5 Steps to get your financial life together, TODAY!

Hey girlfriend! I’m excited to share these 5 financial steps with you. 

 Talking about money is my thing!

I went from being dead broke, credit score in the 400s, and homeless to debt-free and financially independent!

Yes, I have personal experience, but I’m also an Accountant and
Accredited Financial Counselor® as my profession for over a decade.
(MONEY COACH)

 I want us ALL to win and living intentionally with your finances is a great start!

So, Let’s get started on the 5 Steps to get your financial life together, today.

5 Steps to get your financial life together!

1. Acknowledge where you are.

We must be honest with ourselves here. 

Are you dining out a lot? 

Do you know how much you are spending each month? 

Are you happy to wake up and go to work?

Are you saving?

Do you have a financial plan?

We have all been there, on autopilot, and going with the flow. But, there comes a time where we have to take control of our lives and make purposeful steps to be happy and secure.

Start Here:

First, pull out your most recent bank statement(s) and tally up each category. (Categories: Dining out, groceries, personal, car, etc.)

Next, it’s time to admit there is a change that must occur. 
Get your mindset in check for the much needed growth ahead.

 Then, set a date and time frame where you will sit and be intentional about the changes that are needed. Write it out. It’s not going to happen unless you see it.

2. Make note of where you want to be.

If you are single, this step needs to be done alone. Do not allow your Instagram friends or anyone to influence what this looks like for you. Remember, you get to decide what type of life you want to live when the cameras are off and it’s just you.   

If you are in a relationship, it’s best to talk your goals out with each other to see where you both see yourselves (Not on the first date!). You two are hopefully in a relationship with the intent to eventually declare “forever”; so, make sure you all are on the same wavelengths. You all don’t have to be exact, just in the “same room” of plans.

All married couples should make these plans together.  

 Mark 10:8 “… and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” 

 YALL DON’T HEAR ME! Lol

 Yea, So, basically you have to do this together. Your plan is his plan and vice versa. After an adult view has been established and you have kids, include them on the plan.

Questions to get a start on where your heart lies:

1. Am I ok with where I am now? If not, what would I rather be doing right now?
2. What would I like to be doing in 5, 10, 15, and even 20 years from now?
3. What would my ideal day look like?
   Know your why

Know your Why!

Once you determine where you want to be, ask yourself “Why?” 

 Ex: I want to retire early because I want to spend more time with the kids or I plan to stay at my job until retirement age because I’m happy, I love what I do and my retirement benefits are great.

 Any plan you have that makes you happy and provides security is the right one. 

 Knowing your “Why” will help you along.

3. Write down your financial goals

These goals will allow you to achieve your “Where I’m trying to be” ambitions. 

 You can note things like:

• Pay off debt
• Set a budget
• Save Emergency Fund
• Cancel that free subscription I signed up for last week or I will be charged $9.99
• Contribute to my retirement account
• Work more hours or get a side job for extra income
• Improve Credit Score

4. Make a Budget

Now that you know where you want to be and have your financial goals list in place, it’s time to put a plan in action to make it happen.

Set a budget according to your goals, like…

• Spend less in dining out to contribute more to retirement
• Get rid of the unnecessary or hardly used subscriptions (HULU, Netflix, gym) to save an emergency fund
• Make small sacrifices to see movement toward your goals
• Be more conscious of the utility usage (ex: electricity)
• Remember your “Why”

 You can download a FREE excel Budget Sheet HERE!

Important notes when creating a budget:

1. Budgeting is for everyone with every income level.
2. Budgeting allows you to take control of your financial life because YOU are in control. You tell your money where to go and not the other way around. You are the CEO!

ALWAYS include a “savings” and “personal” line item on your budget. This is oftentimes skipped. 

You can also download Dave Ramsey’s FREE Budget app called EveryDollar. I use it myself because it’s user friendly. 

5. Manage Your Money to Align with Your Goals, Values & your “Why”

Stay on top of yourself and your family when it comes to making money, spending money, saving money, and investing it. Everyone should be on board to achieve THE GOAL. 

• Do not spend more than you make. 
• Diminish impulse buys (take at least 24 hours of research and decide if it’s something you need.)
• Make a plan for “extra” money before you receive the funds. (Ex: When I get my tax refund, I will put 90% to my debt and 10% for my personal spending bucket)
• Keep your “Why” in mind

Incorporate family meetings or self-check ins to make sure everyone is good and staying the course. 

Track your progress.

Set a time at least monthly to track how your adjustments have made a difference. This will keep you encouraged! 

Remind yourself and family of the goals and the “Why” when someone starts to stray away. It happens, just encourage yourself and each other.

BONUS: Read!

There is nothing SEXIER than reading a book. Well, I can think of a few, BUT that’s not the point! Lol. 

Reading is so important because helpful information is given in books that could support you along your financial journey. If you read books on how to get out of debt, soon enough you will be out of debt. I truly believe in the law of attraction. Attract all the wealth and health to you and your family!

At times, a book along your journey in a particular step acts as our accountability partner.

Note: Be sure to read articles, magazines, blogs, and so on; just as long as it’s from a reputable source. 

Bonus Tip: Don’t take advice from people who are not in alignment with where you are trying to go.

A quick read to get you inspired and get started:

VANGUARD Read

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Get your financial life together, today!

Tell me some of your financial goals below and if I can help in any way!

Jasmine
Live Happi Girl