The past year I’ve been learning a lot about money, how it is made and how it is often squandered. I’ve had to change the way I think about our finances, and make corrections in the way we’ve been living so that we can be successful down the road.
Making these changes hasn’t been easy. Humans are creatures of habit, and we can’t change overnight. The bad money habits that we’ve gotten into over years of overspending and lazy bookkeeping aren’t easy to break.
Turning Things Around
So how do we turn things around? The first step is to realize and accept that what you’re currently doing isn’t having the results you had hoped. Often that is the hardest thing to do, but being open to correction and redirection is commendable. As it says in proverbs:
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. Proverbs 13:18
The next step is to figure out what is holding you back from success. Is it an income that isn’t large enough to support you and your family? Is it spending habits that are out of control?
Once you figure out what is holding you back it’s time to make a plan so you can fix your problems. Do a zero-based budget where you allocate every dollar before it hits the bank account. Decide how much you want to spend in certain problem categories, and don’t go over budget!
One thing I’ve found extremely helpful is using an envelope system for spending where you withdraw cash for your problem categories every paycheck, put the money in envelopes according to their category, and never spend more than what is in the envelope. We use this for our restaurant eating, groceries and entertainment budgets. It has helped us to cut hundreds of dollars out of our spending budget, and moved that money into savings. It adds up quick!
Once you’ve made a budget, start to work on changing your behaviors and habits. For example, if you used to stop for coffee and a donut every morning, try cutting it back to once a week. Or if you’re spending a lot of money on gadgets or clothes, try cutting the amount down to a reasonable level, while still budgeting for some “fun”.
Work on changing your habits and behaviors gradually, and eventually your new positive spending habits will become your new habit.
Step By Step To Making A Change
- Realize you have a problem, and be ready to accept correction.
- Figure out what is holding you back.
- Become disciplined and make a plan.
- Track spending and do a budget.
- Start changing your spending habits and behaviors gradually in order to facilitate permanent change.
- Wash, rinse, repeat.
We’re still in the process of changing out behaviors, and some habits have been harder to break than others. If you stick to it, and are disciplined, you’ll be blessed in more ways than you can imagine.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
Are you making a change in your spending habits and behaviors? Has it been hard? is it worth it? Tell us about it in the comments.
It’s all about integrating these changes into your lifestyle. Trying to do it all at once only becomes discouraging. Thanks for breaking it down in a useful way that expresses the need to take small steps. These small changes will eventually add up to big success.
Mirandas last blog post..Will We Get an Income Tax Holiday?
Don’t forget the heart and motivation. Our actions or lack of actions in given areas are often direct outflows of what is in the heart. Often you change actions to help change the heart, but sometimes changing behavior is attacking the symptom not the real problem.
Having the proper motivation preferably positive motivation really helps you make change.
The Happy Rocks last blog post..DD’s Monthly Expenses – November 2008
It’s funny you should mention motivations. I have another post scheduled that talks about people’s motivations for wanting to build wealth, and for wanting to make a change.
I think that upcoming post speaks to the points you’re talking about. Great minds think alike!
Like you mention, you need to realize you want to change your habits, and then put a plan into action and begin. The key is to begin. Even if it’s as simple as making your own lunch 1-2 times a week instead of buying everyday. The little new habits created will become routine, and can help with bigger habits.
Its almost 2012 and its a new beginning for everyone to be financially independent. I have been in the dark back then with lots of debt to pay and a meager salary but when I changed my perspective and created a clear plan on how I would reach success, it becomes possible!