There are so many offers, promotions, sales, deals and opportunities all vying for your money and participation. Some of these deals are one time expenses while others lock you into “low monthly payments”. Take that new car you’ve been eyeing for example. You debate whether or not it’s a good deal, what the price is you’re willing to pay, and if you can afford the monthly payments.

As another example, you want to get a new iPod or perhaps the new iPhone or ______ (insert your favorite gadget here). You’ll try to determine if it’s worth the price that’s being asked and you’ll ask yourself if you can afford to buy it at that price.

We don’t just stop there though. We don’t just ask ourselves if we can afford these things; we want them so badly that we either figure out a way to afford them (strain any budget we had) or realize we can’t and buy on credit anyway.

How come very few people ever have the same zeal and ask these questions: How can I afford my financial independence? How much would such a thing cost? What would be the monthly payments?

All too often we are more than willing to sign up for a $300 monthly car payment or shell out $200 or more on a new cell phone. When we borrow from a bank or a finance company, they expect to get paid back. What about when we borrow from our future?

Can you afford a $300 monthly payment towards your financial future. What about a one time payment of $300 instead of the latest XBox. Is such a thing worth it to you?

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