Discomfort Produces Many Benefits and More Control

How are your decisions making other people happy and wealthy while you deserve the same? Find out why discomfort produces many benefits and more control.

Balancing act

It’s time, right now, to interrupt your comfort zone.

Why?

Because your current level of comfort may be costing you time and money. In addition, what’s been comfortable may not be right for your optimal level of quality. You want to accomplish all you can achieve at this stage of life.

Creating change is easier than you think. Of course, it’s uncomfortable even in the gradual steps you’ll take. However, what’s easy for you to keep doing and paying for is making other people rich.

Here is one example.

Healthcare switcheroo

My primary care physician sold his practice. I stayed with that practice during the transition because his assistant was a person I wished to continue seeing. Months later when she left the practice, I was grandfathered to another person, which was still okay because her method of dispensing healthcare was agreeable.

A few years later, the practice not only relocated without notifying me by mail, it also released my caregiver. Here’s an excerpt of my short conversation with the practice’s receptionist.

“I’m coming to the new location to see (caregiver’s name).”

“Oh, she’s no longer with us. You’ll be seeing (another physician).”

“What? Oh no I won’t. Cancel my appointment, and I’m no longer your patient.”

Would you accept this handling of your healthcare for the sake of comfort? Hopefully, you’ll make a wise decision no matter what your choice. The bottom line is this: other people ought not call the shots when your health is at stake.

It took some time, but I found the former assistant, now a doctor, at another practice. The facility is farther in travel distance than the first one, but I’m glad to have made the choice rather than allow someone else to decide who provides me with care.

Easy choices you can make

Here are three more areas where discomfort occurs that are necessary for you to control.

Cell phone plan
Does your chosen telecommunications company now offer a lower-cost plan for the same service? They won’t tell you; you have to call and ask. Last year I inquired and switched plans, saving $50 per month.

Automobile insurance
Every year, I call my car’s insurance carrier before the new rate takes effect. This is mandatory for me because the rate creeps up even though I am a safe driver. So far I’ve completed two procedures that lower the proposed yearly cost.

Prescriptions
Thankfully, I don’t order medicine, but my mom does. The supermarket where she filled prescriptions went out of business, and I was able to convince her to refill at a warehouse club rather than refilling at the drug store where the supermarket transferred her file. The savings are enormous and well worth the membership fee (which I pay).

There are similar areas in your life to review – groceries, heat, electricity, and cable television to name a few.

How discomfort produces many benefits and more control

This month, write down the bills you pay monthly and quarterly. That’s a good start.

Make one call every day to one of the companies, and ask if there is a better rate for the service you now receive. I’m not suggesting that you reduce services; I’m encouraging you to reduce your costs. That’s one way I received a low percentage on a business line of credit.

You will gradually reduce expenses if you commit to the process. Give yourself permission to put money back in your pocket.

You’re not alone in this mission. I reduced my bills last year, but as long as bills continue to arrive, I’m never done. Like you, I’ll be calling companies for new adjustments. I want my money for fun things like travel, which is always at the top of my list.

Which bill will you reduce first, and how comfortable will it be to enjoy your newfound money?