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Have you ever dreamt about what you would do with $1 Million if it happened to plop down into your lap unexpectedly? Or have you ever wished that a long, lost rich uncle dies and leaves you his entire $5 Million estate? We've all had a money fantasy like that. Unfortunately, for most of us windfalls like this are not a reality.
Money has been on my mind a lot lately. I see all the news about the debt crisis the President and a bunch of old dudes in Congress mumble on about. I heard that the unemployment rate in the area I live in has risen. I worry that I won't land another stable client in my freelancing business. We all seem to be in search of money.
They say that money isn't important, and while that is true, I got kids to feed, bills to pay, and a frickin' mortgage that is ginormous (sounds like lyrics to a John Cougar Mellencamp song). When I take a look around and see so many people struggling, cuts being made to things that should be important, and budgets being chopped down to pennies, it makes me wonder...where is all the money? Where did it go? Didn't we have some at one point? Or were we all living a dellusional life on over-extended credit?
Suze Orman, money expert with freakish eyeballs (I swear that woman NEVER blinks), says:
Macroeconomics matter, but your security depends far more on microfinance—the small choices you make with your money. Every financial worry you want to banish and financial dream you want to achieve comes from taking tiny steps today that put you on a path toward your goals.
Read more: 9 Small Financial Steps That Will Pay Off Big
Okay, that's working with what money I've got. Trying to make the most of it. I get that and everything but how do I get MORE money?
David Bach, the get rich quick expert with a huge forehead, says:
Billions of dollars in unclaimed assets are sitting in government coffers—and maybe some of it is yours.
Read more: 7 Easy Ways to Find Hundreds of Dollars In Less Than One Hour
Well, I can try searching for unclaimed money the government owes me but I'm pretty sure that I don't have any money left on the table. Ever since I've earned an income and had to pay taxes, I'ved waited with baited breath for any refunds and made damn sure I got them all (every last penny). So I'm thinking this is a dead end for me. Any other money guru want to give advice for getting more money?
Jean Chatsky, Today's Money Editor and everyday plain Jane, says:
[To get richer] you need to set an income goal, ask for a raise, work an extra hour a week, and learn more about making more money.
Read more: Four Steps to Getting Richer
In other words, you've got to put in some blood, sweat, and tears to make more money. But, what if you've kind of already done that and you're not really making that much more?
Money can be an elusive commodity that slips through your fingers as easily as a rapid squid. If you're like me and you'd rather watch paint dry then manage money, it will probably always be a problem for you. This is one area of my life where I feel like a complete dolt (well, I kind of feel like a dolt most of the time to be honest). I've been able to keep my head above water but I can never quite get out of the water long enough to see the beach. I'm focused on fixing that and attempting to learn more about effectively managing the money we've got and being smarter about spending. It is going to be a steep learning curve.
What are your favorite money management tips? Any particular strategies work best for you and your family?
(Photo: Aspire)
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