How 20 Questions Could Change Your Life and Maybe Your Finances

I was reading Oprah's O Magazine the other day (yes, I do read Oprah's magazine) and came across an article called "20 questions that could change your life" and found it to be thought provoking. Although, I do think the article was female driven and didn't see why these questions couldn't be applied to males as well, and perhaps question you could ask yourself when it comes to your finances. Here are the 20 questions and how I answered them:

1. What questions should I be asking myself? This is a question that should be asked frequently. It should be the top of your list because it it creates an alert, thoughtful mind state. If you are working to get out of debt, create your emergency fund, or start investing for retirement this should be the first question you ask.
2. Is this what I want to be doing? Are you doing exactly what you dream about doing? For me, I have so many interests and I try to touch each one of them. I love writing for Financial Elite and wish I could contribute more articles on a daily basis. I am also a comic book and memorabilia collector, which I write about as well and between the too it can be hard to balance. I love our family business just as much as writing and collecting. So, yes, I do like what I am doing, I just need to learn how to balance each of them. Sometimes I feel like you can only be master of one and you have to pick which one you want to be the master of.
3. Why worry? Things we worry about are only hypothetical events. So, why worry about them? I freaking out right now because I think we are going to owe a lot money on our taxes, but we have a great accountant and I know she will help us every way possible. Why should I worry until the taxes are actually complete? It's just taking away from the other joys in my life.
4. Why do I like {cupcakes} more than I like {people}? The likes and dislikes in the brackets can be changed to fit your circumstances.  Why do I like being debt free more than like being in  debt? Why? Because debt sucks. Debt leads to worry, but that leads me back to questions # 3. Maybe the questions need to be, Why do I like prosperity more than I like being debt free?
5. How do I want the world to be different because I lived in it? When answering this question you should be living by design, not by accident. I want to make people aware of the importance of financial knowledge. Hence, why I write this blog. In the end I would like to have been a financial authority like Suze Orman or Dave Ramsey.
6. How do I want to be different because I lived in this world? For this question make a list, make a vision board, make a promise. I would like to travel more and see how different cultures live and feel about life.
7. Are {Vegans} better people? The answer to this question should always be no. For instance, Are people who are debt free better than people who have debt?
8. What is my body telling me? Your body never lies. If it doesn't feel good, it probably isn't. Do what makes you feel happy. If you are not feeling well, try eating better and exercise maybe. I was having a lot of foot pain related to weight gain. I lost 13 pounds so far this year and the foot pain has gone away. 
9. How much junk could a chic chick chuck if a chic chick could chuck junk? We all could do without certain relationships, many of our possessions, and most of our thoughts. I begun some Spring cleaning and have sold stuff at a yard sale. Get rid of your clutter and make some money while you are at it.
10. What's so funny? My 1 year old daughter cracks up at almost everything and she gets me laughing right along with her. Find things and situations to laugh at. Toddlers tend to laugh on average of 400 times a day. While adults tend to laugh life an average of 15. Sounds like we all need to be Toy R Us kids and never grow up. Laugh damn it!
11. Where am I wrong? Ask where you are wrong rather than insist you are right. Everyone should learn about finance? Let me know if I am wrong.
12. What potential memories am I bartering, and is the profit worth the price? Don't choose social acceptance over your heart's desires, or financial gains over ethics, or your comfort zone over the adventure you were born to experience. I had a comic book themed costume party for my fortieth birthday that some felt was childish, but I didn't care. It was what I wanted to do and I did it. Don't give in to what people think a second thought. Do what makes you happy.
13. Am I the only one struggling not to {fart} during {yoga}? Are you ashamed that you are in debt or your house is being foreclosed on. Don't be. You are not the only one struggling in this economy right now, but there are things you can to do to help your situation. Start by getting educated on finance. 
14. What do I love to practice? Some believe that none of us are born with any talents, but we gain skills through practice. Lots of people become authorities at what they do, but in order to do that, you must love, not like, what you do. I'd love to be an authority like Suze Orman or Dave Ramsey. Am I there yet? Probably not, but if I keep working on it, I may just be one day.
15. Where could I work less and achieve more? You need to get creative with this one and find available resources to find more time in your life and life in your time. This is a big one for me and since I have so many interest, it's definitely one I need to master.
16. How can I keep myself absolutely safe? Doing what you long to do, despite fear, will help you accomplish this. You may notice this is a common theme among these questions. Think about what you long to do and like Nike says, "Just Do It!"
17. Where should I break the rules? You don't have to confirm to all of societies restraints. Live a little.
18. So say I lived in that fabulous house in Tuscany, with untold wealth, a gorgeous, adoring mate, and a full staff of servants...then what? Money isn't everything. Find what you love to do and follow your passions and your desires for riches will diminish. "A man who loves his job will never work a day in his life."
19. Are my thought hurting or healing? Your thoughts will endanger your happiness. Studies show that being grateful increases happiness. Be grateful for things you do have. For me, a loving wife, a healthy child, a roof over our head, food on the table are things that I am grateful for on a daily basis. If you have love and eat everyday, you are off to a good start.
20. Really truly: Is this what I want to be doing?  We asked this one already. So, ask it again. Follow your heart and your life and finances will change.       

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