So often, we find ourselves in such financial difficulties that we tend to want to blame money and deem it as being the root of evil. Somehow, it is easy for us to pass the blame and not realize all the bad spending habits we have developed along the way. It is just easier to point fingers at the economy for not having control on our finances instead of digging deep and seeing how our misuse of the dollar has led to our own demise.
While we can rip apart today’s economy, blaming it for the dollar not being able to be stretched as far as it once was, it is definitely not the cause nor should we blame it is current power or lack thereof for our personal financial mess. So let us take a closer look at some of the reasons why our financial life might be in ruins.
How are you spending your money? This might be the first step in pulling yourself out of a financial set back. When you recognize you have a problem you can then try to come up with honest way to get on track. Getting to the root of this question will definitely help steer you in the right direction. If you can see exactly where you are spending carelessly, and simply put a stop to it, you can help save yourself a lot of money.
Read: 1 Timothy 6:8-10
Are you a victim of keeping up with the Joneses? If the answer to this question is yes, then you ought to know that if you stop and keep up with Jesus instead, you will be better off. Now, if you are not exactly sure, ask yourself these two questions. Do you feel a constant need to have the latest of everything? Are you partaking in activities you know you cannot afford just to fit in with your circle of friends? If you answer yes to these simple questions, you my friend are guilty of keeping up with the Joneses.
Stop it!
You cannot live your life based on the lives of others. It is only a recipe for financial disaster. If you cannot afford that 6-bedroom house on the hills, opt for something in your budget you can afford. If dining at a five star restaurant is taking away from paying your bills on time and keeping your electricity on, then you need to stay home and cook.. If your wallet does not match your taste level, then its time your taste level catches up to the reality of your income. “Give me neither poverty nor wealth.” Proverbs 30:8
We all like nice things, and that is ok. However, when you are foregoing the payment of important expenses for material things, we get ourselves in trouble. Learn to shop wisely, or not at all. For instance, there is no need to spend a lot of money on clothes. Do your research, find where the sales are, clip your coupons if needed, and sign up for money saving apps and websites to help.
Budget wisely and be practical about it. Some of us find ourselves living paycheck to paycheck, not because we do not make enough, but simply because we refuse to budget. When you do not budget, you find that your money will disappear a lot faster than you want it to. Nevertheless, when you can give an account to every dollar spent, you allow yourself to appropriately allocate your funds.
Read: Proverbs 22:7
Save. Save. Save. If there is one thing we all should be doing, it is saving our money when we can. I know this might be easier said than done in some cases, but it is worth trying to squeeze it in to help build a little nest egg. If you need to invest in a financial advisor or get a part-time gig to help, it is definitely worth it. Your future self will thank you.
- Stay Blessed!