Published on Barr Financial Services
Everyone desires financial health, so it’s really no surprise to hear that one of the most common new year’s resolutions is to start saving more — but it might be a surprise to learn that saving money might not be the panacea it appears to be. So, we have to ask ourselves “What can I do now that, when May’s flowers roll around, I’ll be proud for having done?” The answer changes for every person, but there are some common dominators that are worth talking about.
If you dream of a strong and secure financial future, then here are 4 easy-ish things you can start now — and will thank yourself for, later.
Audit Yourself
If you haven’t ever had an audit, you should. We’ve seen too many people expecting to retire at 67, but are shocked to hear that their money will run out by 75 — a surprise that can be prevented by taking a detailed look at your finances. Gather all of your financial documents and hand them over to a third party who can take a look at all the numbers and descry any red flags that call for attention. A financial physical can yield a myriad of information, the most important of which is the date your funds will run out in retirement. Using that as a guide, your team can then develop a plan that fills in the holes. It’s an incredibly honest and revealing look, as the numbers don’t lie — even if you are a naturally risk-averse person, the physical might say you need to leverage more risk in order to achieve your goals. In that case, you might have to become comfortable with a new reality. Sometimes, only an audit and a third-party professional can clearly navigate those murky waters.
Take a closer look at your debt
Debt is a big deal, especially for the younger generations. It’s far easier to shut the door on the details and to pay your monthly minimums only, but it’s unfortunately just a Band-Aid solution. Don’t ignore debt because it looks scary — look debt in the face, and get to know the nitty-gritty of the thing. For example, are you only paying down the interest on your student debt? If so, you’re doing nothing more than kicking a can down the road and, in the process, wasting money and lengthening the loan by never actually paying down your principle. By paying more than just the interest per month, you are able to whittle away at the size of your loan until it is something much more manageable. This applies to all debt, from student loans to credit cards, so it’s worth it to take a more detailed look at what you owe. From the audit we previously mentioned, maybe you’ll even find some extra money to help pay down that debt faster!
Invest in yourself
If you do one thing this year, let it be this: invest in yourself. That’s as specific as we can get, because this looks so different for every person! Invite yourself to think about what you want from your life — really, truly think about it! There is no better time than the present to begin pursuing your dreams, even if you can only take baby steps. The #1 investment you can make is in yourself, so take those classes, focus on yourself, find inspiration and get those certifications; education is timeless. Technically speaking, it’s the least risky investment, with the largest potential for pay off. Best of all? It’s not money that gets squandered away, never to be seen again. You are an active participant in your investment’s success, and most of the time, that can be pretty fun.
There are other ways to invest in yourself and live authentically. Take a look at the time you spend in a day, and see where you can reallocate some hours towards constructive projects and to more efficiently reach your goals. Netflix binges feel good while they’re happening, but that’s time that could have been spent bettering yourself. Maximize your time, eat healthily, and take care of your psyche. Pursue a side hustle, even if it isn’t actively contributing income. Sometimes, simply feeling good is enough.
Change your relationship with money
Everyone has to deal with money, but not everyone has a healthy relationship with money. Do finances make you feel scared, or apprehensive? Perhaps money makes your excited, because it directly translates to nice dinners and shopping. Neither of these perspectives will invite financial success into your life, so flip that narrative on its head! Practice the abundance mindset, where you cultivate wealth and love and friendship simply because you believe you will have it (or already have it). Positivity and intention have power beyond our human capabilities can explain, if you choose to lean into it. As our friend Ronald Dahl once wrote, “Those who don’t believe in magic, never find it.”
Another idea would be to revisit the idea of “voting with your dollars.” Every dollar you spend ends up somewhere and supports something, so this is a good chance to learn where your money is going and what, or who, you are supporting. Consider shopping at small businesses, buying organic, or researching a company before purchasing their products — your money spent is your participation in their vision! Consider it tiny little investments in the missions that matter to you. You can work with your financial advisor to tailor your investments in order to leave an impact that’s larger than the sum of your net worth, too.
