Before we get into how to change your money connection, let’s define what a money relationship is. Money, in my opinion, is another object that fills mental space in the same way that food, movement, and job do.
Consider your relationship with those other items, such as eating, exercise, or employment, and then consider your relationship with money. What is your attitude toward money? When the subject of money comes up, what feelings do you experience? Do you have a pattern of ideas that come up every time you connect with money? All of these factors influence how we deal with money.
Follow a budget
A budget shows you where you are now and where you will be once your expenses are paid. You have measurable control and know exactly where your money is going with a budget (as long as you track everything accurately). By determining how much you can spend on each department of your life ahead of time, you can ensure that you will have enough money for everything as long as you stick to your budget.
If you’re worried about money because you think every expense will break the bank and you won’t have enough money for your essential expenses, a budget can help you relax. A budget removes surprises and helps you to plan ahead of time rather than being caught off guard. But, once again, you must be truthful and keep account of all expenses.
According to a Bankrate.com poll, while 82% of Americans keep a budget, a third of them only write it down on paper, and 20% only keep track in their brains. Even if you have a haphazardly designed budget, there may be a more efficient way to use it to better your financial relationship.
If you’re familiar with spreadsheet formulas, Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets can be used to create a simple budget.
Do you require any additional assistance? There are numerous programs (some of which are free! )that can assist you in getting your finances in order, such as invoice generators, paystub generators etc..
Be open yourself about your purchasing behavior
Do you partake in retail therapy on a regular basis? Are you prone to making impulse purchases? Are you a scrooge when it comes to saving money? What is your preferred method of spending money?
Knowing where you fall on the spectrum is crucial to understanding your financial relationship since it reveals how you handle money.
Admitting that you have a problem is the first step. You’ll be able to avoid the extremes, create and stay healthy in your relationship with money once you grasp this.
Set short- and long-term objectives
With your budget in hand, you can begin putting money aside for future expenses. Setting objectives can motivate you to be more responsible with your money and make conserving money worthwhile.
Short-term goals: I would define short-term goals as anything under $2,000 or something that can be accomplished in less than a year. These might be everything from upgrading your computer to paying off your debt to putting money aside for an emergency (which I highly recommend doing anyway because you never know). Having a short-term money-saving goal is a great motivator that you can physically cash in to reward yourself.
Long-term goals are those that cost more than $2,000 and can be accomplished during the next one to five years. Buying a house, paying off all of your debt, or arranging a big trip are all examples of long-term ambitions. When you attain these goals, you’ll feel more fulfilled, and you could even feel relieved.
Include these objectives in your budget and be precise about how much it will cost to attain them. Even if you only set aside $10 per month for any of your goals, that’s $10 more than you had when you were dreaming about that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Machu Picchu.
Understand why you have a financial relationship with money
Money is something I’m terrified of. I despise shopping for myself, and I can’t recall the last time I bought something that wasn’t on sale. I know I’m like this because money was always an issue for me as a kid. We were never in debt, but there was always a sense of anxiety and tension about the house. My wife, on the other hand, was raised by parents who had plenty of money to spare. Nothing is out of reach for her, and she is constantly on the lookout for the newest and shiniest items.
Understanding why you spend or save the way you do might help you deal with some of your money worries, particularly if your financial status has changed. If your financial situation has improved and you are now able to be more open with your finances, but you are still reluctant to spend money, address this. If the situation is the contrary, make sure you realize the risks and implications of not knowing how to save and scrimp.
Understand that money is an inevitable evil, but there are methods to work with it
Money is what makes the world go ’round; there’s no avoiding it if you want to be a part of modern society. Regrettably, this means that practically everything costs money, and life is costly. It’s a significant source of stress for most people and the source of a lot of anxiety, especially when your paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle leaves little room for emergencies.
We can improve our relationship with money by recognizing our spending habits and the reasons for our tendencies. Making and sticking to a budget is a wonderful place to start confronting your anxieties and desires.
There’s no doubt that money plays an important role in our society. Our connection with money, on the other hand, may be improved and does not have to be feared.
