Money is not a goal in and of itself, but a means to achieve your goals. When you nurture your financial health, you help boost holistic wellness in every realm of your life. And by taking control of your financial life, you open a world of possibilities. Money is a fuel that propels you to reach the things you want to do, achieve, protect, and share.
But good financial health doesn’t just happen, especially because most of us aren’t taught what to do with our money – besides spend it, that is! It takes proactive steps to build a foundation that will support your financial health and life goals, today and in the future. Here are three ways to get started today on a path to long term success:
- Get a sense of your cash flow. Often we simply make our money decisions reactively, without really thinking about them. When you track what’s coming in and going out in a month, patterns start to emerge – and they might surprise you. The first step to setting up a smart path toward your future financial goals is understanding where you are in the present, so you can move forward strategically.
- Once you know where you stand today, take the time to set goals for your financial future. The time to think about your future financial health is right now. Where will you go? What will you do? What will you create? What are your big dreams?
- Know that money habits are just that – habits. Like any other habit, it’s always possible to substitute a healthier choice. Change doesn’t have to happen all at once or overnight. Break down your big long-term financial goals into smaller, concrete steps. “Saving for retirement” becomes “saving 20% of my paycheck each month,” which is a much more specific target to work toward.
