Financial Self-Defense

When viewing the world of self-defense, most people limit their thoughts to physical training (getting in shape, and technique training through a shortened course in martial arts, or martial arts) , weapons training (learning to shoot a gun, accurate and safely, learning to use a knife or other assorted weapons), and mental training (situation awareness training, spiritual training in some cases, etc). But most do not think beyond those elements.

My perspective is that self-defense is essentially learning to assess your risk and have some strategies and tactics to deploy if you missed something or could not avoid. In that capacity, finances fall very much within that realm.

Frequently people – myself included – fail to see what is creating any financing distress they may having. Only you can determine if you are in financial distress. From the experience, I have learned what causes me to miss the risks, and I plan on sharing ways to help your avoid risk.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs points out that our most fundamental needs are shelter, food, warmth, rest, and health (Physiological Needs). Depending on which web version you look you may see a few more or less items on there. Fundamentally these are what you need to survive. Simply put: 1) Food, 2) Water, and 3) Shelter.

When our spending starts to go beyond that, then there is something else going on. Only you (maybe with the help of counselor) can determine that. But if an expenditure is outside of your fundamental basic needs – especially if you feel under financial distress – consider pausing and thinking about why you really want it. If there is not a truly urgent need to meet one of your physiological needs, set it aside, and then put money aside to purchase it. Yes it may cost more, but it will be a decisive instead of an impulse purchase.

So one way to start saying money TODAY is to unsubscribe from all of the emails where you are being offered something that you had no idea you could not live without. Lets start the process of removing the temptation. For things on you wish list that are NOT in the category of “physical needs”, put money aside for a purchase, research the prices cycle of such items through a site such as https://camelcamelcamel.com/ and be deliberate with your purchases.