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Remember the A-Team? That was an American TV series from the 1980s about a fictional group of ex–United States Army Special Forces personnel who worked as soldiers of fortune, while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a “crime they didn’t commit”.
I don’t know about you, but the series was “must-see TV” for me. During that time I was in college in Puerto Rico sharing a house with 4 other guys.
“The A-Team” aired every Wednesday at 6:00 PM and we all worked our schedules to be at home and have dinner ready in time to see Hannibal, Face, B.A. Baracus, and Murdoch come to the aid and rescue of those who could not rescue themselves.
I believe we all could use the help from the “A-Team” with the management of our finances. Here is why you and I need these 4 commandos on our side to rescue our finances:
The Face: Templeton “Faceman” Peck
The “Faceman” (or “Face”) was the smooth-talking con man who served as the team’s appropriator of vehicles and other useful items, as well as the team’s second-in-command. He could basically pass himself as virtually anyone.
In order to change the destiny of your finances, you might need to change who you are in some aspects. For example, you might consider yourself useless and easily bored with the details of finances. Reviewing a budget spreadsheet is a good remedy for your insomnia.
But in order to win with money you need to get involved with how you plan to spend it. You don’t have to become a financial wizard but you need at least to know the basics.
Or you might be the free-spender who lives for the pleasure of today and worries about the consequences later. You may have to change into a person which actually is patient and saves to buy what they want. That person can actually distinguish between “wants” and “needs”.
Will you decide to change and adapt your “face” for the good of your family?
The Muscle: B.A. Baracus
B.A. was the team’s strong man and mechanic. Whenever the team ran into some tough customers, B.A. led the fight. When something big needed to be pushed or a vehicle needed to be rigged, Baracus was your man.
In your finances, the muscle comes from having a working monthly budget. Your budget provides your income the strength it needs so you can meet your obligations, save money, and get out of debt. When your budget works, you learn to live on less than you make so your money can do more for you and your family.
Are you ready to apply some muscle to your money?
The Crazy: H.M. (“Howling Mad”) Murdock
Murdock was the team’s pilot and also the resident crazy member of the team. Most of the time, they had to extract him from a mental institution before they could complete their next mission. The team always could use Murdock to try some of the most impossible stunts. He was a great pilot, but crazy enough to try the unorthodox.
Your finances need a little bit of a crazy touch. You could go crazy and have a garage sale this weekend to sell anything that’s really not needed to finish your beginner’s emergency fund. You could become obsessed with e-Bay and Craigslist and sell everything but the children in order to get out of debt.
Or you could go even more insane and cut the cable bill or eating out expenses until you get on a firm foundation with your money. It might sound crazy to you and your friends but guess what: you don’t need credit cards to survive.
How crazy are you willing to get in order to win with money?
The Mastermind: John “Hannibal” Smith
The leader of the team was Lieutenant Colonel/Colonel “Hannibal” Smith. Regardless of the situation, Hannibal had a plan and he always had the confidence that it was going to work. His team did not always understand all the pieces of the plan but they trusted him. His catch phrase was: “I love it when a plan comes together”.
You need to have a plan for your money that will bring financial wellness to you and your family. How are going to get out of debt? When could we buy a house? How are we going to pay for college? How are going to live in our retirement years? What kind of insurance do we need? What’s our estate plan?
Your plan has to be adjusted to your personal needs and reality. But you do need a plan or otherwise you won’t be able to achieve your goals. Work with your spouse to develop your plan. If you are single, seek some wise counsel to layout your goals and how you will achieve them.
Start putting your plan together today so you can quote Hannibal and love when it all comes together.
Which member of the “A-Team” do you need the most on your finances today? Leave a comment and let me know!
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This post is also available in: Spanish
