Old Ways Won’t Open New Doors

By: Linda Jacob, AFC®, CFP®

I recently saw this saying and took a picture of it with my phone, so that I would remember it.  Now, I have it printed out and in a frame in my office.  It’s a great reminder that if we always do what we’ve always done, we will always get what we always got! 
When I am doing budgeting work with my clients, there are many times that the numbers just don’t work.  The client is experiencing a deficit every month.  I tell them that in order to make their budget work, they have to spend less or make more, or a little of both.  We will go back through the budget line by line and discuss changes to spending, and then discuss ways to make more money as well.
Many times, I am met with resistance.  The client is not willing to change.  I bring up suggestion after suggestion and they continue to tell me why they can’t do that.  It eventually gets to the point that I say quite simply, “then tell me what you are willing to do”, and I quietly wait.  You see, you have to make changes if you want different experiences.  There is no magic that will get your money in order.  You have to take action.  Stop doing what were doing, and try something new.  You never know what doors will open, but to not try is a great way to make sure they stay closed.