Oprah’s LifeClass may have culminated a few weeks ago, but there are still financial lessons to be learned from the mogul’s 5 week show. Lessons from week 1 mentioned the false power of ego and the truth will set you free, and lessons from week 2 included aging beautifully and taking responsibility for your own life. Here are the lessons from week 3:
Lesson 11: Your Life Speaks to You in a Whisper
Have you ever heard something in the back of your mind telling you to do or not to do something? Some call it your conscience. Some say it’s a spirit. Regardless, your life speaks to you in a whisper. It’s time to listen to it. Think about when you made an unnecessary purchase that you ended up regretting later. When you think back, didn’t you hear that whisper? Didn’t you hear “you don’t really need that”, but you didn’t listen. Start listening to that voice and really put it into consideration. Think about purchases before you drop dollars or your plastic on it.
Lesson 12: Holding On to the Past
Have you made financial mistakes in the past? Have you held on to it, and beat yourself up about it? Now’s the time to stop. We’ve all made mistakes, and even though we’re personal finance bloggers, we’ve made them to. We’ve gotten into debt, we’ve went over budget, we’ve failed to save. It’s not about what we didn’t do in the past; it’s about what you plan on doing in the future. Make a plan now and take action. Looking backwards isn’t going to change your future. If you didn’t care about debt and savings before, today’s the perfect day to begin.
Lesson 13: When People Show You Who They Are, Believe Them
People fall victims to scams everyday, which is sad and unfortunate. While many were blindsided, there are some people who didn’t take the necessary precautions even though the signs were there. Scams can leave you in a bad financial situation, like taking your money and ruining your credit. Check the signs of a scam before entrusting someone else with your money. Are they certified? Have you checked out their ratings and reviews? Are you getting bad vibes from them or are they pressuring you to make decisions you don’t feel comfortable with? If you get any red flags along the way, you should listen to them and follow your instincts.
Lesson 14: What Animals Can Teach Us
I got a puppy back in June, and I didn’t exactly know how much it cost to take care of him. I knew he needed food, water, and a place to sleep, but I was met with some unexpected expenses too, like medicine and shots. I learned quickly how much a puppy cost, and it made me a lot wiser in my finances. I only bought the necessities for my dog as opposed to luxury splurges, and I figured I could do the same in my personal finances. Amazing how much an animal can teach you things that were so obvious the whole time.
Lesson 15: Joy Rising – Australia
Oprah took her viewers on a surprise trip to Australia during her 25th season. This obviously ignited joy throughout the entire studio. Planning a huge trip like that was probably a huge task with an even huger price tag. However, you can travel on a budget and still enjoy yourself. First, figure out where you want to go, when you want to travel, and how long you need to stay. Do price comparisons for accommodations like transportation, hotel stays, dining and entertainment. Look for great deals, and be flexible. It’s not as expensive as you may think as long as you put a lot of effort into planning and preparation.
Hopefully you’re learning some awesome life lessons and financial lessons from Oprah’s Lifeclass. We have 2 more weeks to go!
Briana Myricks is a 20 something freelance writer and blogger. Striving for financial independence as a newlywed, she blogs about young married life at 20 and Engaged.