A lot of people, when moving to another state because of a job relocation or a better business opportunity, feel that they are leaving behind the reason why they work so hard, namely; their family.
But wait for a second! Family is not really the reason why we all work so hard and strive to generate more income to satisfy our needs, but the bills generated by our family’s expenses. Well, in the end, both are closely related, aren’t they?
Furthermore, is not the same to leave a family with grown children, perhaps at age 14 or so, than to leave children in their early years, less than 8 years old. Moreover, if they used to welcome you every day when returning from work and, maybe, you managed your time to help them with their duties at school. All of these only complicate your ability to make a decision to leave your family to go after a better financial opportunity. If you are doing well and debts are manageable where you are currently, then I would encourage you to read the following story before pushing your decision further:
An American investment banker was taking a much-needed vacation in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. The boat had several large, fresh fish in it.
The investment banker was impressed by the quality of the fish and asked the Mexican how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”
The banker then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican fisherman replied he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman replied, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos: I have a full and busy life, señor.”
The investment banker scoffed, “I am an Ivy League MBA, and I could help you. You could spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats until eventually you would have a whole fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to the middleman you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You could control the product, processing and distribution.”
Then he added, “Of course, you would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City where you would run your growing enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But señor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”
“But what then?” asked the Mexican.
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You could make millions.”
“Millions, señor? Then what?”
To which the investment banker replied, “Then you would retire. You could move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
The financial mentor
I love this simple parable.
It brings clarity to what the money game is all about… and definitely not about.
It brilliantly illustrates the illusions we so easily fall into when pursuing wealth and financial freedom. It’s far too easy to build incessantly and forget the end game is happiness and fulfilling life.
The above parable brilliantly illustrates the illusions we so easily fall into when pursuing wealth and financial freedom. It’s far too easy to build incessantly and forget the end game is happiness and fulfilling life.
I’m Sorry, But I Still Need to Move…
So here are some questions for you to ponder as you decide to move to another state and plan for financial freedom:
- What does financial freedom mean to you? How will it change your life?
- What do you really need to be happy and fulfilled?
- How much money do you need to live a “good life” with your family?
- Would a simpler life allow you to have financial freedom sooner?
- What’s the price you pay for simplicity? Complexity?
- If you died tomorrow, what unfulfilled dreams would you regret having never lived?
- What’s keeping you from living those dreams today?
Believe it or not, these questions and many more like them are part of a well-thought decision in case you need to move to another state to pursue financial freedom for you and your family.
If you liked this quick read, please share it with others who find themselves in the same situation or in your social circles to help others make a better decision.
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