You're Never Too Young or Too Broke

By R. Ward

Are you ready to find out what's been holding you back financially?  It doesn't matter what your age or income is, most people have the same basic issues when it comes to saving.



Like many, I've had my share of challenging times and learned some very valuable lessons related to money management.  With much encouragement from family and friends, I was compelled to create a roadmap for people like us who need to come up with creative ways to save, eliminate credit card debt, get rid of car payments, increase credit scores and accumulate retirement funds for when that time comes.



My book is about overcoming financial struggles that have held you back, sabotaged your success, and wreaked havoc with your self-esteem. It’s time to say so long to money habits that have never worked for, only against you. The struggle is real, and the journey is not an easy one, but the rewards are definitely worth every step. Let’s explore your challenges, and you’ll come to realize you are not alone. Get ready to shout your successes to the world and develop lifelong changes that will transform your future.

Similar to “microfinancing,” the focus is on helping those who appear to lack enough funds to save and even invest short- and long-term. Expect to be amazed as you accumulate money in some unlikely places to prepare you for your next evolution of positive financial growth. This can be done without getting a raise at work, inheriting money, or using credit cards.

Inside, you’ll find tools, techniques, and words of encouragement that will support you along the way.

Ready! Set! Let’s go!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645318750

Book preview

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You're Never Too Young or Too Broke

R. L. Ward

Copyright © 2020 R. L. Ward

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-64531-874-3 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64531-875-0 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Time for a Change!

Age Has Its Privileges

Become a Saving Addict

Accounts

Credit Cards

Credit Karma

Set Yearly Goals

From One to One Hundred

Getting to Enough

Getting to Enough

To my family and friends who love me without judgment.

Even when you feel like a mouse, roar like a lion. People believe what you show them.

—R. L. Ward

Introduction

Before beginning to give my thoughts, tips, and techniques related to the importance of microsaving and the pitfalls of not doing so, let me take a step back and be perfectly honest.

In my younger years, I was the absolute worst about consistently putting money aside. Even when I did, I always had some reason to use it for another purpose rather than to grow my nest egg or save for a rainy day. It was clear to me that saving was necessary for all the obvious reasons, and yet my discipline to do so was lacking. Because of my inability to look beyond what my needs might be in the next year or so, I got myself into a tight spot more than a few times. It wasn’t that I didn’t make enough money or that my expenses were far more than I could handle (at least that wasn’t the case the majority of the time). There isn’t even a way I can blame it on not being schooled properly regarding the importance of putting away money for the unexpected emergency fund. It was simply my inability to see into my future and reconcile with the fact that saving a portion of what I made was necessary.

Happily, I’m on a different and brighter path today. I’ve traded my bad habits, where money is concerned, for others that serve me better. I’m debt-free, recently paid off a six-year car loan in two and a half years and am setting a plan in motion to pay off my home before I retire. My life is beautiful, and yours can be too. Take control and never look back. Your future is not written, and you’re the author. Start a new chapter.

Now let us begin.

Chapter 1

What I’m sharing isn’t targeting retirement; although, it will be easy to make that leap to include this piece if it hasn’t already been front of mind. Chances are, if a person has not been good about putting small amounts of money away, larger chunks have not been a priority either. There are ways to play catch up, but we’ll start small with the saving piece for now. If we have to put a name to the information being shared, it would be microsaving. Crawling before walking will be the order of the day as we explore the many ways to grow your money tree.

Much of what I’ve laid out may be things you’ve already heard or already know. However, my goal is to deliver it in such a way that it stops you in your tracks. What I’m preparing to share should cause you to give serious thought about where you are versus where you’d like to be financially like nothing has before. There are stories to share and real-life experiences that detail my struggle and how I finally came to the realization that a change had to be made, and only I could make it. For me, change had to be immediate, and there was no looking back—only looking ahead. I’m sharing details of my struggles in hopes that you’ll know it’s never too late to change direction no matter how big a hole you’ve created. I also want everyone to understand that even people who are considered to be fairly intelligent and even well-educated also have difficulty in this area. It can happen to anyone. Those making more than enough money to pay the bills and live a lavish lifestyle often have the same challenges saving money as someone who feels they don’t make enough to set money aside. Regardless of your current status, not recognizing where you are and making the necessary adjustments to turn things around is the only unacceptable decision. Wake up! It’s time to be honest about your financial position. If you feel that you have to get started quickly and don’t want to spend the time to understand what I’ve gone through, skip to Spending with Purpose, and begin there. (You can always come back later and read other portions if you need a little motivation.)

Introspection is always a good place to begin. Ask yourself this question, When was the last time I had $100 left in my account from a previous paycheck? If you’re still thinking about it, it’s time to make a serious change. Given the multitude of different ways in which to do so, talking about how to save can be daunting, mysterious, overwhelming, and a little frightening. What will be discussed is not the how to overcome these barriers. No, no, no, we will not waste time quelling fears or soothing nerves. It’s not that I don’t care or that I’m trying to minimize the feelings that anyone may have surrounding them. The only reason I have put pen to paper, as it were, is that I do care more deeply than anyone can imagine and for reasons I’ll disclose later. Understand that each person is at a different stage in their journey of financial stability. Therefore, speaking to all fears would delay getting to the heart of how to resolve them or, at the very least, changing destructive habits. I’m not one to dwell on things that cannot be changed when trying to find a solution will be so much more fruitful. If you must release the anxiety you feel, here’s what I suggest. Write down everything that’s worrying you about not being able to save, put it in a nonflammable bowl or pot, and burn it. (For some, this may result in a small bonfire so this should probably be done outside.) While it’s burning, say out loud all of the changes you want to make in your financial life and speak life into your new journey. Release these feelings to the universe so we can get on with the business of correcting the behavior instead of worrying about the residual emotions it has caused. Now, write down today’s