Picture this: You’ve set up a business, hustled your ass off a year or two and it’s all starting to pay off. The cash is rolling in. You’re earning way more than you’ve ever experienced in your life. You get a car upgrade, start to develop expensive hobbies, get a new house with a big mortgage. I mean, you’ve made it, right? ⠀
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Wrong.⠀
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You never know when it could all come crashing down. In 2008 we were doing well, really well. I was collecting a nice paycheck each month and then came the the economic crash. It didn’t affect us as a company at all. But over 3 months from September to December I suddenly found myself with 35% of what I was earning. I live in Japan and money flooded into the country as it was seen as a safe haven. The price of Yen went through the roof and when my money was sent here it didn’t convert to much. It was a real eye-opener. Something totally out of my control has a massive impact on my life. I wasn’t putting any money by. Every month my bank balance would be rejuvenated and suddenly I found myself struggling. Here’s a good rule of thumb: if you can’t afford 2 of them you can’t afford it. Because for every nice thing you buy yourself you should be putting the same money aside as savings or other investment that can be easily liquidated. So keep grinding it out, keep hustling and if find some success don’t squander it. Save. Invest. Keep your feet on the ground. 👍👍👍⠀