Change your mindset!
If you can view saving money as a joyful, long-term strategy towards enhancing your financial security, you will embrace it wholeheartedly. Saving money and having a spending plan are fundamental money management strategies. Most women I know make an honest attempt to save money, but many feel it restricts their lifestyle. Saving can be challenging, but when you re-frame your thoughts around saving money, and visualize it as an easy task, you will start saving more money naturally.
Always think before you buy.
Let's face it, we live in a spending culture where instant gratification and buying cheap is the norm. Even though we are reminded in the news of what buying cheap really means to third world countries and the people who work long hours for small wages, we still mindlessly buy stuff to make ourselves happy. The best way to move from a spending to a saving mindset, and make saving money a habit, is to always take a moment to think before we buy. Just ask yourself: Do I really need this?
6 ways to find joy in saving money:
The more you enjoy saving money, the more motivated you will be to stick to it. Here are some ways you can make saving money more fun:
1. Shift your thinking
Take a positive approach to saving money. Try not to reflect on what you can't have, but more on creative ways to stretch and save your hard-earned dollars. It'll give you the insight and wisdom to make better money choices. Shifting from instant gratification to long-term thinking will help you focus on what really matters to you, and you will achieve your goals sooner. Saving is a long-term strategy, but don't forget to celebrate mini-milestones as your savings start to grow.
2. Find joy in NOT spending
It may seem counter intuitive, but if you start finding joy in NOT spending, you will further empower yourself to get on the road to financial success. It'll take self control to avoid the temptation of sales and impulse purchases, but if you make a conscious choice to NOT spend, you will have far greater control of your future.
3. Become goal obsessed
Keep a journal of where you spend your money. If it shows that you are making unnecessary or extravagant purchases, set goals to curb this financially draining behaviour. Focusing on specific goals will help you to stay on track, better manage your spending, and find more joy in saving.
4. Visualize your success
The best way to build wealth and get the lifestyle you want is to visualize your success. Visualization creates a mental road map to success. By expanding your mind, you can expand your savings.
5. Create a savings vision board
Create a vision board to track how much money you are saving and for what specific goal. Adjust the totals weekly and celebrate mini-milestones. It will fuel you to keep going!
6. Give thanks for what you have
Being content with what you have, and grateful for all the blessings in your life -- good health, family and friends - makes saving money that much easier.
By finding joy in saving, you will gain control of your money and be less likely to overspend. It will also help you to expand your lifestyle in a truly positive way. There's no better time than right now to get started: transform your thinking, transform your life!
Anita Saulite
Financial Services Consultant
Author of The Savvy Money Gal