Finance with Don Fraser Fraser Farm Finance

Well, Christmas and New Year are over. And 2017 has arrived. So do we feel any better or any worse as another year has just flashed by? And we are wondering what 2017 will bring?

Are you happy and have you achieved your goals for 2016 or is it just an ongoing battle in Struggle Street? For many 2017 is an exciting time with opportunities abounding. For others it is just boring business as usual. Is your cup half full or half empty? Do you see a bright future with heaps of opportunity or just a dark hole with no light?

Dreaming is very good for the brain and powerful if you can implement some of the dreams. Dreaming can be challenging for some, you may need to lie back on the sand, let the sun warm your body and mind. Close your eyes and let your mind drift. Drift to where you would like to go or be.

Aha moment

Dream what you want your life to be then figure out how to get there. Keep your eyes closed and try to dream how much better you may feel if you achieve your dreams. How would it look? What action do you need to take to get there? How will you maintain that position once you are there? How will you find it and what changes do you need to achieve your dreams?

Many people will find 2017 difficult and tough. They will feel overwhelmed and out of control. “Last year was tough and this year is going to be no different,” they will say. That is true if they chose that thought. If they have an “aha” moment they will realise if they keep thinking the same, they are likely to keep getting the same result.

So the question is: “What do I have to do differently, or think differently to get a better outcome?” It is that shift that is necessary to get a different result.

Apparently, we can chose how we feel. Takes a bit of practise but we can chose to feel down or chose to feel happy. This choice is ours, so to speak.

Then wrapped around all of this is our financial position. Do we have enough money to pay the bills, retire, buy that car, or change properties?

Financial literacy

Many people live with all their credit used up. There is no freeboard so to speak. There is nothing more stressful than wondering if your cheques are about to bounce; and for many, the banks will see 2017 as a new start to clean up their lending book so make sure they do not start with your account! Financial literacy is essential but little talked about with practically no schooling on it.

If there were one subject that needs to go in the school curriculum it is financial literacy. How is that we are taught English and maths to go into the workforce, but we have no understanding running and managing our financial affairs? Maybe we should seek help and try to get a better handle on our own financial situation.

It is clear everybody wants our money. Can you hang onto enough of it? As a great friend of mine tells it: “It is spending less than you earn!”

In summary, dream a little, or a lot, then try to implement some of those dreams for a better life. Add to that a lift in attitude and better understanding of your financial literacy and you could have a better 2017. Go on, dream a little!

Disclaimer – These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought.

Don Fraser is the principal of Fraser Farm Finance and a consultant to the farming industry.

Contact him on 0800 777 675 or 021 777 675. A disclosure document is available on request.