I hear a lot people complain about their financial situation. They don’t have enough money, can’t make ends meet, never have anything left over at the end of the month, or are swamped with bills and credit card payments. This is unfortunately a fairly typical scenario, but what bothers me the most when I hear people complain about it is the lack of effort to proactively make changes and the unwillingness to realize that it’s their responsibility.

Too often we blame our problems on external entities instead of taking issue with ourselves which is where the problems actually reside. If you’ve ever heard anyone complain about the fees and interest rates that credit card companies charge, you’ve experienced what I’m talking about first hand. Who made these people go out and buy things with their credit cards? I assure you no one forced their hand. But apparently their financial problems would be solved if the interest rates weren’t as high (sarcasm intended).

Another common problem that we hear about today is the whole mortgage dilemma where people are “suddenly” unable to afford their payment because their one time low teaser rate is now adjusting upwards. Again, no one forced them to take out such a mortgage. While it is true that the mortgage company may qualify you for an outrageous amount, who’s decision is it really to actually sign the papers and accept such a loan amount? If you’re caught in this situation and truly were unaware of it, realize that complaining about it isn’t going to solve the problem. It’s your responsibility to figure out a proactive solution.

Realize also that you may have to make some sacrifices in your life in order to bring your finances in order. It’s a harsh reality that if you’re spending everything you earn, you can only make progress by earning more or by spending less. Ask yourself if cable TV is necessary. Do you really need to hire someone to cut your lawn or can you do it yourself? If you bought more house than you realistically can afford, you might seriously think about moving into a more reasonable situation.

Hopefully what you’ve gotten from this article is that no one else but you is responsible for your financial situation. Complaining will not solve your problems, but seeking proactive solutions will. The sooner you accept this as your reality, the sooner your situation will improve.

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