We have been meeting with clients (including a fair number of new ones, thanks to YOUR referrals — keep them coming!), finding so many wonderful ways to help people save on their taxes, that it hardly seems possible that there could be, well, …..more.
But there is.
More, that is. Perhaps you, could give us a call (805) 962-1040) or shoot me back an email through the email button if you need to get the process rolling, and we’ll help you get started right.
There are many new tax law changes that you need to be alerted to and then treated correctly so that you gain your maximum advantage, using the new tax law.
Many people understand that with tax law change there are some new limitations. The necessary thing to know is that these new limits do not apply to your state tax return, so you still have to gather all of the information and let us sift and sort out what goes where so we can work toward minimizing your bottom line tax payment.
But one thing is certain … as the federal government sees its revenue go down (even as its spending goes up, they will be looking for more ways, not less, to fix that problem. And one way you can avoid that happening to you is by having somebody in your corner helping you take every legal and ethical deduction possible.
This artile is building on the previous article about building wealth and making your net worth grow. Previously I brought you the first key to building real wealth: delayed gratification. Today, I write about a corollary to this…
Steve Pybrum’s Second Key To Wealth Building
“You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.” – a famous quote.
Do you have a book or a movie you come back to on a regular basis? By “regular”, I mean maybe once or twice a year. The content is so good, you can’t let years go by without revisiting it.
I hope some of these topics that I share offer you something similar: timeless financial wisdom so that you and your family are put into a position to thrive.
We want and encourage our client’s to be strong wealth builders, create a plan and execute it well. Message the universe, work hard and stick to a plan may be key and essential to building financial wealth. Eventually you will qualify to join our “millionaire maintenance program.”
But what is “thriving” … for you?
Only you can answer that. Do you like to travel? Drive fancy cars? Pursue education? Go see shows? Sporting events? Perhaps thriving for you is more laid-back. Creating space for yourself to rest, read and relax after the daily grind.
Here’s a piece of advice sure to help you thrive regardless of your income: live below your means. Sometimes you have to under commit to your over commitments.
Practiced to Save
In short, living ABOVE your means is spending more than you earn. It’s obviously not rational — but why do so many of us do it? Spending money on that vacation, car or special thing (what you THINK is thriving) is actually driving you into financial despair — no matter how good it feels in the moment.
Sometimes the more you earn the more you spend. Then you get into a cycle of earning and appending and nowhere in the formula is any money being set aside for making investments or for starting a business of your own. We spend hours with celebrities explaining to them how to invest for the future and control their spending, this speech is given right after a movie royalty check for $4million dollars came to their bank account.
Everyone has to learn about the millionaire’s mindset and adopt this for your own household.
All of those fun and worthwhile pursuits can truly be great things, and are made much more beneficial when you save up the money to actually pay for them. This kind of delayed gratification is not what a culture bent on the “quick fix” wants to hear, but you will be better for it in the long run.
One of the best ways to save money and live below your means is to store away top-line cash with each paycheck, fee or commission you receive. Put the money in a separate account such as the bank, brokerage or investment account. That way, a chunk of money is outside the realm of temptation to spend each week. Some of this, you know should be allocated to your IRA or Roth account.
“One day at a time” is the name of the living-below-your-means game. And to win at that game, creating (and actually adhering to) an effective budget system this becomes the playbook you have to follow. Though we never like to use the “B” word.
People at all levels of income need to consider spending some and investing some so there is balance and a chance for a strong financial future.
We represent many self-employed people that have good years and not so good years, one needs to polish their spend and invest movements so that you have created a solid financial base. We often point out that a good real estate investment strategy could be key to your building a strong financial future.
Practiced to Invest
Some people hear the term “diversify your assets” and immediately check out of the conversation. That’s a shame, because a definition of terms can go a long way here.
Assets are what happen when you make your money work FOR you — not the other way around. If opening a brokerage account, or navigating the stock market in general, has ever seemed foreign to you, that’s okay. But the sooner you learn about smart ways to invest, the greater return you will see in 5-10 years … a timeframe that will lapse quicker than you think.
Living below your means also pertains to purchasing a home. What would it look like to spend money on a “less-than-ideal” home, not worry about an excessive mortgage, enjoy good health and then fix the home you choose up to create greater value over time? It might be the perfect time to take a look at the real estate market.
Living below your means is the first step toward having additional funds to invest. That’s where wealth building beings.
Practiced to Give
Now I have a little exercise for you (bear with me here): clench your fist and hold it out in front of you.
Is that how you hold on to your money? Again, a question only you can answer.
Giving away your money for charity serves to alleviate suffering, support causes you’re passionate about, foster community well-being, and promote social justice. It can provide essential resources to those in need and create a positive impact on society.
When you live below your means, you then make it possible to give money to charity or to those truly in need. This is where we examine a different kind of posture — unclenching our fists — so that we experience a different kind of wealth building.
A wealth that leads to legacy.
How do you want to be remembered in life? Not to get too morbid, but the money you have the day before you die will need to go somewhere the day after you die. Fact.
Part of your legacy is built on generational, financial impact. You can begin saving for impact today. All it takes is a little planning, patience and preparation.
Wealth creation can be fun and exciting and can make you feel great after you do it.
That’s a story worth revisiting year after year.
The millionaire’s mindset is fueled by discipline, resilience, and strategic vision. Their purpose for building wealth extends beyond material gain; it’s about creating security, freedom, and opportunities for themselves and those they care about, shaping a legacy of prosperity and impact.
Canberra Company is a tax and financial planning industry leader.
Warmly,
Steve Pybrum
(805) 962-1040
Canberra Company
