What Road Are You On?
by Lonnie Scruggs

 

       Imagine planning a trip…a trip that will end either with your financial success, or financial failure. Checking your roadmap, you see there are many different roads, leading in many different directions. So many roads, so many choices. In trying to decide which road to pick, you notice that most of them have a sign saying " Travel first, pay later". And you think, "Hey, I like that, just like using my credit card." (You can postpone the pain) You also notice that a few of the roads have a sign saying, "Pay Before You Travel". Yuk, that idea doesn't excite you in the least. So you check out your choices.

"J.O.B. Road." This road leads to the "JOB Factory Club". This is the road you take if you want "good benefits, good security, and good retirement." Hey, isn't that what the schools teach us? Pick this road and you've made a decision to let somebody else determine what you will do, how much you will get paid, and what kind of retirement you will get. (Providing you don't get "downsized" along the way). This is a very crowded road, so expect a lot of traffic jams and wrecks. But you don't have to pay a toll until you reach the end of the road. (Yeah, right.)

"Dead End Road." This road goes nowhere. Take this road you will join a world of people who made the wrong choice years ago… people who now find themselves trapped in a job they don't like, but pays just enough to keep them coming back everyday. But since they've developed a "comfort zone" mentality, none of them have the determination, motivation, or just plain old guts to do anything about their bad choice. So they keep doing the same thing they've been doing, and continue getting the same poor results they've always gotten. And with little, or no hopes of improving their lifestyle. You'll find plenty of company on this road, too. But again, it's the easy road and no tolls to pay until you reach the end.

"Do Nothing Road". This is the road for people who can't make a decision, so they never do anything. These are the people who have gone to all the seminars, and bought all the books, tapes and courses. But they never got around to reading the books, listening to the tapes or using any of the knowledge. Or, either they read or listen to just enough to convince themselves that "It won't work where I live". So all that material, with all that knowledge, stays in the closet gathering dust until they decide to sell it on EBay. So they continue to do nothing, which is really a decision to stay where they are. Well, they do complain a lot about the government not doing enough for them, but that doesn't buy the groceries, or pay the rent. And except for the cost of all that unused material, there's no tolls to pay on this road, either. Until later.

"Financial Freedom Road". This road leads to financial security, financial freedom, and a lifestyle that all the people who travel the other roads only dream about, but never get to enjoy. But unlike the other roads, you have to pay your dues and tolls before you can travel this road. And because of that, only about 5% of the people will be traveling this road. So there will be plenty of room and no traffic jams.

Why does this road have so few travelers, and the others so many? The answer is simple… because 95% of the people who chose to travel the other roads took the easy way (well, it seemed easy at the time) and chose to pay their tolls later, rather than now. They not only chose to let someone else dictate how much money they earned, how many hours they worked, when and how much vacation they got, but they also chose to let someone else "fix" their retirement income. Then when they find themselves old, tired, sick and poor, they realize that all those years of working for what they thought would be a "good retirement, with good benefits" was really just a big toll that has now become due and payable. And like many of the others, their battle cry becomes "I can't afford (fill in the blanks) I'm on a fixed income". Folks, here's the best tip you will ever get from anyone…If you plan on retiring on a "fixed income" you had better be the one doing the fixing.

Our lives are governed by our choices and the habits we develop and practice. Many of you are now at a cross-road and it's time to make an important decision. It's not a question of IF you will pay for your education (or lack off), but rather WHEN you will pay. Did you ever wonder why so few people enjoy financial success, while the majority never do? Because successful people make a firm commitment, are willing to pay their dues in advance, then choose the road that will lead them to their goals. The other (95%) either choose the wrong road, or they're still sitting at the stop light trying to make a decision. And all the time, life is passing them by.

Here's a simple little test to help you decide what you want out of life and how to achieve it. Out of all the people you know, who do you want to be like? When you decide that, then learn what, and how, that person achieved the lifestyle they have. Then design a game plan and a road-map that will enable you to do the same. It's really not that hard to do once you develop the proper attitude, discipline and motivation. But you do have to be willing to pay your dues up front.

Here's a question for you. If you do the same thing THIS year, as you did LAST year, where will you be NEXT year? Read this again, then stop and give it some serious thought, and your honest answer. If you can truly say that you like where you are today, then you don't need to make any changes, just keep doing the same thing you're been doing. But if the road you're traveling won't get you where you want to go, then take the next exit and get on the road that will take you there.

In case you haven't heard, Mobile Home Millions 6 will be held in Austin, Texas on April 18-20th. This convention will teach you how to become financially independent and how to make money work for you, instead of you working for money. And if you don't understand how money works, be prepared to spend your life working for people who do. Just ask some of the people who traveled the wrong road for 40 years and wound up on a "fixed income".

In addition to the speakers, you will have the chance to meet, socialize, and swap stories with people from all over the country who are doing what you want to do. You will meet people who are looking to do their first deal, and people who have done many deals. You will meet people who are more than willing to share their experiences and be your friend. If you arrive a stranger, you will leave feeling like family.

If you haven't already registered, what are you waiting for, a tow truck? I hope not, because there won't be any. You have to get there on your own. So make your reservations now! And don't focus on what it will cost to attend, focus on what it will cost not to attend.

If you're serious about becoming financially independent, make plans to get on the road to Austin. If not, start saving your money, because you have a big toll coming due.

See you in Austin,
Lonnie Scruggs
P.S. You will learn how to "fire your boss" and join the UBA club.

Lonnie is the author of "Deals on Wheels", "Making Money with Mobile Homes and Taking the Mystery Out of Money".....Three MUST HAVE books for making money with mobile homes.