One of the best ways to attack any problem in life is head on. Money is no different. You can’t ignore your financial situation or the stress just gets worse. You must decide you have had enough and take action to gain control of your finances and your future. Here are three steps you can take today to stop worrying about money.
The Rainy Day Fund
Most financial advisors will tell you to put 3-6 months worth of expenses into a savings account, but that can seem daunting. Start by saving or putting one month’s income aside. This will give you the confidence to know you have some savings stashed away for expenses that may arise or in case you are between jobs. After a few months, work towards putting 2 month’s income aside. Keep increasing this until you reach 3 month’s expenses covered.
Pay Off Credit Card Debt Monthly
A credit card is simple to use and handy to carry around. That’s why its also easy to lose control of that piece of plastic. Start by making sure all of your monthly obligations are met. Next, tackle long term debt. Start with the debt that has the highest interest rate, which usually are credit cards. Make extra payments until the debt is gone. Then, keep your credit card current and pay it off every month.
Start Saving For Retirement
Retirement might feel like it is a long way off, but there is a huge benefit to start saving early. It’s the power of compounding. A small amount put away today will slowly gain in value year after year. You have many options to save for retirement, including RRSPs, TFSAs, and more.
You may hear people suggest investing a minimum of 10-15 percent of net income into retirement savings, but I think it’s important to save as much as you can. If you don’t put the money away, it is too easy to spend, so keep investing as much as possible. Socking away an additional $50 here and $75 there all adds up.
Whether you are setting weight loss goals, building a business, or starting a financial plan- the first few steps are always the hardest. But after a few consistent steps, you build momentum and are well on your way to the finish line.
Decide that today is the day you are done with money stress. Make a plan and start taking action to improve your finances.
