Fix Your Relationship with Money
Does money stress you out, give you financial anxiety, and do you never seem to have enough to make it through the month? The truth is, the relationship we have with money should be treated with the same amount of care as any other relationships we have in our life.
So, if you want to discover how to rid yourself of the limiting beliefs you have towards money and how to develop a sense of happiness and a good relationship with money, read on!
1. Create a budget that works for you.
One of the most important aspects of a healthy relationship with money is creating a budget that works for you. List your necessary expenses. like bills or monthly money commitments that are non-negotiable. Then, look at your spending habits and cut back, and spend less money on unnecessary expenses.
However, don’t deprive yourself or your family. It needs to be flexible enough to pay your expenses and also allow you to buy the things you work so hard for. Think about what your goals are in life and base your plan on your goals
For example, If your goal is to buy a house or improve your overall financial health, then be sure that make provision for this.
2. Create an emergency fund
It’s important to have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. We tend to ignore the fact that life happens and things like losing your job or unexpected health problems can’t be predicted. These are just some of the factors of life.
Decide on the amount of money you want to put aside and define and identify what you consider an emergency. Things like your health and extra retirement money are all worthy priorities. With a little bit of forward-thinking, you will be setting the foundation for a more healthy relationship with money.
3. Make savings a priority
I’ve heard countless people complain that there’s just not enough left for savings. Don’t be too concerned with the amount you save, just make an effort to put money away. To change your relationship with money, put some money away and forget about it. Tell yourself that it’s not your money and that you can’t touch it.
Financial planning is also a crucial aspect. Be sure to put money away for future investments like retirement or college tuition.
4. Don’t let money overwhelm you
We’re constantly bombarded with financial advice whether it be on billboards or on the internet. The trick is to focus on your situation. Just remember that it’s okay if you don’t have all of the answers right away. It will take some time to feel secure about your money and finances and about spending less.
Don’t let the fear of not knowing everything keep you from getting started. Take one step at a time and eventually, you’ll be on the right track!
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
So you’ve drawn up your budget and you’re saving a bit of money, but temptation creeps in! You’ll need to enlist the help of your parents, a partner, or any person you trust to help you lead the way.
This person can check in with you and make sure that you’re staying on track and helping curb negative habits. They can also help you to plan your finances if you are having trouble doing so on your own.
6. Change your view on money management.
It’s a good idea to view your money as a tool. For instance, if you don’t have the right tool to do a job, chances are your project is going to flop and the same goes for the relationship you have with money.
The next time you are tempted to spend money, ask yourself if it’s really going to help you to achieve your goals. If not think of how you can use the resources you have to benefit yourself. You could talk to a financial advisor and might even decide to invest.
7. Stop borrowing money!
The Bank, credit card and payday loan companies might seem like the solution but the reality is, that you’ll end up worse off in the long run. In fact, you will lose money. Taking out a bank loan is essentially buying money, but at a much higher price.
The bank doesn’t care about your personal circumstances or feelings, you’re merely a client to them, and the more you borrow, the more money and profit they make!
So, If you find yourself in a tight spot, don’t be afraid to ask a parent, family member, or trusted friend who has the resources to help. Changing your relationship with money is not an overnight task. You will make mistakes and you might fail and fall at times.
8. Create positive money affirmations
You may not realize it, but your relationship with money is a reflection of your thoughts and beliefs about yourself. If you believe that you are worthy of only $10 an hour, then chances are you will never earn more than that.
However, if you feel confident that you deserve to be paid $15 an hour don’t be afraid to ask for a raise. It’s all about practice, having the right mindset, and changing from within. Positive money affirmations help your subconscious mind realize what your true potential is and how to achieve your life goals.
9. Identify ways to earn more money
You’ve heard of side-hustles, right? They are a great way to generate extra income. There is nothing stopping you from making extra money while you’re working a 9-5. Focus on changing your mindset and start using the creative ability you were given to think outside the box.
You can earn extra online doing just about anything. Just think, snagging just one or two extra clients can significantly boost your balance. Generate extra income through affiliate marketing, starting a blog, or if you prefer, reviewing products, and even selling things you no longer need to friends or on places like eBay.
It can also be as simple as reaching out to the local community and offering to babysit or become a part-time dog walker. You’ll have endless fun and don’t necessarily need qualifications to do any of these.
The point is, that there are countless ways to generate extra income and you don’t need to have loads of money to get started. Spend some time thinking of how you can make money and pay your bills to improve your relationship with money.
10. Live below your means
Many people can relate to this but don’t listen. If your income is $1000.00, then be sure to stay in your lane. The brands we wear don’t determine our wealth or worth. I’m sure you can relate, people tend to try to impress and improve relationships with other people or friends by buying things that they cannot afford.
Spend wisely. For example, go thrift shopping and utilize your local library instead of spending money on books. Also, it makes sense to utilize discount coupons, buy in bulk, and get rid of necessary subscriptions. Remember, don’t let your emotions get the better of you and jeopardize your relationship with money.
11. Never say “I can’t afford it”
In our early experiences with money, we likely heard our parents say this often. It’s a common expression, but it’s also one that’s very detrimental to your relationship with money.
When you tell yourself that you don’t have the resources or can’t afford something, you’re basically telling yourself that you’re not worthy of having it.
It’s a negative way of thinking and one that should be avoided at all costs! Instead, think of it this way: You can’t afford anything right now because you’re not making enough money. If your implement small changes and little by little your relationship with money will improve and you can one day have those things.
12. Get into the habit of using cash, not cards.
Another great way to improve your relationship with money is to make a concerted effort to pay using cash. This makes us more aware of the transaction and makes us more aware of what we’re spending our money on.
It also makes us more aware of how much money we have left to spend. If you’re out shopping and you’re running low on money, you’ll be less likely to make any additional purchases.
13. Consider needs vs. wants
To change your relationship with money, you will have to think long and hard about the things you need vs. the things you want. When you’re out shopping, ask yourself one question “Do I really need this?”. Making the conscious decision to purchase something that you actually need will help change your mindset.
Spend some time thinking about your needs, and what you would like to do to address these needs. For example: If your car is ten years old, it’s probably a good idea to start saving money for a new vehicle. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can save up enough money if you really put your mind to it!
Conclusion
There are many factors at play when changing your relationship with money. You don’t have to make any drastic changes in order to improve your relationship with money. All you need to do is take small steps and make small improvements.
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