You may recall a popular children’s television show several years ago called “The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.” The characters were unique in that they were average, ordinary people, but when they came together they would morph or transform into new form with special powers to fight off evil forces.
In the book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, the author discusses how morphin’, or transformation is often desired by people.
The desire for transformation lies deep in every human heart. This is why people enter therapy, join health clubs, get into recovery groups, read self help books, attend motivational seminars and make New Year’s resolutions.
The book points to a road of transformation for a much more spiritual life. As I read it, I quickly learned how it closely relates to improvement of personal finances.
Perhaps you’re reading this post today because you’re ready to improve or transform the way you’re managing money. I want to provide a roadmap to help you improve your personal finances, but also discuss some of the benefits of doing so.
What Does A Transformed Person Look Like?
What does it look like when someone has decided that “it’s morphin’ time” and they’re ready to take steps to improve their personal finances?
This person as having the following characteristics:
- A willingness to make sacrifices. We’ve all heard Dave Ramsey say “living off rice and beans and beans and rice.” While there is some humor in that, there is also some seriousness because you have to shake things up sometimes to initiate change. Perhaps the entertainment budget gets sliced and diced.
- A true hate for debt. I believe you really have to admit to how bad debt smells. Paying off debt and then accumulating more is the same as someone throwing a lasso around a runner, who is about to cross the finish line, and pulling him back behind everyone else.
- The person has an eagerness or hunger to learn more. I think we can all admit, even for those who are professionals in the financial arena, we don’t know everything about personal finance. There are a number of components that require different sets of knowledge. But we can all learn the basics and we can all learn more about God’s plan for managing money.
- A passion or desire to run through brick walls to accomplish goals! Have you ever had passion for something enough that you’re not going to let anything stop you? Sure you have. Even if there are certain factors beyond your control, you don’t let them set you back when they occur. You get back up and keep going.
The Benefits Of Improving Your Personal Finances
I can think of several important reasons to get serious about morphin’ and improving your personal finances:
- You can have more time and money. It’s true. The further you go down the Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps, or the Crown Money Map, you’ll find you have more time and money. This equates to a point in life in which you can be more generous to help others. I believe it to be true financial freedom (adopted from Crown).
- A closer walk with God. When we’re managing money more wisely and following His principles, we’re simply in deeper fellowship with Him. God gave us over 2300 scriptures to show us how to manage money. If we can live by those principles, we’ll find things work a whole lot better.
- You can have stronger relationships. There is a reason why money is one of the leading causes of divorce. The answer is not having more, or becoming rich. The answer is managing it wisely. When it’s managed well and good communication is in place, things just tick a long much better.
- Accomplish goals and establish forward momentum. Ah, the beautiful words of “forward momentum.” Stagnation on the financial journey isn’t much fun. It’s boring and no one likes to plateau. But, transformation, or morphin’, equate to steps forward. Debt is history, savings provides a safety net and wealth grows. Doesn’t that sound nice?
How To Improve Your Personal Finances
Beyond establishing the above characteristics, I can think of a number of specific actions to transform. And I invite you to add to this list in the comments. But I think there are three actions that are easy, we can all do, yet are often sadly ignored.
- Establish a spending plan. Yes, that’s it. Establishing a plan is saying “its morphin’ time” and you go to work. A plan can include your monthly spending goals, or a 5 year plan for your finances. But in the plan, you’ll find freedom. With a plan you can help remove anxiety and uncertainty. I consider myself to be a pretty organized person. I’m self motivated and will work hard to accomplish goals. But I’m disorganized without a plan and find myself treading water if I don’t have specific steps to follow.
- Live by your spending plan. The next best thing you can do is to follow the plan. If you establish a monthly budget you must be serious about following it. I’m a believer in following the monthly plan, because without it, the 5 year plan doesn’t really get fed. What I mean is the steps you take each month help you accomplish the goals you’ve established in the next 5 years.
- Finally, we need to seek help. But, I’m doing okay you might say. Really? We can all have our eyes opened with a good review and establishing some accountability. Find a trusted source and open your books. Open your spending to them and show them how and where your money goes. Ask for an unbiased opinion. Can you do that? Dave Ramsey provides free counselors and so does Crown Financial Ministries. You may just find something in your discussion that helps make the right tweak to take a big step forward.
Are you ready to improve your personal finances? It’s morphin’ time!
What do you think about these tips?
This is a post I previously published at BibleMoneyMatters.com and that has been modified for posting at OMD.
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