Pauline E. Ranger How to Power-level Your Finances
In my quest for financial independence (or FI, as the ever-growing community of enthusiasts affectionately calls it), I recently pledged to eliminate most games from my life. The horror! Please understand that I am not recommending you to do the same. Just something I felt compelled by.
As I approach 40, I must make up for lost time. I calculated the hours I spent playing video games, from my childhood, when I played until the early morning hours at a friend’s house, to today, when I still play, but less often.
According to conservative estimates, I have spent 6400 hours with a game controller in my hands. According to my traditional, low-end math, I have spent 266 days playing video games. If you subtract 8 hours of sleep daily, that’s 400 days. It’s more realistic to say 400 days because rest is inevitable. Others will shrug off the figure, knowing many others spend much more time gaming.
It’s all about time management and the long-term benefits for me. I don’t think I can reach my financial independence goal through entertainment. After playing a game, I don’t feel motivated to do much other than finish it.
Positive Effects of Gaming on My Life
I enjoyed creating and leveling up characters. It was always a great feeling to turn a virtual character into an international powerhouse, no matter what genre.
I used to finish video games I bought, sometimes even 100%. You’re probably familiar with the modern world of gaming. I was a trophy hunter, and I always ensured I got it, even if it meant multiple attempts or having to start over.
The social aspect of games was also enjoyable. I liked being challenged or working with others to achieve a common goal. Some of the interactions were genuinely enjoyable. Years ago, my wife and I were in the same gaming group. They communicate, and they send each other gifts and Christmas cards. As I write this, my friend has just texted me to say that it is freezing today in Illinois, twenty below zero.
The Next Chapter
Here’s how I keep the fun elements of gaming while working towards financial independence. If you are a gamer and find that the time is not there to play and build wealth, adding these strategies to your strategy can help motivate and increase the fun factor.
Pac-man can be a metaphor for consuming debt.
Vanquishing the Enemy (Debts, Bad Habits, and Mindset)
You must complete a test or proving ground before starting the game. This is to ensure that you can continue. This will be the biggest challenge for most. If you can defeat the enemy, you can be confident that you have already overcome your most significant challenge. This is often our behavior and the mess we’ve made.
Leveling up (Savings and Investments)
Growth is the key to leveling up. The real fun begins after you have defeated the enemy. Here, patience and perseverance are key. Here, you can refine your skills and improve your efforts. You’ll have to improve your financial security because the goal isn’t to eliminate debt but to increase your net worth.
This game is never-ending, which makes it a lot of fun. The game has an infinite number of levels, and you are the one who sets the benchmarks.
You can level up by doing this: Swap it out if one is knocked off before the next. You can uncheck a box if you make a mistake. The more efficient you can be, the better. There are no limits to the number of restarts you can make.
The Game: Leveling up Your Finances
Level One: Stop doing with money (insert any bad habits here).
Save $500 with Level Two
Level Three: Pay off your first credit card
Level Four: Pay Off Second Credit Card
You can continue to play the game until you reach level five. This game allows you to create your stories. Be as creative and specific as you like.
I like to start with habits as if you do not break a bad habit, it will likely return and hinder your goals.
Working with Guild Resources (FI Community) To Achieve The Goal
Collecting resources throughout your journey, such as reading authoritative books and engaging in community interaction, is essential. You can learn and connect with amazing bloggers and experts in financial independence. Think of them as your friends who are always there to support you. They want to know about you and your experiences because, collectively, they will be stronger if you do.
Earn Those Trophies
Staying engaged is easy when you are actively involved in your community. They will increase your chances of achieving your goals. Add them to your leveling-up list to help you earn those hard-to-get trophies that are unnecessary to finish the game. You can now add your achievements to the list.
Level One: Stop doing with money (insert any bad habits here).
Save $500 with Level Two.
SocialFIzed – Trophy for connecting to and introducing yourself to the FI Community
Fix It!- A trophy earned for overcoming bad financial practice. (It can be made multiple times!)
Pay off your first credit card.
UnFIltered- Trophies earned for starting a blog and making your voice heard!
Level Four: Pay Off Second Credit Card
Librarian!- Awarded for reading three books on personal finance.
Use the examples provided or come up with your own! The game continues until you reach your target. It could give you extra motivation early on!
Money Fit Academy and the Financial Independence Community are great places to find trophy material. Interacting is always beneficial!
