As we kick off the new year, it’s time to reset and re-centre so we can set ourselves up for success in the next 12 months. This month, I want to focus on balancing our finances rather than budgeting our finances. We hear it so often that it might not even register, but budget is a very restrictive word, one that reminds us of all the things that we cannot have. I want all of us to think of a budget as a balancing act, meaning it’s how you create the balance that truly matters. It might not seem like much, but even a slight shift of our mindset with the word can make a significant difference in how we feel about the entire process.
Today, I’m coming to you with a few tips to ensure that your spending aligns with your future life goals, travel plans and more.
- Put aside a little bit of money each month
Ok, you don’t have to do this every month—it could be every other week, every time you get paid, or what have you! The principle of it is to set aside a specific sum of money on a consistent schedule to achieve easy growth over time. You can work with your bank to set up an automatic transfer from your chequing account to your savings account, so you never have to worry about it. Set it and forget it. 😎
- Stretch the $$ a little further
Working off of tip #1, saving a little bit more than what you are comfortable with will go a lonnnng way. For example, if you feel comfortable setting aside $100/month, then bump it up to $125. You’ll barely feel the $25 now, and future YOU will thank you!
- Pay yourself first
I already touched on this, but set up automatic savings to kick in as soon as you’re paid. This way, you’ve already saved the money that you need to, and you can feel comfortable spending what you want to in the month.
- Protect yourself
It might not be the most fun to think about life insurance or critical illness insurance, but it’s an important step that you need to consider in order to set yourself (and your loved ones) up for success in difficult times. The proper risk management in place can make all the difference.
- Review your bills and look at your money regularly
Sure, it’s easy to ignore things, but it never helps in the long run. It’s really important to look at your money and stay on top of your savings so you can see the progress that you’re making. What if your credit card was used for a fraudulent transaction and you didn’t see it because you didn’t look at your report?! You don’t want to miss these things – so give yourself a pat on the back when you check regularly and see your progress!
I hope that these suggestions will help make 2023 a successful one for you, both personally and financially! For more tips on keeping your finances balanced, along with some financially fun resources, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Insurance products are offered through Strickland Financial Group Ltd.
which is a separate company and not an affiliate of Wellington-Altus Private Wealth
