You do not want to be one of those guys who does not take care of your finances because the world is one big vacuum waiting to suck up the careless, the person void of wisdom, and the person who does not plan well. In Proverbs chapter 27 verses 23, it says, be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds. It also says that riches are not forever, they get wings and fly away; ask anybody that has a “riches to rags” story.

Being diligent and careful to know the state of your flocks refers to knowing the state of your business. When I was younger, a mentor told me to “inspect what I expect.” I had to stay diligent in my business so that I could have the expectation that I wanted. In the old days, men did not have greenback dollars, they bartered, and so owning flocks and herds was a sign of riches. If you remember the patriarch Abraham, he was a very wealthy man, and the state of his flock was so grand that he and his nephew Lot had to separate their living arrangement for that.

Abraham kept the state of his flock and looked well to his herds. We have to keep well to our flock, which today can be our bank account and overall financial picture. Do you have enough to retire, do you have enough stored for any unseen emergencies, and are you prepared for great investment opportunities that come you way. I’ll never forget I had the grandest investment opportunity with a company that everyone knows about; but my finances were not in order and I could not invest. I ran the streets looking for friends to get in on the investment with me; and no one wanted to or were able and that is when I realized, taking care of your finances is super vital in our world today. So how do you do this if you are a beginner? First be real with yourself, don’t look at what your potential is in your business or where the next job you plan to apply for will take you. Simply look at where you are know; how much income net do your bring home? After that, tally up your debt. Now access your bills, hard bills, and soft bills; the difference are hard bills must be paid (lights, water, gas, electric, house, car note, insurances), while soft bills can take a pass (cable, movie monthly membership, gym, etc). This is what you want to do:

Once you get your check for the week or biweekly, you want to give back to the God who made things possible for you; if you do not believe in God, give 10% back to a charity of your choice. Then you want to pay yourself 10% minimum; then you should pay all of your monthly debt, hard bills, and soft bills, have an emergency fund, retirement, and investment account.

Trust me, I’m being very general here, and please seek a professional, I work with one of the best guys in the industry who is part of a great firm, you can send me an email to get his contact info. This is how you need to take care of your finances; being diligent, wise, and mindful in your affairs.

God bless and grace be unto you

Koko Ishe