Will this straight road continue forever in the same direction? No one would say yes to that question and yet, many people might think, “Since mutual fund XYZ has returned 16 percent annually over the last five years, I’ll use those numbers to plan my finances over the next 10 years.” Or “My boss ALWAYS overlooks my accomplishments.” Or “I just can’t help it. When I go to the mall I just have to buy something.” They think the road never turns, that things will always stay the same. That’s a tragic mistake called “linear thinking” and it believes nothing will ever change.

A straight road never stays straight.

YOU can change your personal financial situation but YOU have to change it. No one else is going to change it and you’re not going to win the lottery.

Here are 7 things you can do next week to improve your finances, changing them (and yourself) for the better:

1. Go to What’s The Cost? ^[2] and calculate exactly how long it will take to get yourself out of debt…then take action by building good habits ^[3] and paying off that debt.