• 6-Point Saturday
  • Posts
  • 3 Powerful Steps for Financial Success, The Home-Buying Challenge, the Power of Our Words, and More

3 Powerful Steps for Financial Success, The Home-Buying Challenge, the Power of Our Words, and More

Jocko: "There's going to be some high points. There's going to be some low points..."

Author

Benjamin Daniel, CFP®
August 23, 2025

Read Time: 4-minutes

Happy Saturday,

Here is this week’s edition of 6-Point Saturday — financial insights to help you make smarter money decisions.

Table of Contents*

*Clickable in the online version. 

Point #1 — The Obstacle is the Way

“There is an old Zen story about a king whose people had grown soft and entitled. Dissatisfied with this state of affairs, he hoped to teach them a lesson.

His plan was simple: He would place a large boulder in the middle of the main road, completely blocking entry into the city. He would then hide nearby and observe their reactions.

How would they respond? Would they band together to remove it? Or would they get discouraged, quit, and return home?

With growing disappointment, the king watched as subject after subject came to this impediment and turned away. Or, at best, tried halfheartedly before giving up.

Many openly complained or cursed the king or fortune or bemoaned the inconvenience, but none managed to do anything about it.

After several days, a lone peasant came along on his way into town. He did not turn away. Instead he strained and strained, trying to push it out of the way. Then an idea came to him: He scrambled into the nearby woods to find something he could use for leverage.

Finally, he returned with a large branch he had crafted into a lever and deployed it to dislodge the massive rock from the road.

Beneath the rock were a purse of gold coins and a note from the king, which said:

‘The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.’”

What a reframe.

Rather than viewing obstacles as annoying or painful roadblocks, the king reminds us that everything that stands in our way can become an opportunity. The path to levelling up in life.

Whatever financial obstacle(s) you face today:

  • Paying off debt

  • Finding a better job

  • Saving for upcoming goals

  • Building a healthy emergency fund

…can be viewed the same way.

It simply takes a different, 3-step approach. One we’ll explore in the next Point…

Point #2 — The 3-Step Formula for Success

The difference between the peasant and the rest of the people is pretty striking.

Rather than give up, he “strained,” then adjusted, eventually found a way—and was ultimately rewarded.

There’s a formula in this sequence of actions.

Step 1: Mindset. First, the story says he “did not turn away.” He resolved to overcome the problem. Most challenges you’ve overcome probably started the same way—with a change in attitude, a renewed mindset.

Step 2: Resourcefulness. With a new perspective, the next step is to devise a plan. That means looking at what’s worked in the past, consulting experts, and considering threats to success.

Step 3: Persistence. Even with the best plan, few things in life are guaranteed to work. The peasant first “strained and strained,” trying to push the boulder. It wasn’t the best initial strategy—but he didn’t give up. He adjusted and kept going until he found leverage.

Similarly, paying off debt rarely works perfectly the first time. Budgets slip. Emergencies hit. Persistence means adjusting and continuing until you succeed.

That’s the formula: Mindset. Resourcefulness. Persistence.

Whatever financial opportunity you’re facing today, think back on all you’ve overcome. Chances are, you followed a version of this same formula. Let that be proof of your resilience. Proof of the strategy.

Because every “obstacle” provides an opportunity and a reward for improving your condition. Both financially and in your improved ability to leverage challenges down the road.

Point #3 — The Home-Buying Challenge

One of the biggest financial challenges many face today is the decision whether to buy a home. According to a recent Redfin report:

“A household on the median income would need to spend 39% of their earnings on housing to buy the median priced home…While only about one-third (34.6%) of home listings are affordable for the typical U.S. household, that’s up slightly from 33.2% a year ago.”

A reasonable rule of thumb is to spend around 28% of your gross (before tax) pay on housing…

So buying a home today looks out of reach for many.

But how can we turn this challenging circumstance into opportunity?

First, it may help to know that real estate returns have historically been just above inflation, while stocks have performed much better.

So, if you’re looking to purchase a home primarily as an investment, there are probably better options.

As far as strategy, you could continue renting and investing the difference between your rent and what you would be paying toward a mortgage.

Then, after some combination of increasing your down payment, lower interest rates, and stronger cash flow, you’ll be better positioned to buy a new home.

Or, if you’re considering relocating, you might explore these 11 cities where affordability is improving:

So, instead of drifting into feeling down on your luck, you’re putting yourself into a smarter and stronger position.

Point #4 — The Power of Our Words

Stuck on a tough problem?

Most people ask: “What should I do?”

That’s the wrong question.

Try: “What could I do?”

Why it works: → “Should” narrows options → “Could” expands them

“Could” encourages possibility. “Should” creates pressure.

Use “could.” It opens doors.

Want more discipline?

Don’t say “I can’t eat dessert.” Say “I don’t eat dessert.”

“Can’t” feels like punishment. “Don’t” feels like identity.

This one-word tweak makes self-control part of who you are, not something you force.

Want to feel more motivated?

Most of us think: “I have to work out.” “I have to pitch this idea.”

Try: “I get to work out.” “I get to pitch this idea.”

It reframes the task from obligation to opportunity.

Small tweak. Huge psychological upgrade.

Summary of 3 powerful language upgrades:

→ Swap “should” for “could” = more options
→ Swap “can’t” for “don’t” = more discipline
→ Swap “have to” for “get to” = more motivation

You don’t need a new app. You don’t need a new planner.

You need better words.

These shifts seem small but their impact adds up fast.

They cost nothing. They take seconds. And they train your brain to think better.

Try one today. Catch yourself in old language and rewrite the script.

Your words build your world.

Choose wisely.

— D. Pink

Point #5 — Quotes of the Week

Continuing the “embracing obstacles” theme, which of these is your favorite?

Point #6 — My Question of the Week

What was a past financial challenge that you overcame? What’s an “obstacle” in your finances or career today that you might be able to reframe as an opportunity?

Reply to let me know! I read every response.

Thanks for reading — I hope you found a helpful idea or two.

I’ll see you next Saturday with more.

Have a great weekend,

Benjamin Daniel, CFP®

Founder, Money Wisdom

P.S. Want to take control of your money (and stop stressing)? Here are 2 ways I can help:

  1. Financial Health Check: Get your biggest money questions answered, understand where you stand financially, and get a personalized action plan from a CFP® professional. Book a free Intro Call here to see if you’re a good fit.

  2. Financial Coaching: If you’d like some accountability in getting your finances into shape, engage in financial coaching. Build the habits & systems to help you start building wealth, pay off debt, and feel confident about achieving your goals. Reply to this email and say “Coaching” to join the waitlist.

Disclaimer:

This material is not investment or tax advice. No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person or corporate body acting or refraining to act as a result of reading this material can be accepted by the publisher.

How helpful was today's newsletter?

(Did you find an idea(s) that was helpful?)

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

👉 Is there another topic(s) you would like me to cover? If so, reply to this email & let me know—I read & respond to ALL emails.

© 2025 6-Point Saturday.

Privacy policy

Terms of use

Powered by beehiiv