The Pressure shall be with us — at all times.
Over quite a few motion pictures and diverse iterations, “Star Wars” has taught us about overcoming obstacles, about coping with household drama, about friendship, about endurance, about beating the percentages — and even about cash.
As a result of that is The PNW, we’re particularly within the half about cash.
Regardless that the epic saga of Luke Skywalker & Co. performed out a very long time in the past in a galaxy far, far-off, the monetary knowledge applies to the right here and now.
Put together to make the leap into hyperspace! Right here’s what we’ve realized:
1. All the time Pay Your Money owed — Or Else
Bingo. That is at all times the primary one everybody thinks of.
Han Solo owes cash to the large slug-like crime boss, Jabba the Hutt. When he doesn’t pay up, Jabba sends bounty hunter Boba Fett after him — mainly a debt collector with blaster pistols and inexperienced Mandalorian armor.
As a substitute of declaring chapter, Han finally ends up frozen in carbonite. Then Princess Leia, Luke, Lando and the long-lasting droids should infiltrate Jabba’s lair to avoid wasting him in a sequel.
Similar to with Solo, the longer you don’t repay your money owed, the larger the issue will get. The curiosity piles up.
Bank cards firms cost compound curiosity. If you happen to don’t repay your invoice every month, the corporate prices curiosity that’s added to the quantity you owe. Then that new complete is charged curiosity.
Your first step must be to determine what you’re coping with. Map out precisely what sort of debt you could have. For instance, which firms do you owe cash to? Are any of your money owed in collections? What are your minimal month-to-month funds on every bank card or mortgage? Are you able to ask for forbearance?
If you happen to simply can’t appear to chip away on the debt, cease your poor spending habits or elevate your credit score rating, think about asking for assist from a monetary counselor.
2. Used Automobiles Provide the Greatest Worth
The Millennium Falcon takes its share of verbal abuse.
“You got here in that factor? You’re braver than I believed,” Princess Leia says upon first seeing the starship. In “The Pressure Awakens,” Rey calls the ship “rubbish.”
However the Millennium Falcon will get the job accomplished. (Did we point out that it made the Kessel Run in lower than 12 parsecs?) Seems you don’t at all times want a shiny new automobile.
Used automobiles are sometimes a greater deal than new ones, however you should use this automotive comparability spreadsheet that can assist you get the very best deal.
3. Negotiate the Greatest Deal You Can
Early in “A New Hope,” Luke and Uncle Owen cut price with some creepy little jawas over the worth of some used droids.
When an R2 unit they’d simply purchased instantly breaks down, Uncle Owen aggressively questions the standard of what the jawas are promoting: “Hey, what are you making an attempt to push on us?”
The outcome: Luke’s household will get the very best droid ever, R2-D2.
Haggling isn’t only for markets and automobiles; you must also negotiate your wage — listed here are some tricks to get the very best provide.
4. “Do or Do Not. There may be No Strive.”
Yoda’s admonition to Luke in “The Empire Strikes Again” might be the most important zen second in any of those motion pictures.
As at all times, Yoda is true on the right track. You’re both going to do it, otherwise you’re not. Don’t simply attempt.
If you happen to’re going to make monetary adjustments, decide to them and be constant. Don’t simply attempt a few times after which neglect about it. Sticking to it’s the key to success.
We perceive — it may be powerful to keep away from the temptation to spend “just a bit” cash to deal with your self, particularly for those who’re feeling pressured, overworked and exhausted. However these impulse buys can actually eat into your financial savings or wreck your efforts to repay bank card debt.
5. Don’t Let the Little Particulars Blow Up On You
The Empire spared no expense on the Demise Star, don’t you suppose?
However they ignored that pesky little design flaw that allowed the Insurgent Alliance to destroy the entire thing. Whoops!
Don’t neglect the main points like that, as a result of they’ll burn you. Don’t skimp on upkeep and repairs for big-ticket gadgets like your private home and automotive. If you happen to blow that stuff off, you’ll simply find yourself paying extra in the long run.
Take a look at the following pointers for budgeting for residence enhancements that can assist you keep away from sinking into debt for that subsequent restore. You may also keep your wheels by determining how a lot to funds for automotive repairs.
6. Get Rid of Your Previous Stuff
The “Star Wars” universe seems totally different from Star Trek and different sci-fi settings. “Star Wars” has that “lived-in” look — there’s junk all over the place. You already know, similar to your home.
And within the “Star Wars” motion pictures, individuals earn cash promoting that junk — similar to you must.
In “The Pressure Awakens,” Rey is a scavenger on the planet Jakku, feeding herself by salvaging elements from ships. On Luke’s residence planet of Tatooine, these jawas look like scavengers, too.
When you’ve got gadgets you’d be keen to half with and also you don’t need to spend any cash for stuff you want, think about these methods to barter.
In “The Phantom Menace” — hey, right here’s our first and solely point out of the prequels! — Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi meet younger Anakin Skywalker in a junk store the place he fixes issues.
In the meantime, right here on our planet, plenty of apps make it simpler than ever to promote your outdated stuff on-line.
To unlock house and earn some additional money, use apps to promote your stuff. Itemizing the suitable stuff in the suitable marketplaces means you’re extra prone to promote it for the suitable worth.
7. Watch out for Scams. Know What Issues Are Price.
Towards the start of “The Pressure Awakens,” a hungry Rey almost pawns the droid BB-8 in change for 60 parts of inflatable meals. She’s sorely tempted, however she senses one thing is incorrect and backs off.
That’s the surest strategy to spot a rip-off: If a deal seems too good to be true, it in all probability is.
Whether or not you’re promoting a droid or purchasing for footwear on-line, you’ve received to be careful for rip-offs. Right here’s the right way to shield your self from work-from-home scams, pupil mortgage forgiveness scams and id theft.
Don’t depart your self weak to hackers. Keep away from these dangerous password habits to assist guarantee your on-line safety.
8. Embrace the Gig Economic system
When Luke and Obi-Wan want transportation to Alderaan, they mainly catch an Uber. An area Uber. They pay for the Millennium Falcon to take them there.
Right here on Earth, you can also make like Han and Chewie in your Honda or Chevy by delivering groceries, takeout and packages.
9. Sand Folks All the time Stroll in Single File to Conceal Their Numbers
You see, from this we are able to be taught that … no, no, wait. That’s not a superb instance in any respect. We be taught no monetary truths from that.
We’ve received nothing for you right here.
10. Make Certain You Have a Lengthy-Time period Plan
The heroes and villains of the “Star Wars” universe are severely into some long-term planning.
Emperor Palpatine’s grasp plan takes a number of motion pictures to unfold. After he reveals himself to be Darth Sidious and strikes, Yoda and Obi-Wan lay low for a few many years, ready for his or her likelihood to return the favor.
After all, once we first meet Obi-Wan and Yoda, they’re chilling in a cave and a swamp, respectively. Apparently the Jedi Council didn’t have a lot of a 401(okay) match.
The earlier you begin saving, investing and paying down your debt, the higher off you’ll be.
All advised, that’s every part that “Star Wars” has taught us about cash thus far. Take it as you’ll.
Do, or don’t.
There is no such thing as a attempt.
Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior author at The PNW. His “Star Wars”-loving co-workers helped out with this publish.