We paid $122 dollars for a baby's sock.  Let me explain.  Our washing machine is back in working order and our wallet is 122 dollars lighter.  I'm giving myself a good stiff kick to the butt right now because my laziness cost me that money.  I'm not mad at the repair guy; in fact, I'm thankful that he came out and did an excellent job of getting our washing machine back online.  I'm kicking myself because he was in and out in a short period of time and handed my wife a sock.  A tiny little baby sock.  Doh!  I had hoped it was the water pump so I could at least save a bit of face.  Alas, I still get the opportunity to show you that I still sometimes pay for the privilege of being stupid.  I don't have any problem paying someone to come out and fix something that is broken.  However, we're still at a point where we have more time than money and I should have hauled my lazy butt off the couch this weekend and tried to do it myself.  I have the skills to do it… I just didn't want to do it…

As I thought about this, I began to realize how many of us have that attitude not only with our finances but in many other areas of our lives.  We are all looking for someone else to fix the problem for us.  We want the government to fix the problem.  We want our spouse to fix the problem.  Anyone and everyone but me should fix the problem.  Here's what I'm learning.  I need to take responsibility for me.  If I think something needs to be changed then I need to get off my freaking butt and work on it.  I need to decide that I'm going to be the solution and not the problem.  The problem is really me and not x, y or z. 

Don't wait for the magic pill that will take 20 pounds off your waist and make you look 20 years younger.  Don't wait for the government to solve your problems.  Don't wait for the lottery to clean up your financial mess.  You are personally responsible for you.  You have the mind and the ability to clean up the mess you are in.  It's one thing to struggle with change due to a lack of knowledge.  It's entirely another thing when you won't even get up off your butt in an effort to learn what it is that you need to know.

Will it be easy?  Heck NO!  But only you can take the steps necessary to change your life.

I'm putting together a series of posts that will provide you the methods necessary to attain financial fitness and achieve financial freedom.  These posts will become available throughout the upcoming week.  At that point you will have the knowledge necessary to move forward.  Of course, the question then becomes, what will you do with that knowledge?  Will you be like me?  For the longest time, I just sat on my knowledge and talked a good game.   In the end, talk is cheap.  Quit talking and start doing, go kick some financial tail!

When will you start?