Here we go again

“The Ontario government expects to post an $11.3 billion deficit (1.6% of GDP) in fiscal 2013-14, slightly lower than the $11.7 billion shortfall projected in last year’s budget.The government has raised its near-term deficit targets. Red ink of $12.5 and $8.9 billion are anticipated over the next two years, respectively, some $1.5-$2.5 billion higher than shown a year ago.”

I know this only tells a small part of the complicated “recipe” that makes up how Ontario plans to spend our tax dollars in the next years BUT from any angle that this budget is examined the bottom line is this: the government is planning to spend 12.5 Billion dollars in the next year and 8.9 Billion in 2015 that they do not have. Somehow the expectation is for us to believe that this plan will lead to a balanced budget by fiscal 2017-18. I for one fail to see much in the way of a plan, it is more like a song “oh the sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be … “ CASH – somehow and some way.

Now I can get all bent out of shape about the ridiculousness of the whole situation and I am a bit “bent” OR I can rant about what to do. I prefer to be action oriented. Ghandi once said “ BE the change you want to see” so here is my response to the 2014 Ontario budget in 3 steps.

  1. Do not look to your elected leaders for example of how to live but do look to the Word of God
  2. Spend less than you make every month. I know sounds simple – it is not! It takes awareness, work, discipline, and learning.
  3. Get creative – if spending less is your solution then enjoy the creativity of finding deals and saving $. If making money is your solution then do what you are created for and passionate about, then figure out how to get paid to do it !

I know my tendency is to play the victim here BUT WE ARE NOT VICTIMS – WE ARE VICTORS.   So let’s start thinking about how we can change our financial world to one that is cash flow positive, and then be able to help someone (maybe even our neighbour) just because we can.