I love summertime! Even feeling cruddy on a summer day doesn’t seem as bad as on a cold winter day.

With our first hot weekend arriving, we decided to use our entertainment money this month and scrape a little out of our groceries (eating Ramen noodles and hot dogs a little more this month will be worth it) we bought a 24 x12 ft swimming pool off  of Craigslist (got a great deal) for the kids this summer.

How exciting!

I will be honest however, I was a little disheartened when we picked it up and saw all the parts!  Really? Does a pool HAVE to have ALL those parts? Can’t we just fill ‘er  up and start playing?

When my very awesome husband and brother-in law started on the pool at 9am this morning, I thought great, by 10am we will be swimming away. Ah, but no it wasn’t so. After finding a tear in the tubing, finding missing gaskets, and missing covers (apparently these are important for keeping the water in) along with leveling the ground, buying a tarp, and ensuring all the pieces were put together, the pool started filling almost 6 hours later. Turns out, the thing will take 1-2 days to fill.

Isn’t that how most of us feel when it comes to managing our money? We say, what the heck, don’t worry about all those numbers in our account, lets just get spending and have some fun right now! Think I am kidding when I say most of us?  Sadly, I am not as 70% of Amercians are living paycheck to paycheck.

One of our  family’s financial keys to success in paying off ~$150,000 worth of debt has been learning how to be patient.

If one is making money fast, but only spending it faster, then what is the point? Learning how to become intentional on our spending has led us to great heights of becoming rich in not only our finances, but also in our personal transformation journey.

Turns out, being patient for our pool to be done was worth it too. We actually have a pool that doesn’t leak, one that doesn’t slope so that it only has a foot of water at one end, and one that will last us a while.

As an added bonus, we were surprised to find our kids having a blast with the pool taking so long. From the time the water starting filling to several hours later when it was up to their ankles, they played, laughed, and enjoyed themselves immensely. In a few days when they do finally get to swim, I know they will be much more appreciative as they will have been patient to see the process through.

My advice for those looking to Live Beyond Rich is to be patient, enjoy the journey of becoming free, and find some ways to splash some fun in your life by changing your perspective.

Live Beyond Awesome!

Jen McDonough

Motivational Storyteller, Live Beyond Awesome

Author, Living Beyond Awesome  & soon to be Living Beyond Rich (Due out in Summer 2012) – Look for us through Amazon or through our website.

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