Are You As In Control Of Your Finances As You Should Be?

When it comes to money, it’s always good to know that you’re in control. No matter how much you earn or what kind of financial situation you’re in right now, you’ll always want to be sure that you’re making the right decisions to be confident and financially stable. But let’s be honest, it’s not just that easy. Whether you’ve never properly been educated on finance or you just don’t know how to maximize your current position, it may take you time to get there. When you’re in your twenties and even early thirties, that’s tolerable. You have time to learn and get things right. But ideally, you want to be there as soon as possible. And there are ways to do it.

Being in a good place financially should be something you aspire to. And the best news is that it is simple to attain. You don’t have to wait years to be in the position you want to be in. Instead, you can start working on it today. Start acting confidently and as you are in control and you will start exhibiting the skills you need to be financially stable. These skills aren’t difficult to embrace. Yes, you do need to change your mindset, but if you really want this to work, you will find that it’s relatively simple to do. And here are the techniques to help you.

Start with a budget

Is it sound judgement to acquire home insurance after you’ve had a serious damage to your house? Obviously, no. Similarly, it does not make sense to establish a budget after your bank account is in the red for weeks and you’re struggling for money. What if you simply want to cut back? You still need to have a clear picture of your expenses. A budget is the solution. Truly, budgeting is just a smart way to manage your money. When you learn to budget, you have more control over where your money goes, instead of wondering where it’s gone. Struggling with discipline and organization? You’ll be surprised at home much just simply establishing the habit of following a budget contaminates other areas of your life.

Reduce your cash outflow (expenses)

As you take the first steps with a budget toward financial stability, you’ll realize that you may be spending too much money in some areas (or on things). As a smart and responsible millennial, this is where you need to implement discipline. Could you cut back on the 250 channels robust cable subscription that you pay for? Could you manage your time more efficiently and set aside some time to pack a lunch before you head out the door? I know how good Starbucks and Chipotle are but stop by those establishments a few times a week and you will easily dig a $100 or more hole in your finances every month. Delay your gratifications now so you can enjoy peace of mind later. It’s so easy and tempting to swipe your card because you can. But if you want to turn things around, you need to make sure that you’re working on conscious spending and controlling how much you spend on a daily basis – particularly on purchases that don’t bring value to your life.

Save on your household expenses

Next, let’s evaluate the household expenses. You won’t always be able to cut these expenditures out entirely, but it doesn’t mean that you must overpay. So, think about using these household savings tips, be creative but wise, and try saving to bring your costs down overall. Regarding household expenses, saving may not literally mean modifying your service. Consider ways to save energy in your home which lead to lowering your bills.

Increase (Diversify) your income

Now that you’ve managed to control your spending, the next area that you’ll want to work on mastering is your income. If you’ve followed Money-Smart Millennials for some time, you’ve realized that diversifying is a key component of my mentality. I favor putting your efforts towards a venture that generate an increasing residual income but to start with, here are a few ways Forbes suggests you could  increase your income. Remember that your job is your primary source of income. Committing to other ventures and decreasing your contribution at work is not ethical. Do the best job you can so that when or if you decide to leave, they’re sorry to lose an exceptional employee.

Explore other areas

Financial stability also means securing your assets. Many people get a home warranty insurance policy when they move into a home that’s rather old. It is a smart move. When I worked at the bank, one of the wealthy clients kept delaying getting an insurance policy because his two daughters who were lawyers could not agree on the terms. Such behavior can be disastrous. Simply put, it is important to be safe. As millennial, we tend to think that we are bulletproof. The truth is that one day, you may need personal injury law assistance, who knows. Anything that affects your financial life should be considered here, especially if it helps you to gain more control in the future.

Give investing a try and plan for your future

Next up, you need to make sure that you’re looking to grow what you’ve got. The best way to have full control over your financial situation is to know that you’re making the most of it. Having savings is one thing, but if you know that you want to improve and multiply, investing will help.

And while we’re on the topic, it is imperative to think about the future. Being in control of your money isn’t just about being in a great position today. It’s more about planning ahead and being sure that you will be in the best position in ten years or for your retirement.

Stick with the new Mindset

Finally, implementing these good habits is worthless if you don’t maintain them. When it comes to making this work out for the long-run and being able to really take back control of your situation, mindset is everything. Don’t underestimate the power of a positive mindset. Even if you’re in a poor financial situation right now, you don’t have to be there forever. So, have faith and stick to your goals.

***

What do the rich teach their kids that the poor and middle class miss?