Global Warming isn’t the only issue to blame for it being a COLE WORLD.

Life will come with its ups and downs. Things will not always go the way you expect them to go. Therefore, no matter what life calls you, it’s the way you respond that matters most.

When releasing the album, Cole expressed that the title’s acronym had three meanings: Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons.

“The rest of the album I leave to your interpretation.” - @JColeNC, tweets

Each of the titles can be deeply connected to the voids you may feel, which can have an effect on your relationship with money.

Bad money habits are a drug of its own. The coping mechanisms are up to you.

And ROC Nation’s first signee consistently encourages you throughout his project to CHOOSE WISELY.

Here are 6 money habit lessons from J Cole’s K.O.D.:

Comparing your finances to their filters

“Love today’s gone digital and it’s messing with my health.” (Photograph)

“There are many ways to deal with this pain. Choose wisely.” (Intro)

The way you use money as a tool is affected by your internal and external influences. Growing up, your household could have had an impact on your money habits – whether good or bad. However, the lack of conversation about money in the household could encourage you to unconsciously choose paying interest instead of receiving it.

You also can be influenced by society through social media. Your infatuation with others’ lives through photographs can cause you to be indebted to a lifestyle you cannot afford.

You cannot simply lose to interest, but also lose your individuality because of comparison. It can affect you monetarily and mentally.

Lose the chase.

Overextending yourself

“You hit my phone, you need a loan, oh I’m a crutch now.” (The Cut Off)

“But my phone be blowing up, temptations on my line. I stare at the screen a while before I press decline.” (Kevin’s Heart)

Biggie wasn’t lying when he said Mo’ Money comes with Mo’ Problem. Becoming successful or even slightly more successful than those family and friends around you, you should expect others hitting your phone asking to borrow something. When it happens, many times you feel obligated to give. The more you give, the more they’ll ask. However, you have the power to change the narrative especially if it takes away from accomplishing your goals. You may feel tempted to continuously help support others at the expense of your goals, but it is completely okay to set up boundaries to protect yourself and your dreams.  You don’t have to feel guilty about cutting others off for your goal’s sake.

Golden Rule: Treating your gifts the way you would treat others.  

“I flip my misfortune and grow me a fortune.” (ATM)

Growing up In Fayetteville, NC, Cole experienced poverty as it relates to money; however, he soon realized that poverty is simply a mindset and doesn’t have to be a permanent state of being. His dream was to use his gift of words to make a decent living for his mother and himself, which eventually allowed him to retire his mom after signing to Roc Nation.

Your misfortune doesn’t necessarily have to relate to growing up with little money. It can be working at a job you hate. It can be your high credit card or student loan debt. Whatever the misfortune may be, you have an opportunity to “flip” the script by using your God given talent or skills to enhance the quality of your life.

Betting on yourself: Double or nothing.

 “Double up my cream, now that’s a Double Stuff.” (Moti8)

“I know you think this type of revenue is never endin’ But I wanna take a minute Just to tell you that ain’t true.” (1985 – Intro to the Fall Off)

Mondelez’s Oreo isn’t the only one about doubling its cream. Cole is about that life too. The only way you can use your money to make more is by investing it. Your investments can range from start-ups to real estate to stocks. Investing in yourself can produce the best return, especially if it results in the creation of a successful business. You can also make money through investment properties by purchasing duplexes and triplexes, renting empty spaces to others to pay for the mortgage. The stock market has historically returned an average of 10% annually since 1920.

You can choose to invest in a business, real estate and/or the stock market, but whatever you choose: Choose wisely. Your income today isn’t guaranteed to be your revenue tomorrow, so it’s extremely important to prepare right now.

Paying Uncle Sammy & Aunt Sandra

“I write a check to the IRS, my pockets get slim.” (BRACKETS)

They say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Some people may disagree and say its tax season, especially when they’re expecting a return. Contrary to popular belief, receiving a tax refund isn’t free money but rather overpaid money. When you receive a direct deposit from the IRS, it means you essentially paid more taxes than what was required.

Due to Cole’s personal wealth, he may have a different problem than the average taxpayer. Sometimes the wealthy ends up owing the government tax money due to their income and investments. Like Cole, you may be wondering where your tax dollars are going, nevertheless, it’s important to pay them. Tax dollars has an affect on many things such as the roads we use on our commute to work to the resources provided after retirement.

Avoiding Your Money Lessons  

“You running from yourself buying product again.” (FRIENDS)

It’s easier to avoid your financial mistakes especially when you don’t believe they can actually change. When you have the “this how it will always be” mentality, you’ll continue to engage in habits that are not conducive to your financial health. As stated earlier, bad money habits are a drug within itself. One of the drugs include retail therapy. Consumption, especially financing it through debt, can cost you in the long run. It may cause you to be on a payment plan for an outfit that you purchased to ultimately impress others.

If you truly desire change in your finances, you must confront the opportunities. Don’t coin your mistakes as failures, but rather lessons. You can speak with a therapist or a certified financial counselor to help you put systems in place to achieve financial health.

 

In essence, your money habits today has an affect on your financial health tomorrow. Choose wisely.