Throughout my marriage, my husband and I have always worked on our financial life. We love to read books, listen to gurus, and talk about what to do with money. While we made some progress and learned some important concepts, we also realized that knowing what to do was just a small part of it, and that doing it was the hard part. We found that when we got to know ourselves better and understood our own relationships with money, we began to have greater financial success.
I want to help you find success in your financial life too. It’s something that I am very passionate about because I have seen that when we have control and a plan with our finances, so many other areas of our lives improve. The money chatter is gone! We no longer worry about how we are going to make it to the next paycheck, how we are going to deal with the next emergency, or if we’ll have enough money when we retire. The feelings of freedom, peace, and confidence are SO worth the effort.
The first thing to get clear on is your “why”. Most financial goals are not accomplished quickly. They require quite a bit of commitment and perseverance. Having your “why” at the forefront of your mind will be what keeps you going when the going gets tough. Seeing the big picture makes the everyday choices so much easier to make.
So, take out a piece of paper and write down your financial goal(s). Here are some ideas:
- pay off debt (even the mortgage!)
- have money saved for emergencies (big or small)
- save for retirement or kid’s college
- leave a legacy by generously giving and helping others
- become aware of your current finances (what you make & spend, etc.)
Now, answer these questions:
- Why do you want to achieve this goal?
- How will your life be different when this goal is achieved?
- How will you feel when you achieve this?
Take some time to really think about these questions. Talk with your spouse about them and see your future self with the goal achieved. It is possible for you!