Anyone could buy a Porsche - I'll tell you how

[Moms Money]

I just found a great article "How Can I Afford It?" by Alexis Martin Neely and she encourages us to think "how can I afford it" instead of "I can't afford it".

It reminded me of the conversation I had with my sister a while ago. She is single, highly educated professional woman, and she has been obsessed with Porsches ever since she was a kid. I told her one day that she should buy the Porsche she has always been dreaming of. She said "are you crazy, I can't afford it."

"Anything in life is possible, if you have the guts to pursue it. The things money can buy are the easiest ones to achieve - all you really need is more money" I told her "it's easier for you to buy the Porsche than finding a husband-candidate!"

And I explained my theory how.

She could move to a smaller apartment, and give up her car, and use a bus as long as it takes. She lives in Europe, in a city with great public transportation. She could stop eating out. Forget about vacations, going to movies and the latest trendy clothes. Get rid of the cable TV. Take a second job for evenings and weekends; something fun like as a coffee shop barista - great public place for meeting those husband candidates too. She'd be busy working and saving money - she wouldn't even have time to spend money. It's all about prioritizing.

Of course, there are more important things and goals in life than buying a Porche, like paying your children's tuition, but the ways to achieve your goal reminds the same.

Give it a try - part of this theory might just work on other things in life too, not just on buying things.

Personally for me my family, happiness and my relationship with my husband are the most important, and it has taken a lot of giving up on things, passion and staying focused to make my marriage the best I can. Things don't come easy, not even Cinderella stories.


THINK WHAT YOU CAN GIVE UP
Think what you are willing to give up in order to reach your goal. Take drastic measures if needed. Think what you really need, and what is just a luxury to you.

ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE IT ALL BUT YOU CAN HAVE WHAT YOU WANT
Only a few people can say they have all what they want, whether it's personal happiness, wealth, relationship, health, dream house or career. But often you can have what is the most important thing for you if you focus your thoughts and actions to achieve it. Can't help you find love nor get your health back, but when it comes to money, this is easy to achieve by prioritizing on the things that really have a meaning to you.

BE PASSIONATE
If you are truly passionate about it - you can achieve it. The passion will keep you focused on your goal, and make it easier to achieve it.

DON'T THINK WHAT YOU ARE MISSING OUT - STAY FOCUSED
Put a picture of your goal on your fridge door, or think of another way to have a daily reminder why you are giving up on things while you are working towards your goal. Drop the fashion magazine subscriptions temping you to buy new shoes, go to grocery store with a full tummy.

CHANGES ARE YOU'LL GET UNEXPECTED BONUSES
Also, find a way to enjoy the things you had to change in your life - like how Alexis enjoyed living with a roommate, or like how my sister could have taken a second job where she could have even met The One and made new friends.

Ps. My sister never bought the Porsche, but she did find The One, and now she is using this theory to get herself a motorcycle - matching to her new boyfriend's bike.

[To Think is to Create]

This was so inspirational, and exactly the way I think. We can create our own happiness, it rarely--if ever--just falls into our lap. It's all about intention.

[Jenna McCarthy]

Two thoughts: One, you hit the nail on the head with the being busy=spending less. I always tell my hubby that when I'm slammed with work (I'm a freelance author/writer, so I only make money when I'm actually working), it's like I'm being paid double-time: What I'm earning, plus what I'm NOT out spending.

Secondly, I think people definitely underestimate how much they can live without. When I graduated from college and got my first job, my dad "made" me sit down with a financial advisor. (I say "made" because I didn't see the point--I had no finances about which to be advised!) Anyhow, this guy sat me down and looked at my take-home pay (pitiful sum that it was) and asked, "If they told you they were being forced to cut back that pay by $10 a week, would it dramatically impact your life? What about $20? What about $50?" It was by using this technique that I began to save a little from each paycheck--and within less than 10 years I'd saved $50K.

Similarly, when I had almost paid off my first new car (I was in my mid-twenties at this point), I remember being SO excited that I was soon going to have an extra $210 a month when I paid the thing off. The LAST page in the "coupon book" (and I realize I'm dating myself here :) said, "You're already used to living with $210 less a month; why not continue to contribute that amount to a savings account?" Needless to say, I did--because my parents had instilled the value of saving into me at an early age. I can't say I always did it willingly, but I can promise you I'm glad NOW that I did!

Anyhow, thanks for creating an inspiring sight!

[Moms Money]

Bry: I think the motorcycle has been nro 2 on my sister's list, so I don't think it was a sacrifice :) And I think they are planning on the Wedding bells, so all is good.

I can relate to you 100%. My husband had a great job in corporate world, and we almost purchased our dream house of over 4000 sqft of luxury. But realized a day before signing the papers that we would have put ourselves to work for the "stuff" and sold our lives to owning things. Two weeks later we moved to the Rocky Mountains. My husband found a more meaningful job, and I started my dream, my own business. We skied together 2-3 times a week, and had a blast for two years. We just recently moved to New York - again to live out our dreams.

And I 100% agree "Its even likely that some of what first seemed like "sacrifices" turn into luxury opportunities themselves." - those are the unexpected bonuses :)

[blissfulfun]

is it possible that buying the porsche will actually HELP her find the husband candidate? lol ( i notice you said b/f not hubbys bike)
isnt it a little dissapointing trading her OWN dream of a porsche for a copy of her boyfriends dream and a motorcycle?
I gotta admit that when i saw the post title I must be abit jaded because I half expected it to be a pitch for a " make big money, buy your dream xxxx" type product or program.

Budgeting and living simply seems to be the key to many of lifes best luxuries that alot of people miss.
maybe its denial
i dont know.
I DO know that when people are caught up in the rat race for more and more and more material things that their spending always seems to rise to eclipse whatever advances they make in their income.
Its when we prioritize and bring sanity back to the budgeting choices that we can finally afford the greatest luxuries.
Like when I closed my super burdensome $ overhead retail/furnituremaking shop to work from home.
Now there's way more time for the kidlets.
Its even likely that some of what first seemed like "sacrifices" turn into luxury opportunities themselves.
like skipping the fast lane mad rush drive to super walmart for a weeks worth of crap, in exchange for a leisurely walk to the neighborhood store. After a few nights, that walk to the store becomes the peaceful relaxing exercise and accidental social opportunity ( when you meet your neighbors)
suddenly sacrifices dont seem so bad after all
anyway,
nice point
I am off to visualize (more of ) my goals happening.
thanks and take care
Bry

[Moms Money]

A Cowboy's Wife - I'm happy to hear you were able to reach your goal! Congrats!

[A Cowboy's Wife]

Great post! I think people feel like they can't live without this or that but it's so much easier than one would think and it's worth the sacrifice to have some things in life that you actually WANT and not necessarily need.

This is how I got my camera...I quit spending here and there and kept putting it away. Finally was able to buy my DSLR camera:) It took lots of focus and a picture of it hanging on my computer for motivation....LOL