According to a Career Builder survey, 61% of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck today. CNN reported that 40% of American households rely on credit cards to pay for basic living expenses. The number of Americans on food stamps grew 70% between 2007 and 2011, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture actually spent $3 million earlier this year to encourage even more people to sign up for the program.

What I’m trying to say here, is that you don’t have to look far to find people who are struggling financially. In fact, it may even be you.

You may have heard me talk about the 2 different populations we have in the world today – the 98% and 2%. 98% of the population will end up dead or dead broke by the age of 65, dependent on their friends, family, or the federal government as their main source of income. Only 2% is doing well financially.

So today, I want you to really think about and evaluate… Which population are you part of right now? Which population do you want to be part of?

Before you can cross over from 98% to 2%, you have to understand the difference in the two. Are you ready for this? It’s so simple… The difference in 98% and 2% is the way they think!

2%ers have a very different way of thinking about things. They know that the way they think determines what they do, and what they do determines how they live their lives.

You see, your financial future does not have to be the same as your financial past. The idea of ‘once broke, always broke’ does NOT apply to you!

There is a very simple way to turn your financial life around. But first, you have to realize that the financial life you have today is a result of beliefs you have had, choices you have made, and habits you have formed over the years. The good news is you don’t have to continue in those habits! You can form new habits!

So how do you go about forming those new habits? You start with what you have. Ancient wisdom tells us that if we are faithful with what we have, we will be given more.

But what exactly does that mean? It means you are making wise financial decisions and working diligently to increase your financial skills.

For example: Going grocery shopping when you still have food in your pantry or refrigerator – wise or foolish? Investing in War on Debt so you can begin to pay off your debt and form good financial habits – wise or foolish? Buying Christmas gifts for your neighbors and friends and teachers and co-workers and pets – wise or foolish? Getting yourself to First Steps to Success to learn how to make more money, annihilate your debt, get new economy skills, and discover how to live the life you’ve always wanted to live – wise or foolish? Stopping by Starbucks on your way to work in the morning – wise or foolish?

Do you see what I mean? And guess what… Once you begin to consciously make wise financial decisions, you are going to find that you have so much money lying around that you didn’t even know you had!

Here’s something else to watch out for: Money is always looking for a place to go. If you do not tell it where to go, it will get sucked up into all the wrong places. If you do not direct your money (into savings, wealth accounts, paying off debt, etc.), your feelings will tell you where to spend the money (hello Starbucks, department stores, Walmart…).

Right now I want you to think about where your money is going. You may even want to go grab your bank statement and some highlighters and really evaluate your spending habits. It may be uncomfortable and eye-opening, but I promise, it is necessary. If you do not know where the bleeding is coming from, you cannot stop it.

Remember that money is seed. Your seed is supposed to grow and multiply. If you are living paycheck-to-paycheck, you are eating all your seed and you will have nothing left to plant and grow.

Here’s the thing about wealth: It’s not about how much you make. It’s about how much you keep. 98%ers have nothing left at the end of the month, but 2%ers know where to plant their seed to get the best possible outcome.

I’ll leave you with this…

What is your financial goal? Where would you like to be in 5 years? 10 years? 50 years? What about your kids – what kind of financial habits would you like to teach your kids?

So what is your plan? How will you do it? What are you doing today to accomplish your goal?

A goal without a plan goes nowhere. Wanting to be debt-free or wanting to give more or save more or invest more is great. But without a plan, you will not get out of debt. Without a plan, you will not give more, save more, or invest more.

You have to figure out where you want to be (be specific!), make a plan, and take action.

My friend, nothing can replace the feeling of financial freedom. Nothing can compare to the feeling of knowing that you owe nothing to anyone.

I turned my financial life around. Tens of thousands of our clients from all over the world have turned their financial lives around. Now it’s your turn!

In great faith,