All is Not Lost

The first year Lauren (my now wife) and I started dating, I decided I’d go from my home in Virginia to spend some time with her and her family in Michigan over winter break. 

I was brainstorming winter Michigan activities and Lauren’s dad suggested I try and cut down a tree with an ax. (Does it get more Michigan?) The problem was, I had never done this before. But it felt like my manliness was in question. So I did something I’m not proud of and I fibbed and told him this wasn’t going to be my first rodeo with an ax… but it definitely was. 

The tree he pointed me to was on a slight slope, something I learned SHOULD be an important consideration when cutting down a tree. I assumed my position beside the tree on the hill and started swinging. I was making quick work of that little pine and decided I’d finish it with one final blow. But instead of hitting the tree, the ax slipped and cut right through the top of my boot. 

I went inside to inspect the damage and as I took my boot off, I revealed a bloody mess. I was sure this was the last time I would see my foot before they had to amputate it! But after I rinsed it with water, I realized I actually just had a very small cut, but I had just hit a vein. With a little super glue (yes, really) and a bandaid, I was as good as new. Crisis averted. Michigan activity completed!

Have you ever started looking at your personal finances and had the same experience as I did when I took off my boot? It can feel overwhelming and like all is lost. When I first started my personal finance journey, I felt like I was bleeding out everywhere! It felt like all was lost and I couldn’t pinpoint the problems. This feeling of being overwhelmed didn’t lead to forward progress. It actually led me to quit several times before even starting. 

If this is you, I have some good news. If we can just rinse off your finances, there’s probably only one or two small areas that are causing your checking account to bleed out. All is not lost! We just need to stop the bleeding. 

Over the next three weeks, I’m going to teach you three techniques to recognize and stop problem areas of spending. When you implement these techniques, you will begin making predictable financial progress. 

If your finances feel like a blood bath, it’s time to stop the bleeding. All is not lost. In fact, if you stick with me and implement these simple techniques, you’re going find extra money laying around that we’ll then begin to put to use saving for your bright future. 

Until next week, 

Zach Santmier

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Zach Santmier is the owner of Trumble Agency, Inc. and the author of the personal financial course, Increase. He focuses on helping families escape paycheck to paycheck living so they can freely pursue their ideal future.