Gbesenomics is a term I coined from two words, “Gbese” which
is the Yoruba word for debt and “economics,” the study pertaining to the
production, distribution, and use of income and wealth. Thus gbesenomics can be
said to be the science of using debt to produce income and wealth.
I make bold to declare to you today that one cannot become
extremely wealthy and successful financially without debt. In all my years of
studying the success patterns of billionaires I have discovered that not one
was able to invest in substantial business opportunities or to expand their
businesses without debt. They are avid students of gbesenomics and have built
great fortunes using it.
Sadly those living in poverty and lack, may also be in debt but they have been unable to harness
it to good use in their financial lives. There is a science to it. Here are ten
key facts you should know about debt.
Firstly, debt is not a bad thing. What makes debt bad is
when you get involved for the wrong reasons. For instance getting into debt to
buy clothing for family events and investing in other frivolities is wrong.
However there is nothing bad about getting into debt to purchase an asset that
will yield more for you or appreciate, such as land. The major issue is what
you are investing in. In fact debt is the rich man’s best friend for he uses it
to attain his goals.
Secondly, endeavor to first try to raise debt financing from your loved ones. This is because they may not charge you any interest on the loans they are providing. The key thing is to be on the lookout for the most favorable terms you can find. Let the financial institution be your last resort if you can’t help it.
It is also important to consider thoroughly what you want to
invest the debt finance into before you take the plunge and carry debt. The
business idea or opportunity you want to invest in must have favorable terms
that allow you to invest and gather enough returns to pay the loan and
interest, and still provide you with a neat profit sometime in the future. For
example if you have an LPO to supply diesel and you are sure of getting paid no
more than 30 days after supply and stocks are readily available, nothing stops
you from seeking for debt to fund the supply and repaying quickly thus reducing
the effect of interest.
Fourthly, it pays to seek to liquidate your debts as quickly
as possible. Once the returns begin to arrive pay off your debts first and then
pay yourself last. This method will help reduce the impact of interest on your
debts as you will be paying back earlier than expected. Nothing builds your
credit rating and credibility when you pay your debt obligations even before
when due.
Seek to balance the amount of debt you are carrying. Don’t
just keep amassing more debt just because you have the capacity or the
opportunity to do so. A finance guru once said it is easy to borrow, but
difficult when it’s time to pay back. Strike a balance.
Sixth, take the debt options as a last resort, especially
after having considered other options that are available. For example can you
bring in partners who would fund the venture and share in the gains? Try to
explore other options first before considering debt and be very sure of the
potentials in your idea.
Seventh, debt is a good example of leverage at work. You may
not have the resources for the investment or venture but with debt you are able
to use other people’s money to fund it. Some of the world’s richest people are
becoming wealthier using leverage to build stupendous fortune. They use their
clout, reputation and image to secure facilities with favorable interest rates
and repayment cycles. This is then invested and the returns used to finance the
debt. In some of these deals not one penny of their own funds is involved.
It is also important to understand that every entity has at
one time of the other owed. Individuals, corporations and even governments all
make use of debt to finance certain worthy plans and objectives they are
desirous of achieving.
Ninth, scrutinize thoroughly the terms and conditions on
which a loan is been organized for you. Let the these be part of the factors
that you carefully considered before taking the funding. Take care to read and
study the accompanying documents and ask questions regarding what you do not
understand. This way you have a perfect understanding of what you are
committing yourself into. Don’t rush to commit yourself into anything; it even
pays to get a second opinion where possible.
Finally the banks and other financial institutions are set
up to provide loans and debt financing. Make it a point of duty to understand
what products and services that could be of use to you. Don’t forget to shop
around and compare terms and pick the option with the best favourable options
for you. There is so much competition when it comes to giving loans to worthy individuals
among banks today. Many banks are on the lookout for quality people to provide
loans to..
The onus is now on you to become a specialist in gbesenomics
in order to join the league of the really wealthy.Debt
leads to wealth!
Great article. Thanks Kenneth!
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