Financial Improvement Strategy Requires Changed Behavior
Many of us are working on one or both sides of the home cash flow equation. (Income – Expenses = Cash Flow) For such a simple equation, there is a high degree of confusion and difficulty when it comes making lasting improvements. There is no shortage of ideas out there to help you improve. Sometimes I let myself wander around the web looking for ideas to improve the family finances and often come away with nothing but a headache. It’s not that most aren’t good. There is just so much. What should I do, where do I to start?! From clipping coupons, thrift stores, yard sales, growing my own vegetables, selling all my stuff on Craigslist, rewards programs, picking up another job, to getting rich quick on the internet (no shortage of offers for that in my inbox), there is a long list of ways to help you improve your family finances.
But which one is right for me?
Improving your family finances requires a change from what you are currently doing. Change is hard. Any change. That’s why many changes don’t last. How are your New Year’s resolutions doing? We are creatures of habit and tend to drift back to our comfort zones. They say it takes 8-12 times for a single behavior to become a new habit. That kind of commitment is tough to come by in today’s fast paced, immediate gratification world but that’s what it takes to make lasting improvements to your financial situation.
Plan to make lasting change. Start small. Start now.
There are a lot of great resources out there to help you improve. Pick one. It’s ok to start with a path of least resistance. This is a long journey but it starts with a single step… Start with something that doesn’t feel like a major sacrifice. Does the thought of entering a thrift store make you cringe? That’s ok for now, how about washing your own car ($1.00) instead of the car wash ($7.00)? Have you had some success couponing? Take it to the next level. Make an early Sunday morning routine with store flyers, a few go-to coupon sites, your coupon organizer and a calendar capturing your specific actions for the week that will save you money! Find the cheapest gas in town, find a “Thrifty Thursday†or “Wacky Wednesday†for an additional 5cents off and plan it into your week. Plan your meals according to what’s on sale at the local markets. That’s a safe one and no one will know… Make sure you are enrolled in every Rewards program you can find for the stores you frequent. Find a new discount store and check it out. Been in the Dollar Store? I found a Pepperidge Farms factory outlet store close to me. Day old Pepp. Farms bread and discount Goldfish rock! We reupholstered our dining room chairs for a whole new look ($65), instead of buying new ones ($450), saved big and they look great! Be creative, start small, and plan to save money by changing a specific behavior.
What are 2 behaviors will you change?
Write them down in detail (what, when, where, how often). Reinforce your changing behaviors in writing, keep them in front of you and talk about them. This will give you a better chance to improve than if you just thought about it. Be sure to monitor, adjust when necessary, and celebrate successes. That acknowledgement of success is the fuel that will drive lasting improvement. Can you afford to have any money saving improvements go the way of your New Year’s resolutions?
Create a new habit of Continuous Improvement. Make progress everyday.
About the Author:
Brian McEwen is a former successful business leader now focusing his efforts at home. His advice for family financial and emotional well being can be found on his blog, (www.daily-saving.blogspot.com), or follow him on Twitter (@DailySaving)
Posted by Sok on October 20, 2010 Tags: Deal
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