Creating your own personal wealth, from whatever means of income you enjoy, requires knowing where you’re going, and accounting for your own personal finances. It is essential to know what you are worth – your assets and liabilities – and Owner’s Equity – before you can start to develop a good
financial plan to create wealth.
In the world of accounting Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity so this is what we have to establish now.
Firstly you have to work out what your assets and liabilities are, then you can calculate your Owner’s Equity. When you know what you are worth, developing a financial plan to reduce your debt and achieve your financial goals is the frst
step to personal wealth.
Step 1. Calculate the amount of your outstanding liabilities (or money you owe). This means you write down in a list exactly how much you owe right now on
your mortgage, credit cards, and any other bills or loans.
Step 2. Now make a list of all your assets (dollar value you would get for these if they were sold). For example your cars, home and cash you have in the bank – list all your major assets.
Using the Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity equation we gave you before, calculate what you are worth. Most financial or credit advisers agree you need to allocate money every month into responsible saving, investing and paying down your debts as crucial part of your financial success. It’s not enough to just put money in the bank when you are also carrying a credit card balance because you are losing the benefits of any interest earned on your savings.
To increase your Owner’s Equity you must pay down your liabilities and avoid borrowing more money to buy more assets. It’s dificult sometimes to stick to this plan when there’s advertising in your face all the time to buy this, buy that and buy it NOW! – the “must have everything now” attitude. But you must stay with your financial plan if you want success and personal wealth.
Here is an example of a good financial plan (but this is by no means th only one):
1. The money you are currently investing or putting into your savings account every month, divide the total of it by 3, then –
2. Pay off one third of this money every month to your outstanding debts.
3. Pay one third of this money and deposit it in your savings account at your bank. This will accumulate into a pool of money for your monthly needs. Over time you can use it to finance your family’s future needs or apply it to the goals of your financial plan.
4. Pay the final one third of this money to buy 1-5 year Certificates of Deposit, but save up until you can buy CD’s of $1000.00 every time you invest. Do this buying at one CD every three months to six months, but ensure you keep enough cash in your checking and passbook savings for any emergency.
The biggest barrier to financial success is large credit card debt and not paying it off as quickly as possible. By following these tips you will pay off your liabilities in an appropriate manner. By investing in 1-5 year CDs you’re earning interest and compounding your money by purchasing more CDs at definite intervals. Compounding is very powerful.
It is also suggested when you’ve enough money saved up in your normal savings account, you begin to speed up your mortgage payments every month. Most mortgage lenders allow extra payments per month but check this out with your lender before you increase your payments. If they do, start paying extra every month and you will build equity in your home faster, save on interest charges and complete the mortgage much sooner.
This financial plan is only one of several, but these principles are basic and necessary to reduce your debt faster and build wealth for you and your family quickly. It will also help you acquire spending, saving and investing habits that are conducive to your personal wealth creation.