5 Easy Steps to Start Handling your Money Better

1.   Become conscious about where you are spending your money

Get really conscious and honest with yourself about where you are spending your money. Carry with you a notebook so that you can write it down every time you take money out of your wallet or your purse. Keep receipts for everything as a reminder also. Notice whether you are reactional spending based on needs vs. wants. Instant gratification can be the make or break to your financial success.

2.    Incoming money vs. Outgoing money

It’s as simple as… Do you spend more than you are making? Identify how much money you have ’coming in’ vs. ’going out’. Maintain weekly records of what you are spending and do a comparison each week to become conscious about what is reality for you in your habits of spending. Look closely at what you have coming in financially and what you have going out financially

3.    Create an empowering budget plan (no depriving yourself)

Spend some time in working out how much you need to create a weekly or monthly budget plan.

Remember this is not based on depriving yourself, but more for empowering yourself around money and your financial situation for now and your future. Keep it really simple.

4.    Keep an eye on your budget comparisons weekly

It is important to keep an eye on your budget weekly to compare whether you are on track according to what you allocated in your budget areas. I found that if I did not do this on a regular basis, then I kept reacting from not being clear. When you are clear, it gives you space and freedom around your finances for you to move forward and grow financially.

5.    Start now – whatever your situation financially

Whatever your situation is financially, by creating a relationship with money and ‘being with’ exactly where you are right now, will create a spring board to where you want to go financially. Notice any negative head talk about yourself, about money and start changing your thinking to serve you. The key is patience, persistence and vision. Hold onto your vision and keep working it one step at a time.