The fear of being broke (and how to use it)
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Trent Hamm Guest blogger
I鈥檓 afraid of being broke.
I鈥檓 afraid of not having enough money to be able to pay for simple extracurricular expenses for my children, like a band instrument.
I鈥檓 afraid of working out of fear of losing a paycheck rather than the desire to create something and help others.
I鈥檓 afraid of having to constantly choose between needs and to have to choose mediocre solutions because that鈥檚 all I can afford.
I鈥檓 afraid of having to put skimpy or unhealthy meals on the table for my family because that鈥檚 my only choice.
When I sit down and rationally look at the numbers, I know the fear is utter foolishness.
When I actually look at the financial progress I鈥檝e made over the last seven years, I know, without a doubt, that being afraid of being broke is just nonsensical.
When I look at my monthly budget, I know it鈥檚 foolish.
When I forecast the next several years of our lives, even assuming that either Sarah or I make absolutely no income over that period, I can see that our good choices have paid off and I can see that I don鈥檛 have to fear being broke.
Yet, I still fear being broke.
It鈥檚 not the 鈥渒eep me up all night鈥� fear that I once had about my money. I don鈥檛 have this overwhelming sense of doom with every single action that I take.
Instead, it鈥檚 a feeling that crops up whenever I make a spending decision or when I think about my future. I picture what things would be like if I started overspending or if I started making poor financial choices. I picture those fears that I describe above.
It鈥檚 a subtle little nudge that keeps me on the right track.
For me, this small kind of fear balances very well with a goal-oriented and optimistic perspective about the future. Most of the time, my goals and general sense that I鈥檓 on the right track are enough to make me not even think about making the poor decision, but in the moments where that fails, that little twinge of fear is enough to keep me on the right track.
Fear can be a powerful motivator in the right context. It needs to not overwhelm you and not keep you from taking chances that have a potential positive outcime, but it should be there in the background, guiding you away from the poor choices.
