5 Ways to Better Money!

Whether you ever work with us or not. We always give value while you are here. So here are five ways to better your life around money to begin living a happier and more fulfilled life. All of these strategies are simple enough that you can begin taking action right now, even if you have no money at all. If you find these strategies and ideas useful, we invite you to send us a short email letting us know how you use them. 

1. Set yourself clear and specific desires you would like to achieve in your life. Notice I did not say goals. Yes, you should have goals, but frankly, it's a little cliché, but desire makes it more simple. I would rather you think about the desires, objectives, experiences and enjoyment you would like to have that entails money. Once you have these, we have found that it is psychologically more motivating to focus on the things you want rather than the money you want. When you know your desires and objectives, you'll begin to find a way to get the money to get there. So simply write down your desires.

2. This one is hard. Take an inventory of where you are right now financially. Yeah, I said it was hard. Make a list of all of your financial assets and a list of all of your financial debts. The cash you have, the real estate you own, the investments, the checking, savings retirement accounts, the life insurance you own and all of the other assets should all be listed on your assets list. Simultaneously, list out all of your current debts, any loans you may have, credit card balances, the mortgage, the car notes, student loans etc. Unfortunately, you probably can list the debts better than the positive assets, but let's move on. Now, the moment you get all of the debts listed out, never focus on them again. Yeah, that sounds silly, but I want you to focus on money. Don't focus on debt! When you focus on debt, you'll get more debt. When you focus on money, guess what you'll get; more money. So focus on money. Think of creative ways to increase your income, ask for a raise, increase sales, increase your environments around money. The purpose of doing this is so you can get a grasp of where you are, so that you can understand the steps that you need to take in order to get to your destinations, we addressed in number 1.

3. Stop and Reflect. The last task in number two, whether you did it immediately or devoted time to it might seem very daunting. This is why step number three is key in the process. Stop and reflect. Do not label things in steps one and two as good or bad, or right or wrong. Just take them as just that. It just is. This is simply your past mental and financial state. Now reflect back to number one. What are your desires and objectives? Take time and sit with this, imagine them, meditate, think of ways that you can possibly get there, even if those ways are outlandish. Remember, the most important thing is to stop and reflect on what you now see. 

4. Create a plan. This is easier said than done. However, it is a very important step after you stop and reflect. We recommend using the strategy of "reverse engineering".Here's how it works. Take a desire you want to achieve, like a vacation to Europe. Look at all the pictures, places, and outings you want to do, see how to get there. When you have that in mind,  then look at the financial cost of doing it. Then map the time in your calendar. Finally, once you know the cost, think about how you can invest monthly by saving a specific amount, or partnering with someone or a financial plan to get to the dollar amount you need. Then ask what can I right now, today, to get to that destination?  Another example could be retirement. When do you want to retire? Like, what date and why? Then what do you need to get there, such as; what retirement looks like, what you need in retirement? Then look at a plan to get there in the reverse. What do you need 10 years before your retirement date, what do you need 20 years, what do you need 30 before and what you can do right now to get to that destination? Short note, if your retirement is closer in years than the example given above, use the same strategy backwards year by year in order to get to your destination. 

5. Take Action. You might be reading number 5 and thinking "oh yeah I've heard this before." You're probably right. Among all of the steps that you have just read above, number five is absolutely vital. Nothing happens until you do. Nothing changes until you do. It is vital for you to begin taking action even if it is extremely small. Unfortunately, most people will do all the steps above, then get number five and feel scared, intimidated, ashamed or whatever else and simply do not take action and stay in the same state that they are currently in. Frankly, that's foolish. Don't do that. Take action. Even if you take the smallest action by picking up the phone and calling someone, sharing with someone what you're currently doing. Or talking with a professional or even us related to your journey. When you do this you are more likely to achieve your life's desires. You know what, even if you do number one and five only. You are in a far better position than you would be if you did nothing. So I encourage you to please take action. If we can assist in any way, I invite you to contact us for a complementary no-obligation consultation in order to live your life at a higher level.