Many people don’t know how to work with money and live day to day hoping that their money will last them until the next paycheck comes in. Even worse, sometimes they find that they are sinking further and further into debt and don’t know how to get out of it.
There’s no denying the importance of money and the stress it can cause. In fact, one of the main reasons people feel worthless and have low self-esteem is due to money-related issues.
In these tough economic times, it’s more important than ever to gain control of your financial situation in order to gain control of your self-worth.
18 Tips On How To Work With Money
Here are some tips to follow on how to work with money and hopefully they will help keep you grounded and inspire you to get working towards your future financial health.
#1
The perfect way to monitor what is going on in your finances is to keep a financial spreadsheet. You can do this on your computer or even download an app like ‘Spending’ to keep it simple.
Make sure to include everything from credit card purchases, insurances, memberships, groceries, cab rides, and shopping trips.
You will quickly see if you are spending more than you are making, and if this is true you will need to re-adjust your spending habits.
#2
Now if you need it, don’t be scared to get help. There is nothing wrong with asking for financial advice, and this is one of the best ways to gain financial freedom and work towards financial goals in the future.
Find a financial adviser who can help you to both set goals and meet them.
#3
Remember that the small stuff tends to add up. Those daily coffees, weekly magazines, and monthly gym memberships all need to be accounted for when you look at your finances because when it comes down to how to work with money, every penny counts.
#4
Get ‘Money – Master the Game’ by Tony Robbins. I have read this book twice from cover to cover and he gives invaluable advice, no matter how much you are earning.
You can order it online by clicking on the image of the book below.
In this book, Anthony Robbins turns to the topic that vexes us all: How to secure financial freedom for ourselves and for our families. “If there were a Pulitzer Prize for investment books, this one would win, hands down” (Forbes).
Tony Robbins is one of the most revered writers and thinkers of our time. People from all over the world—from the disadvantaged to the well-heeled, from twenty-somethings to retirees—credit him for giving them the inspiration and the tools for transforming their lives.
From diet and fitness to business and leadership, to relationships and self-respect, Tony Robbins’s books have changed people in profound and lasting ways. Now, for the first time, he has assembled an invaluable “distillation of just about every good personal finance idea of the last forty years” (The New York Times).
Based on extensive research and interviews with some of the most legendary investors at work today (John Bogle, Warren Buffett, Paul Tudor Jones, Ray Dalio, Carl Icahn, and many others), Tony Robbins has created a 7-step blueprint for securing your financial freedom.
With advice about taking control of your financial decisions, to setting up a savings and investing plan, to destroying myths about what it takes to save and invest, to setting up a “lifetime income plan,” the book brims with advice and practices for making the financial game not only winnable—but providing financial freedom for the rest of your life.
“Put MONEY on your short list of new books to read…It’s that good” (Marketwatch.com).
#5
#5Ditch any impulsive and compulsive buying and buy only what you need and not what you want.
Impulsive and compulsive buying only leads to buyer’s remorse (especially when the credit card bill arrives) which can negatively impact your self-esteem and self-worth.
Of course, we all enjoy a good shopping trip, but during these tough economic times, it is important to rise above the urge to shop and prove to yourself that you can do it.
#6
Because debt can be overwhelming, you need to try to remain grounded. Too much financial success can cause arrogance and rash financial planning, so it is important whether you are in the red or in the green that you keep your head about it.
Learn to make smart financial decisions regardless of where you are. Don’t let wealth go to your head when you get there, and on the other hand, try not to let your debt get you down.
Remember that Debt is part of life and you just need to take it one payment at a time.
#7
If you see the word ‘sale,’ do not confuse it with the word ‘buy.’ Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need to buy it. Being able to resist the half off offers and the buy one get one free discounted item is a big step towards your financial self-discipline.
#8
See if you can discuss your mortgage interest rates with your bank manager to try to get them down. These interest rates are not usually set in stone and its always a good idea to try to negotiate a better deal now and then. See what’s out there, talk to your bank manager and make the most out of whatever options are available to you.
Doing a little research can go a long way in the end.
#9
Always pay your credit card in full as far as possible, as the interest rates on your card are usually very high and it is so easy to rack up a huge bill and forget about it.
If you are not careful you will end up paying hundreds, if not thousands in interest, which just leads to more stress and more debt and then more insecurity about your financial success.
If you are bad with a credit card, either cut it up or limit its use to emergencies only.
#10
Do your research. There are always better deals on insurance, phone plans, electricity rates and so forth. See if you can bag the best bargain.
Because of the intense competition in our economy, many companies are constantly lowering the prices on their services. Take advantage of this by shopping around, comparing rates and using a quote wizard online.
#11
Work hard and work smart. Don’t get caught out by get-rich-quick schemes. In most cases, the fastest way to get on top of your finances is by sheer hard work.
Hard work also helps to build character and demonstrates your ability to focus on a job and commit to something. All of these attributes are essential to improving your overall quality of life. Work is a huge part of life, so why not be the best you can at it and most importantly, do something that you enjoy.
If you want to learn how to work at home doing something you enjoy, try reading my review here on what I do to earn more money.
#12
Use your savings account wisely. Set up a savings account and another account for expenses.
What you do with your savings account is up to you. Maybe you are putting money away towards your children s education, or saving for a holiday.
Watching your savings account grow month after month, regardless of if you are contributing $10 or $1000 is an important step in gaining financial freedom and improving your money issues.
#13
Consolidating your debt is a really smart move, especially when your debt is starting to consume your life and impact negatively on your self-confidence.
If you consolidate you can also stop those annoying phone calls and piles of overdue bills. Instead, you simply pay one payment each month for all your different debts combined. It is so much easier to manage and you can rest easy knowing that you are getting out of the red.
#14
Concentrate on being grateful for what you do have and don’t focus on what others have. This can be difficult, especially if your neighbor is flaunting his brand new Porsche or your co-worker just received a huge bonus but you didn’t.
Take a deep breath and push past those jealous feelings. Concentrate on your own goals for your own financial future and prove that you are better than those petty feelings of resentment.
#15
Swap high interest for no interest.
Credit card companies are in so much competition with each other at the moment that it is possible to get no interest on bank transfers.
This means you can swap your credit card debt to another financial institution and receive their low introductory rate. You can stand to save thousands of dollars in interest and pay off that looming credit card debt a lot faster. This crafty financial move can leave you feeling proud and smart.
#16
Keep your financial future in mind. We all want to live for the right now, but it is important to secure your financial future by investing in your retirement.
Contributing to a 401 (k) plan or the equivalent can help you grow up, gain responsibility and improve your general financial understanding and standing.
#17
Learn to understand your own personal financial journey. Not everyone has equal footing financially. Some have to work full time from the moment they leave school and are still scraping by, while others are handed an inheritance or a house from their parents or grandparents.
Because wealth is not distributed equally, it is important to make the most of what you have when learning how to work with money. Everyone is going to have a different financial journey, and you need to find your own path to follow and do it the best you can.
#18
Commit to your financial goals. If you want something, go for it. Even though this is easier said than done, remember that there is nothing more rewarding than saving up for something special and then buying it outright.
Learn to budget, save and then spend wisely, as these are all important steps to take on how to work with money.
