Burning Priorities: Save Your Livelihood from the Fire!

Most families have never been through the loss of their home due to a fire. There have been even fewer family’s which have had the opportunity to gather things to safety before a fire destroyed them. Have you ever contemplated what you would save if you could? Have you sat in the living room with your wife and pondered what you have that’s worth the risk of running into a fire? There are those among us who have had to do this very thing. They’ve received a knock on the door, faced with a fireman, and told they have only hours or minutes to clear out before their home and all its contents are consumed. In just minutes a man has to decide what truly is a priority and he places value on.

First Things

So let’s get the obvious answers out of the way. All life is rescued first! These include your family and yes even the family pets. Although I’m personally okay with leaving any pet snakes behind. Next for most people are irreplaceable family heirlooms; such as their great, great grandmother’s wedding ring; or maybe that old knife passed down to you from your grandfather.

However, when researching this topic I discovered a new item which is quickly rising to the top of the heap. People are saying more and more they would save their computer! Why? Because they’ve loaded images, documents, and contacts all onto a small portable device which makes their life easier.

Personal Fire

Fire is a great purifier. It forces Men to think quickly and puts our decisiveness to the test. What’s the “fire” in your life? What forces you to prioritize? In my personal life it was my mirror. I’ve even thought about decorating it with the kind of blazing flames you might see on the side of a great Harley-Davidson. The truth is most men won’t experience a literal fire to clarify priorities or force them into a decisive moment. The only “fire” most men will experience will come from the man starring at them in the mirror.

So let’s start by setting 5 key priorities in our quest for Financial Manhood. Let’s be decisive, time sensitive, and realize the fire is approaching our home. We have no time to waste!

Burning Priorities!

1. Legacy of a Man - Will written.
   • Notarized/Filed
2. Family Security - Life Insurance
   • Amount Needed: ________
3. Real Man Money Plan
   • Written Monthly Cash Plan
4. Financial Security - Real Man Emergency Fund.
   • 6 Months of Living Expenses
5. Children’s Future - College Plan/Fund.
   • Amount Needed: ________

The above list is a starting point, not a final destination. Imagine each one of these priorities is like holding a flame directly under your hand. Each moment the flame burns the pain of doing nothing intensifies. The only way to truly stop the burn is to extinguish the flame.

A Real Man with Money … Faces the Fire!

This article was written by Chuck Detwiler III, creator of Real Man Money. Chuck loves engaging with other Real Men about Money.

Photo by Peter Løvstrøm