Achieving financial growth can feel like a constant uphill battle.
Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels in the mud of financial growth, getting nowhere fast? Like the universe has a grudge against your bank account?
You’re pinching pennies, cutting coupons, skipping that morning latte. But still, your savings account seems as stagnant as a pond in summer.
You’re not alone, and nope, you’re not a failure either. The road to riches isn’t a sprint – it’s a marathon.
So, what if you could find a little zen in the process? Good news: you can. It’s time to stop stressing about slow progress and start embracing the journey. Remember, the most meaningful progress is often slow and steady
After all, isn’t the tortoise who ends up winning the race? Ready to find peace in your slow financial progress?
Step 1: Embrace Your Financial Reality
Let’s think about a big, messy room. There’s stuff all over the place – toys, clothes, books. To clean it, first, you have to see it, right? You can’t just ignore it and hope it goes away. The same thing applies to your money.
Lots of times, we get scared about money problems. We see bills, debts, expenses and we want to hide. But just like that messy room, if you ignore it, the mess doesn’t go away. It just gets bigger.
So, the first thing you have to do is open your eyes. Look at where your money is. Maybe it’s in a bank account, maybe it’s in your wallet, or maybe it’s owed to somebody else. That’s okay. Once you know where your money is, you can start to make a plan.
Next, see how much money you’re getting. It could be from a job, a business, or even a hobby. Add it all up.
Then, see where your money is going. Are you spending a lot on food? Or maybe on rent or clothes? Write it all down.
Once you know your financial reality, you can start making a plan to tidy up the mess, just like cleaning your room.
And remember, every big clean-up starts with a small first step. That’s how you begin to find peace with your financial progress.
Photo by Peter Conlan on Unsplash
Step 2: Celebrate Small Financial Wins
Sure, let’s break down celebrating small financial wins in a way that’s easy to understand.
Ever played a video game? You know how good it feels when you complete a level, right? It’s exciting, and it makes you want to play more.
The same thing happens with your money. Every little win, no matter how small, can give you a boost. It’s like levelling up in your money game.
So, what’s a small win? Imagine you’ve been buying coffee every morning. One day, you decide to make coffee at home and save some cash. Boom! That’s a win. You’ve just saved a bit of money. It might seem tiny, but it adds up. If you save $3 every day, by the end of the year, you’d have over a thousand dollars. That’s not so tiny, right?
Another win could be paying a bit more on your bills. Say you owe $200 on a bill and you decide to pay $210. That extra $10 means you’re getting ahead. It’s a small step towards clearing your debt. And just like with the coffee, it adds up.
Now, how do you celebrate these wins? You don’t need a party with balloons (unless you want one!). Sometimes, just acknowledging the win is enough. Say to yourself, “I did well. I saved some money today.” It might sound silly, but it helps.
You can also track your wins. Get a notebook or use an app on your phone. Every time you have a win, note it down. Write what you did and how much you saved or paid off. Then, every now and then, look at your notes. You’ll see how all those small wins are adding up, and it’ll make you feel good.
And remember, it’s not just about the money. Every win is a sign that you’re taking control. You’re making choices to help your future. Each win, no matter how small, is a step towards your money goals.
So, don’t wait until you hit the big time. Start celebrating your small financial wins today!
Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash
Step 3: Outline Achievable Financial Goals
Think about planning a trip. You wouldn’t just start walking, would you? No, you’d decide where you want to go and how you’ll get there. The same is true with money.
Start by figuring out what you want. Maybe you want to pay off a debt, save for a holiday, or buy something special. That’s your destination, your financial goal.
Next, think about how you’ll reach your goal. Just like planning a trip, break it into smaller, manageable parts. If you’re saving for a holiday, figure out how much you need to save each month. If you’re paying off debt, decide how much you can pay off each week.
Remember, your goals should be achievable. Don’t aim to save a million dollars in a year if you only earn a few thousand. Make it something you can realistically do.
Finally, start your journey. Keep track of your progress. And just like a trip, there might be bumps in the road. That’s okay. Adjust your plan as needed, but keep moving towards your financial goals.
Step 4: Cultivate Financial Patience
There’s a reason they say patience is a virtue. Because it’s hard! Especially when it comes to finances. We all want to wake up one morning and find a pot of gold waiting for us.
Imagine planting a seed and expecting a tree the next day. Sounds silly, right? Trees need time to grow, and so does your money.
Sometimes, reaching our money goals can take longer than we want. Maybe you’re saving for a new bike, but it’s taking ages. Or you’re paying off a loan, but the amount seems to stay the same. It can be frustrating.
But remember the tree. Just like it needs time to grow, so does your money. Even if you save a little each day, it’s growing. Just like the tree grows a little each day, even if we can’t see it.
So, keep going. Keep saving. Keep paying off your debt. One day, you’ll look and see how much you’ve grown, just like one day you’ll look and see a tree where the seed used to be.
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
Step 5: Broaden Your Measure of Financial Triumphs
When you think of a winner, you might think of a person holding a big gold trophy. But winning isn’t always about having the biggest prize. Sometimes, it’s about the little victories along the way. The same goes for money.
Sure, having a ton of money in the bank sounds like winning. But think about this: what if you have lots of money, but you’re always worried about it? Is that really winning?
Instead, consider other ways to measure success with money. Maybe success is being able to pay your bills without stress. Or maybe it’s having a little left over to save each month. Or it could be finally paying off a small debt.
Remember, small victories count too. Celebrate them, and let them encourage you to keep going. It’s like cheering for every step you take in a race, not just when you cross the finish line.
Winning isn’t always about having the most. It’s about making the most of what you have.
Step 6: Concentrate on Manageable Financial Elements
Ever noticed how focusing on what’s beyond our control sends us spiralling into anxiety?
Why worry about things you can’t control when you can manage the ones you can? And yes, this includes your finances too.
Imagine you’re a captain of a ship in a storm. You can’t stop the storm, but you can control your ship. It’s the same with your money.
Sometimes, things happen that we can’t control like inflation or market prices. Maybe your car breaks down or the price of food goes up. That’s like the storm. You can’t stop these things from happening.
But, just like the captain, you sure can control your shopping habits, right? . You decide where to spend your money. You decide how much to save. You decide whether to pay off debts little by little, or all at once.
Redirect your energy towards these controllable aspects. So, instead of worrying about the storm, focus on steering your ship. Control what you can control. Spend wisely. Save regularly. Pay off what debts you can.
By focusing on what you can control, you’ll find you can navigate through any financial storm, steering towards peace and stability.
Step 7: Consult a Financial Advisor
Imagine you’re lost in a big city. You have a map, but it’s still confusing. Wouldn’t it be easier if someone who knows the city well shows you the way? That’s what a financial advisor can do with your money.
A financial advisor is like a guide for your money journey. They know the way, they understand the map, and they can help you avoid the potholes. They can’t walk the path for you, but they can definitely help you make your journey smoother.
Now, you might think, “Why do I need an advisor? I can handle my money myself.” And yes, you might be doing a good job. But remember the city: even with a map, a guide can make things easier.
Financial advisors have studied and worked with money matters for years. They understand things that might be confusing for us. They can give you advice on how to save, invest, or pay off your debts. They can help you plan for big things like buying a house or retiring. And they can help you understand your financial reality better.
Meeting with a financial advisor doesn’t mean you’re bad with money. It means you’re smart. You’re using all the tools you can to make your money journey better. And the best part? You’re not alone. You have someone to turn to when you have questions or when things get tough.
Finding a good financial advisor is important. Ask friends for recommendations, or do some research online. Look for someone who understands you and your money goals.
So, don’t be shy. Ask for help. Consult a financial advisor. It’s like having a guide in the big city of finances. And remember, even the best explorers use guides to help them reach their destination.
The Roadmap to Tranquillity: Charting Your Course
It’s easy to feel like a hamster on a wheel, isn’t it? Spinning your legs, heart pounding, but the landscape just doesn’t seem to change.
But remember, you’re not stuck; you’re meticulously crafting your path, one step at a time.
In this journey, you’ve now got seven powerful tools in your belt:
- You’ve Learned To Accept Your Financial Reality
- To Celebrate Even The Smallest Victories
- You’ve Realised The Power Of Setting Realistic Expectations
- And The Virtue Of Patience
- You’ve Redefined What Success Means To You
- Learning To Focus On What’s Within Your Control
- And Opened Up To The Idea Of Seeking Professional Guidance
Imagine a future where your financial growth, no matter how slow, doesn’t spike your heart rate or keep you up at night.
Instead, you’re sipping your morning coffee, relaxed, because you know you’re moving, you’re growing, and every penny is a testament to your perseverance and strategy.
Picture yourself a year from now, or five, or ten. You’re standing on the summit of your financial goals, not because you sprinted recklessly, but because you moved with intent.
Because you followed these steps, and found peace in your progress, however slow it might have been.
Remember, the sweetest fruits come from the slowest growing trees. So, as you continue on your financial journey, slow and steady, imagine the applause echoing around you.
Because you are on the road to achieving the richest reward – inner peace in your financial journey.
For frugal living posts, check out here
…or get my cookbook here The Little Mediterranean Cookbook on Amazon.
…or get a FREE EBOOK with 5 Easy recipes to improve your energy levels by signing up to my newsletter
By submitting your information, you’re giving me permission to email you free tips, recipes and promos. You may unsubscribe at any time.
