Over the years I have noticed a similarity among those who are making strides toward becoming financially healthy. Some similar traits link them together even though they come from all different walks of life, income levels, and social status. Here are 10 traits I have noticed.
1. Sweat Equity
These people have what they have because they earned it through hard work, planning, and perseverance.
2. Realistic
These people do not allow credit to create the illusion that they can afford whatever they have access to buy. They see that affordability is based on cash reserves, not credit resources.
3. Patient
People on the road to financial health are not infected with the “instant gratification bug”. They are willing to postpone many of their desires until they get to the place where they can actually pay cash without going into debt. They follow Dave Ramsey’s philosophy of “Living today like they NEED to live, so they can live tomorrow like they WANT to live.”
4. Debt Haters
These people view debt as a form of indentured servitude.
5. Planners
These people plan for the needs of tomorrow. They have an emergency savings account, put aside money for retirement, and they save ahead to pay for what they want to have or do.
6. Self-reliant
These people are known for rolling up their sleeves, not sticking out their hands. They do not expect someone else to provide for them.
7. Freedom Loving
These people see America as the “Land of Opportunity” where dreams can be accomplished.
8. Values Oriented
Values are focused on the simple things of life like family, friends, and faith, not financial accumulation.
9. Givers and Sharers
These people find happiness and satisfaction in giving, not taking.
10. Grateful/Content
These people seem to possess a genuine appreciation for what they have which allows them to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.