Former Worker Bee

First, the good news. I completed my goal! Remember I wanted to incorporate reading one book each week (I think I will call it my One-a-Week)? Well, I did it! I know I know it’s a small accomplishment, but I am going to celebrate the small successes just as much as I do the big ones.  It was perfect timing too—me reading the book The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason—because I got so discouraged when I received my paycheck. I was expecting it to be more than it was. FRUSTRATED! I just couldn’t believe that my check still looked on the lean side after working long hours (sometimes 16 hours a day).  

Then I remembered reading about Sharru Nada one of the ancient Babylonians. Sharru Nada was sold into slavery to cover a debt of his father’s. Before the auction he met a couple slaves who were also being auctioned off. One guy advised Sharru Nada not to work hard for his new master, “who wants to work hard?” he said. The other guy he met was a little wiser and had a different philosophy when it came to work. He referred to work as his best friend. He told Sharru Nada to let the buyer know (at the auction) that he was a good worker. He told him to do this to avoid becoming a bricked carrier; all the slaves who were not bought at the auction would end up becoming brick carriers. If he could convince the buyer that he was a greater asset than a brick carrier than he would be in a better position to save money to buy his freedom. He did exactly so. After reading that story my motivation was restored. Sharru Nada worked hard for his freedom and I am willing to work hard for my freedom too!

After snapping out of the “doom and gloom” and “woe is me” mood I started taking action and committing some of their money-making principles to memory.

In the book, it talked about how the ancient Babylonians saved one-tenth of their earnings. The money that they saved would only be used for investment purposes. So, I opened up an account and deposited one-tenth of my pay check. Taking action always makes me feel better.

You may be wondering what I plan on investing in. I have to be honest. I got bitten by the real estate bug. Yes, I am one of those people. The beginning of this year I have really made educating myself on real estate investing and financial education a priority.
Just like most Americans I have consumer debt; less than some, more than others. I wasn’t taught the right way to handle finances, how to save and the importance of investing my money. Now that I am an adult I can no longer use that as an excuse. Now is the time to do something about it. It’s time for some action. That is why I started this blog, thinking the readers can hold me accountable.

I planned to write at least once a week on my blog. This has been harder than I thought with all of the hours I have been working over the past couple of weeks. I know that overtime at work will not last for much longer. That is why I am trying to take advantage of it while I can.

On my agenda for next week I am reading Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk. I will also be working on my business plan.