book for another day) and Dave share a history book I have heard many times before … I will use a version I heard is only slightly different version of Dave.
The way I've heard people use this method to catch monkeys in the jungle. The kidnappers had cut a small hole in one end of a shell of coconut, just big enough for the monkeys based their open hands in, and then put the nuts a favorite treat of money in the shell of coconuts. The captors would tie a rope to one end of coconut and maintain or anchor and wait for the monkeys to come. The monkeys would hand in the hole and take the nuts, but the hole was so small that, while their open hand would fall in the coconut, the fist would not fit back through the hole. The monkeys, in their desire to nuts, has refused to open their fists, and the kidnappers could easily go up and catch them.
Now, first of all, you and I think, "Gee, it sure is ridiculous these monkeys be so eager for the nuts they allow themselves to be captured when all they have to do is drop the nuts and they can not escape. "Simple enough, right?
Next question … Do you have a "handful of nuts in your financial life? Something you cling so hard, and you will not release anything that could cost you your financial freedom? How something like keeping with the neighbors? How willing to drive too much for your finances? Why not a little too much fun, or too hard? How house too much or spending too much credit card? How about too much time on television that could be used productively in your business part-time work, overtime, or get a second job for a short period of time to push your finances to a new level? What would you ladies like gambling or smoking? How about ideas on how to manage your finances, that despite the fact they have not worked for you in the last ten years you continue to hang on, instead of learning new ways and more (you've heard the saying: "If you always do what you have always done, you'll always get what you always had ')?
Actually, not nearly all of us have one or more examples of "A handful of nuts in our lives? I know some that I was able to get rid of a largely (like television), some who have burned badly (like thinking I could outsmart the market place using stock options), and I know I have some yet (like big fancy truck, I decided that I deserved, and the beautiful house and pool, I decided my family deserved). Now, some of my things, like the house and the truck, I decided were earned through hard work and real estate investment success that I experienced during the ten years prior to these purchases, and it may be quite true, and it may be only partially true – I can not say with certainty until the end of the story, but I know for sure … If the monkeys were prepared to let go nuts, they could have escaped. And I know for sure … over there are many things that the average U.S. clings firmly that they were ready to let go one for a short period of time initially, it would allow them freedom of the rat race and financial bondage for the rest of their lives.
How does it feel to make millions and millions of Americans drive, fantasy news, live beyond their means using credit cards, and spend their life with financial difficulties, living paycheck to paycheck, if the alternative is to drive cheaply for five or ten years, at first, keep expenses under control, make any additional funds for investment wise (or, if they adhere to Dave Ramsey, the debt reduction), then after five or ten years, they could have financial resources comfortable and be able to drive what they want and spend what they want for the rest of their life?
One way or another, every day with every dollar we all vote for what happens in our lives. We decided a few nuts, followed by a lifetime of financial captivity, or we decide to make some sacrifices so that we can enjoy a future of financial freedom. Best wishes to the ballot box!
Chris Lund is a loving husband and father of two amazing boys. He is a lifetime learner, and an avid real estate investor since 1998. In December 2008, he achieved financial freedom, and quit working at a JOB. He writes “The Lund Letters”, a blog found at http://thelundletters.blogspot.com/ where he shares many of his successes as well as lessons learned. Chris firmly believes that you can have your excuses, or you can have your dreams, but you can’t have both. He can be reached via e-mail at reinvestorsfl@aol.com
THE BLACK HOLE
