Do Your Things Own You?

Do you have things like a bicycle, jetski, or swimming pool that sit unused? Is it that you don't have time to use them because you have to work so much just to pay for them? Sometimes it seems like all the things we own somehow own us.

The bad news is that it's often true. We have to arrange our lives around our things. You get a new truck that can go anywhere, but you're too busy working to go there. Someone is out fishing while you are putting in overtime to pay for your fishing boat. You use your large-screen television a lot, but does it sufficiently reduce the debt-stress that came with it?

Break The Chains!

The good news is that there's a better way. Actually, there are three better ways. First, know what you really value. Second, use cash instead of debt. Third, learn how to look at costs and benefits.

Will you really enjoy that $2,000 mountain bicycle enough? Maybe. This isn't about right or wrong desires. It's a question of truly seeing your own values. Think back to things you've bought but not used, or not used enough. What truly enjoyable things could you do with that money if you had it now? You've got to be self aware and honest.

Cash is king. The price may seem the same, but put those things on a credit card and, with interest, you'll pay a lot more. Cash means you have to save and wait a little for things, but you can buy more and have less stress. Credit cards provide the illusion of a richer life. Escaping debt gives you the reality.

Finally, learn to understand costs and benefits. A friend once came to the realization, using pen and paper, that his jetski cost him $300 for every hour he used it the first year. Loan interest, gas, insurance, depreciation, repairs, licenses - these things add up. And he thought it was too expensive to pay $100 per day to rent one! Consider the real costs of things, and look for a cheaper way, or at least make an honest decision that it's worth $300 per hour to you.

Your things should be making your life better. If they aren't, you need to start looking at them differently. Don't let your things own you. Change your approach.

Steve Gillman writes on many topics including brainpower, weight loss, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. Learn more and get free e-courses at http://www.SelfImprovementNow.com

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Google News Updated : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:44:32 GMT Maddon Sticks to ‘Plan,’ Giving Ball to Kazmir - New York Times National Post Maddon Sticks to ‘Plan,’ Giving Ball to Kazmir New York Times - 33 minutes ago By JOSHUA ROBINSON BOSTON - Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon has always disliked last-minute adjustments. So when he threw the Boston Red Sox a curveball on Wednesday by announcing that he was changing his Game 5 starter, Maddon said it was always ... Rays will go with Scott Kazmir in Game 5 Los Angeles Times Rays continue Cinderella story Newsday The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - MLB.com - Tampabay.com - SI.com all 718 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT Omar grows into Category 2 hurricane in Caribbean - The Associated Press BBC News Omar grows into Category 2 hurricane in Caribbean The Associated Press - 1 hour ago CHRISTIANSTED, US Virgin Islands (AP) - Heavy rains and winds pummeled St. Croix on Wednesday as the outer edge of powerful Hurricane Omar drenched the island, stranding motorists on flooded roads and forcing workers to shut down a giant oil refinery. Video: Hurricane Omar Nears Caribbean Islands AssociatedPress Omar Strengthens in Caribbean, Aims at Virgin Islands (Update4) Bloomberg United Press International - Washington Post Blogs - Bradenton Herald - Beaumont Enterprise all 2,958 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:42:51 GMT McCain, Obama get personal in final debate - The Associated Press Washington Post McCain, Obama get personal in final debate The Associated Press - 41 minutes ago HEMPSTEAD, NY (AP) - John McCain told Barack Obama to his face Thursday night, "You didn't tell the American people the truth" about a key campaign pledge as the two presidential rivals slung accusations at close quarters in the final debate of their ... McCain, Obama tussle over backing Bush’s policies Reuters Obama Widens Lead as Americans See `Serious' Crisis (Update2) Bloomberg TIME - Wall Street Journal - Austin American-Statesman - ABC News all 775 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:02:37 GMT FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept" - Ars Technica CNET News FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept" Ars Technica - 3 hours ago By Nate Anderson | Published: October 15, 2008 - 06:08PM CT The FCC's Office of Engineering Technology has released its long-awaited technical report (PDF) on "white space" prototype devices, and the conclusion comes right up front: "At this juncture, ... FCC Chairman backs use of "white space" spectrum CNET News FCC Gives Whites Spaces a Boost New York Times CRN - NetworkWorld.com - The Associated Press - Wired News all 271 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:12:55 GMT Feds investigate failure of Washington Mutual - International Herald Tribune ABC News Feds investigate failure of Washington Mutual International Herald Tribune - 33 minutes ago AP SEATTLE: Federal authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the failure of Washington Mutual Inc., the largest bank failure in US history. Federal Investigators to Examine Washington Mutual New York Times Washington Mutual's Failure Under US Investigation (Update2) Bloomberg Reuters - Wall Street Journal - Seattle Post Intelligencer - ABC News all 87 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:10:47 GMT As Rays Come of Age, Torre Likes Their Look - New York Times Vancouver Sun As Rays Come of Age, Torre Likes Their Look New York Times - 33 minutes ago By TYLER KEPNER LOS ANGELES - For the first 10 years of their existence, when they never won more than 70 games in a season, the Tampa Bay Rays faced Joe Torre more than any other manager. Rollins leads off Game 5 with homer MLB.com Rollins, Phillies lead Dodgers in Game 5 of NLCS The Associated Press USA Today - WDTN - Philadelphia Daily News - Washington Post all 325 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT Paramount to release fewer films, cut 25 DreamWorks employees - Los Angeles Times stv.tv Paramount to release fewer films, cut 25 DreamWorks employees Los Angeles Times - 46 minutes ago By Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Looking to cut overhead and operating expenses after the recent departure of DreamWorks co-founder Steven Spielberg, Paramount Pictures plans to release fewer films, consolidate operations and slash 25 ... Spielberg back in fold Financial Times Paramount cuts films, jobs Straits Times New York Times - AZ Central.com - Bizjournals.com - Reuters all 42 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:58:16 GMT Blogging Software Display RSS Feeds on Your Website

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