How to take control of money and life

One thing I learned from being financially out of control is that when you get in control of your finances that feeling of control radiates out to other parts of your life. 

A shift in attitude shifts behaviours and this shifts what you are willing to accept. 

It’s hard to feel unstoppable if you are juggling credit cards and avoiding phone calls from debt collectors. Even if you are not quite getting chased by creditors, the internal fear of being a failure with money can be holding you back from truly enjoying and living life.

Shame around money is common. I think it has more to do with financial literacy rather than your innate ability with money.

We all pick up certain behaviours and attitudes around money; from our parents in particular, but even from our friends and partners.

Those money values influence the way we think about money and consequently how we spend and save.   

You probably once learned to drive, for instance — if someone had just sat you down at the steering wheel and said, “Off you go” — you probably would not have even known how to get the car started.

This is how you can approach your financial literacy.

Forgive yourself the shame of how you have been dealing with money up until now. It is like being ashamed for not knowing how to drive. Once you make a decision to change the way you deal with money you must change the way you think about money

Where money is concerned, the most important factor for change is your mindset.

Questioning what money means to you is an essential first step. 

Can you identify your beliefs around money?

There are so many cultural ‘catchphrases’ about money that permeate our mindsets and can set us on a path of money management anxiety or avoidance. Some of the common ones

•    “More money, more problems!”

•    “Rich get richer, poor get poorer.”

•    “I work hard for my money, but I just can’t get ahead.”

•    “Money is the root of all evil.”

•    “I don’t come from money.”

•    “You have to have money to make money.”

And my very favourite …

•    “I’m no good with money!”

If one or more of the phrases above has become your money catchphrase, acknowledge it. It’s an important building block along your path to a positive money mindset.

Change the word money for vitality or energy and see how the phrases you use sound!

Over the next week really listen to how you are using language when you talk about money.

Be grateful every day for something money allows you to do.

Remember always that its your money – you earn it and you own it!!!

Phoebe x