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Locate the Emergency Exit Closest to Your Location

I remember the first time I got brave enough to go on a roller coaster. I was 12, and I was at a theme park with some friends. I was nervous. As the line snaked through artificial rocks and trees that were characteristic of the theme of the ride, there were numerous exits half-hearted thrill-seekers could take advantage of if their apprehension got the better of them. Before I got brave enough to make the entire journey, I would take advantage of one of those exits. More often than not, someone else would follow me out. Eventually my friends talked me into actually getting on the ride. Yes, I had a great time, and I’m glad I did it.

What does this experience have to do with finances, you ask? Hear me out. Sometimes it’s alright to go with the crowd, but sometimes, even when it’s hard or uncomfortable, you have to be willing to be the one to say, “No, I’m not doing that because it’s not in my best interest.” It’s possible that no one will go with you, but someone just might.

On your financial fitness quest, there will be things (and when I say things, I mean people) who try to detract you from your worthy goal of total independence. Like when you lose weight, even your best buddies might be jealous of your willpower and desire to change for the better. It might be subconscious or not, but it doesn’t matter. There will be things (people) who will attempt to sabotage you.

You need to have a plan, an exit strategy. List all the potential distractions and your responses to them ahead of time. Write them down. Make them positive. “I’m choosing to spend my money on something else,” instead of “I can’t afford that.” Make sure your children hear you use this kind of language. Practice in front of a mirror. When confronted with this type of situation, you will have already verbalized the response. And who knows, maybe someone else will take a cue from you and get off that insane roller coaster known as the Spending Spree.

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