Live Within Your Means: Make More Than You Spend

Many people, when they hear "live within your means," think of cutting back and reducing their lifestyle until they spend less than the make. They often do not think of the other side of the coin, make more than you spend. Many think of their income as fixed. They do not even consider that they can quickly and dramatically increase their income. In fact, most people reading this are probably already starting to think things along the lines of "well, he doesn't know what I do for a living" or "that may work for some but not in my case."

With a balance of spending less than you make and making more than you spend, you can dramatically increase the speed at which you reach your financial goals. Keep an open mind. Consider the possibility that you can increase your income.

There are two things to keep in mind when working towards increasing your income. First, most increases will not come immediately after the improvements have been made. Second, the improvements you make need to be in increasing your value to others. Give more than is asked. Add more value to those you serve. You will not see changes in your income right away, but you will see changes.

Henry Ford said, "if you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." You will not continuously add value to others unless you believe that it will eventually pay off. In order to help your thinking, your belief, I would suggest the following books. Each gives some aspect of adding value to others.

The Go-Getter
Winning Every Day
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Launching a Leadership Revolution
Personality Plus
Who Moved My Cheese?