Being in control of our own lives can seem difficult. We stress and worry about all aspects and often find ourselves feeling out of control. This doesn’t have to be the way. Finance is one of the largest contributors to feeling stressed. Do we earn enough money? Have I covered my mortgage this month? I don’t have much money left for the rest of the month. These are all common problems for the majority of people across the planet, but it doesn’t mean it has to be a continued issue. Take charge of your financial future today and start feeling more comfortable in day to day life. How can you do that? Let’s take a look.
Time is Money
This may not be the case for everyone walking the streets, but it’s a good way of thinking about things. Putting your salary into hours and working out how much money things cost in relation to how many hours you would have to work is a good leveler. For example, if you’re working 40 hours a week and earn $10 dollars an hour then buying that $40 sweater because it’s nice might have you thinking twice. 4 hours of work is a lot, is it worth it for the sweater?
As you work you’re essentially giving up your time. Time is money and it’s worth working out how much your time costs. It’s a good way of putting things into perspective. Do this and you’ll find yourself not spending as much in needless places, giving you more money in other areas of your life.
Look At Investment
We aren’t always in a situation to invest our money. We might not have enough “spare” money to even think about investing. When some money comes your way, though, it might be worth looking into some smart, self-directed investments. They give you the opportunity and the power to control your own investments and take it in the direction you please. Investing money is wise as the potential for a large return is highly possible. Choosing the right market to invest in takes time, so ensure you do your research before dropping money on anything.
Create a Budget
Something not many people even take into consideration is creating a budget for themselves. Knowing and understanding how much money you make every month is the first key bit of information. If you don’t know how much is coming into your bank account, then you won’t be able to budget for anything. Another good thing to do is to measure how much money you are spending in each area of your life. For example, how much you spend on groceries every month, how much you spend on going out and entertainment every month, how much you spend on clothes, etc.
After working all these figures out you can assess them to see where you can make amendments and adjustments. Be realistic with your budget, if you know you enjoy your coffee every morning, then write it into your budget. If you need to save money, then you can look at an alternative way of getting your coffee, instead of buying from a shop you can make it at home, it might not be the same in your eyes but you’ll save a surprising amount of money every month.
Ignore Those Around You
It’s difficult to see your friends and neighbors splashing the cash and buying a new car or having the latest fashion trends every month. But they aren’t a part of your direct, family life. What matters is your own and getting jealous of others will only make you spend money in places you don’t have it. It’s the first way to run out of money. Look after yourself and let others do what they need to do.
Save, Even if it’s a Small Amount
As soon as you can start saving, do it. There are so many people that get caught up in thinking that saving $50 isn’t worth it but it really is. No matter what you save, it’s worth it. Everything builds up and you’ll end up with more than you realize in a short space of time.
Get a dedicated savings account and put money into it whenever you can. Try and do it on payday and add it to your budget spreadsheet. These accounts have interest rates, they’re usually low, but it’s still free money. The more money in your savings accounts the more money you’ll earn in interest.
If you’re in financial trouble, then it’s never too late to look at fixing it. There are ways out and it is possible. Understanding how much money is coming in every month is essential, as is building and creating a budget. It won’t be for the rest of your life, but it’s important to set yourself up for a financially free future.