Let There Be Order In My Budget

By Shedrock Neil

"I don't have a budget problem; besides, my situation is unique," a friend of yours may declare. This book is specifically designed for you-I meant, your friend. Whether or not you have a cash-flow problem.

No unrealistic promises or tricks, just workable strategies that will help you maximize your limited resources or funds. This book is

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Nov 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798887380469

Shedrock Neil

Prior to writing this book, Shedrock Neil was forced to enroll in the school of hard knocks, where he gained valuable insight into how important it was to budget, even the little that he had. The majority of the items covered in this book are based on that personal experience coupled with readings from other authors.Shedrock has a desire to help others avoid his mistake.

Book preview

Dedication

I want to dedicate this book to the two most important women in my life:

My wife

Thank you for inspiring me and believing in me. Thank you for being patient with me on many things. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I am forever changed and blessed as a result.

My mom

Thank you for teaching me not to give up.

Preface

Hello, Is It Me You’re Looking For?

Life has a way of making us smile, and life also has a way of making us cry. Life can be both challenging and rewarding at times. Can you recall a particular time in your life when you might have felt afraid, frustrated, tired, or overwhelmed? Perhaps like me, you experienced all those emotions during a challenging time you encountered. Well, I had the opportunity of experiencing all those emotions while undertaking a home-improvement project a few years ago.

It officially started in the fall of 2019 when, months before this time, I had observed soft spots developing in the floor area of the laundry room. I could see signs of water stain and damage on the floor but decided to ignore the problem. In January 2019, my only focus at the time was on trying to get my credit card paid down. I had no intention of using my credit card again and was determined not to be distracted by this new potential bill—I mean a problem called repair.

Unfortunately, things got worse as the months went by, and one day, as I walked into the laundry room, I could clearly see and feel the floor was, indeed, sinking and would soon, eventually, collapse if nothing was done. Assessing the situation, I quickly concluded that a floor collapse would potentially cause more damage. In addition, it could also result in broken bones if it collapsed when my wife or I were on it. At this point, I reluctantly but wisely decided I could no longer ignore the problem and had to get it fixed. I could no longer postpone the repairs for another month or two: the problem needed my attention, and it needed it now.

Getting a contractor to do the repairs sounded wise but expensive, so I opted to do them myself. In the fall of 2019, I got the materials and hesitantly, as I was very nervous, began to cut into the bad floor in my attempt to replace it. This would end up being one of the most challenging efforts of my life until the following year, but I’ll save that story for another time.

Why did I convince myself I could do it on my own? I mumbled to myself after only one hour had passed since I began—things were not looking very productive. Five hours later, I felt as if I had gone too far to just stop now. I didn’t know what to do. I felt as if I lacked the knowledge, skills, and strength to complete what I had started. Have mercy on me, O Lord was my constant cry: Have mercy! Determined, however, I pressed forward little by little. Twelve hours later, the end was still nowhere in sight. Overwhelmed, tired, and frustrated, I reluctantly kept pressing forward.

Why does it have to be so hard? I wondered. Why can’t it be easy? After all, this is my first time trying. Have mercy, God, have mercy! I cried.

Highlights

Life is full of good memories and challenging circumstances. How we handle opportunities and obstacles will determine our future. It begins with me. My perspective, my attitude, my goals, my resources, and my willingness to keep moving forward are all essential to my success.

Regardless of where you are and what has transpired, especially if it has been very difficult, I am convinced that you can and will make it.

Let’s pause for a moment. Think back to a very challenging time that you have had to overcome and how you made it even though it was difficult.

On the above page, I began to detail one such challenging time in my life. If you are breathing (inhaling and exhaling), then you have had to overcome or will need to overcome something. Our challenges may be different, some more difficult than others; nevertheless, I am convinced that there is a way through them. I know this is a lot easier said than done. In this book, we will explore various detailed options to help you move from okay to good and from good to better.

More than twelve hours had passed, and the end was still not in sight.

Eventually, along the way, my attitude started to change, and I began to give thanks. I started to celebrate the little things: I got the screw in right, yes! The cutting of the board was better—only after the third attempt; That’s progress, I declared. I started to give thanks instead of complaining and lamenting, Why me, Lord? I must confess: it was still challenging and difficult, but giving thanks somehow refreshed me. There is something about giving thanks and being grateful that can bring peace in the midst of the storm. Later on, I had to come to the realization that despite my courageous efforts, I would certainly need several days to get this work fully completed.

During the second day of the project, I came to another conclusion—that I would need to stay awake as long as I could if I was going to get the floor in a somewhat decent condition and water back on. I had originally turned the water off during the start of the project due to the impact it had on other areas. Faced with numerous obstacles and setbacks, I began to wonder, Will I ever get the floor completed? Somehow, I kept on pressing, and after staying awake for more than twenty-four hours (note: please do not attempt to stay awake or work when very tired; it is extremely dangerous), I was able to make enough progress in getting the water back on and the floor secured to a certain degree. I am happy to report to you that against all odds, I was able to fully complete the project several days later. Did I mention that this was very challenging? Well, it certainly was. In addition, doing it solo (my wife was so supportive it gave me strength and motivation, and I could not have done it without her prayers, encouragement, and food), I found myself afraid, inexperienced, tired, frustrated, and overwhelmed. Nevertheless, it was possible, and it was achieved!

Highlights

Being thankful in the midst of a challenging time can refresh you and help you focus on progress more than on challenges. Commit to moving forward even if it takes longer than you expected to achieve your goal.

I mentioned above how I stayed awake for more than twenty-four hours during the home-improvement project I was undertaking. To clarify: I was not working the entire time, but I was awake for more than twenty-four hours. I also didn’t mention how I almost cut all my fingers off because I was tired and not paying attention. Imagine the setback that would have created! The few hours of progress I was trying to gain by working longer would have been completely lost.

We must always weigh the pros and cons of a situation. I will be pointing this out during different parts of this book. The key is finding the right balance for yourself. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Run your race at your pace.

Having stayed awake for more than twenty-four hours, I achieved noticeable progress two days after the start.

I am not sure of the particular challenges you have had to overcome during your life this far, but I am certain that you have had to overcome challenges of various sorts. For some individuals, budgeting is a big challenge, but regardless of how hard, difficult, or frustrating it might seem, I am confident you can make it! This book will help you if you are in the negative (financially overextended or consistently at a financial deficit) in relation to your budget. Regardless of how you got to where you are, you will get to see a step-by-step recovery plan. If you are tired, you can make it! Overwhelmed? You can make it! Lacking the know-how? No worries, this book will help. Angry, knowing that it’s because of someone else’s choices that you are in a mess? You can make it! Low-income issues? You can make it! Credit issues? You can make it!

Regardless (and I do mean regardless) of how hard it might be, if you just make up your mind that you want more and better, and most importantly, that you will not give up, then you will make it. Change that I can’t to I will!

Some of you might be thinking, I have tried budgeting before, and it didn’t work out for me; why should I even bother? I am glad you asked. Simply put, you need to know, and someone else who is watching you also needs to know that all things are possible, and they will know this truth because you will show them as you refuse to give up. Still not sure? No problem. Just continue reading this book with an open mind.

All right, you might be the person who is doing fairly okay, and all your bills are paid. This is wonderful, and please know that I am very, very, very happy for you and delighted to encourage you to continue to move forward to greater and better. This book will help you if you are current (able to pay all your bills on time) on your bills but would like to: (a) get out of debt sooner, (b) save more, (c) undertake a special project or planning to make a major purchase. At the very least, this book will deliver some solid principles to help you weather storms or setbacks.

Highlights

For some individuals, budgeting is a big challenge, but regardless