{"id":23064,"date":"2018-10-16T04:15:50","date_gmt":"2018-10-16T11:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=23064"},"modified":"2025-03-28T15:44:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T22:44:45","slug":"how-to-make-your-dreams-come-true-even-on-a-tight-budget-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id23064-how-to-make-your-dreams-come-true-even-on-a-tight-budget-2.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Your Dreams Come True — Even on a Tight Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Do you have a plan for the future? How about a set of goals? If you could do anything at all, what would it be?<\/p>\n

Many of us are so busy with day-to-day life that we don’t have time to think about what we really want<\/a> for the future. In fact, even if we do think about it, it can be a challenging and perplexing topic.<\/p>\n

Goals are important. For many people, their goal is simply to get through the day. But days become weeks, weeks become months, and months become years. Then, before you know it, you’ve achieved that one lousy goal of surviving, but you’ve missed the greater opportunity to live a life that’s exploding with passion.<\/p>\n

Are you currently doing what you want to do? Take a minute to honestly think about what you want to do, and where you want to go. Do you want a bigger paycheck, a high level management position, or a different career?<\/p>\n

I received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from a local state university and graduated with the highest honors. I spent four years of my life studying these sciences, while also figuring out what can you do with a biology degree. To that end, I also spent countless additional hours preparing for dental school. Although the majority of applicants don’t get accepted. I wrote essays, did the paperwork, and even spent an entire summer studying for the entrance exam.<\/p>\n

After getting accepted, I finished my first semester of dental school with straight A’s.<\/p>\n

Then I left.<\/p>\n

Never mind the five-digit debt that I borrowed for one measly semester. Never mind my five years of work. I left because I was miserable. I didn’t enjoy dentistry and stress was compounding some health issues I had.<\/p>\n

I eventually got married, started a thriving blog, started work at the university, and began a full-time PhD program in a field that I strongly care about — personal financial planning.<\/p>\n

We also bought a mobile home outright with cash, paid off $19,000 in debt, contributed to my wife’s 401(k), and maxed out our Roth IRA contributions<\/a>. We were able to do all of that through discipline, vision, and goal setting.<\/p>\n

What does the future hold? Honestly, I have no idea. But I do have goals.<\/p>\n

I want to be a wonderful husband who loves and cherishes his wife. I want to provide for her and enable her to pursue her goals.<\/p>\n

I want to own a medium-sized home and pay it off quickly<\/a>. I’d like to start at least one successful business, likely related to financial planning. Although technology is of interest as well.<\/p>\n

Financial freedom is a goal, and we intend to obtain that before the traditional retirement age, but it’s not an end game. I can’t stand the idea of being idle; I want to live a meaningful and intentional life.<\/p>\n

Whatever your goals, whatever your dreams, they’re likely attainable.<\/p>\n

I can’t believe where our life is today and how blessed we are. Here are some of the ways we found success:<\/p>\n