Bad Habits Steal Wealth!
By Sharman G. Lawson

Everyone has issues including me!  Some people’s problems are greater than others, but we all have things in our lives that we need to change in order to grow spiritually, financially, and emotionally.  There are good habits and bad habits.  A good habit may be exercising first thing in the morning, saying a prayer before eating, kissing your spouse and children before leaving the house, or having a half-hour of solitude when you first get home from work each day.  Good habits can improve you personally and enrich your environment.  On the flip-side, bad habits can cause you personal harm, drain you of your energy and resources, and steal your wealth. 

Below are just a few habits I am referring to:

Smoking

I don’t dislike people that smoke -- I just detest the habit!  Smoking ruins your health and is costly.  A pack a day habit at $4 a pack can easily cost $1,460 per year.  If you stop smoking a pack a day, in five years, you could save enough to purchase a car, put a small down payment on a house, or just save and invest. 

Drinking

Everyone has their own opinion about drinking alcohol.  Whether you believe its right or wrong if you have a drinking habit, it is stealing your wealth.  A six pack of beer can cost $5 or more; a drink at a club or restaurant can cost $6.00-8.00, and the cost of hard liquor can suck you dry.  Let’s do an average of $7.00 a day to purchase alcohol -- $7.00 x 365 days a year equals $2,555.  It’s like you have holes in your pocket, the money keeps dropping through!

Drugs

Marijuana, crack, methamphetamine, or prescription – If it’s a drug and you have a habit, you will be broke.  It may not be today, but it will probably be tomorrow.  Not only will drugs rob you of financial blessings, they steal your mind, heart, and soul from you, your family, and loved ones.  I can’t even put a monetary value on the damage that a drug habit causes.

Here today – Gone tomorrow!  And I mean gone…That is what a gambling habit will do for you.  Sure it’s probably fun, it challenges you, and it relieves you of boredom.  However, each and every time you make that bet you are taking a chance with your financial future.  Sure you may have a great job, family, and money in the bank, but how long will that last.  At first you have the habit, but then the habit has you.  How much did you spend yesterday -- $20, $100, $1,000, $5,000?  Gambling will rob you blind!

Habits sneak up on you suddenly. 

They start out usually small, fun, and infrequent.  However, after a while, it’s all you think about and it consumes you.  Then it has control of your money, life, and future!

What habits have you allowed to control you and your family?  What decisions have you made that have been selfish, because what you perceived to be enjoyment affected everyone around you?  Have you squandered your financial resources on things that have not made you a better person spiritually, financially, and emotionally?  What are you going to do about it and when?

Now, is the time to take responsibility for your financial future!  You are without excuse.  In black and white you see how much money is being poured down the drain on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis.  Additionally, you personally know the toll it is taking on you and your loved ones.  What will it take for you to get over the hurdle and make a change?

Here are a few steps you can start off with.  Make a decision that you have had enough and you want more out of life.  Make a commitment, come up with a plan and strategy in writing that you will go through the steps and process to eliminate your bad habits.  Find an accountability partner that you can trust and confide in to help you through the process.  Pray and ask God to give you strength, self-control, and boldness to say NO.

Have bad habits stolen your wealth?  Let today be the last day – say yes to a new vision, purpose, and future.

Sharman G. Lawson is the author of the e-book 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever!  Sharman is a personal finance coach and business consultant in the care home industry.  Sharman has appeared on television, radio and in print media.  For more information visit:  www.careenterprisellc.com.