The following article is written by Brad at Learn, Save, Invest.
There is no better feeling in life than the feeling of happiness. Being content with your life and all that surrounds it is the ultimate high. But how financially happy are you? Here are some tips on becoming financially happy.
Figure out what is financially important to you
If you want to be financially happy, you need to figure out what is important to you from a financial standpoint. Do you want security? Do you want better returns on investment? Do you want enough money to purchase a home? Thinking about what your goals are will help you point yourself in the direction of financial happiness.
Focus on the positive
Start thinking about what’s positive about your current financial situation. Perhaps you have a recession proof job, or a fully funded emergency fund. Focus on the financial goals you’ve been able to meet so far, and how it will feel when you reach your next goal. Think about how blessed you are, and how wonderful it will be to improve upon your current status.
Start small
When setting your goals, start with the little ones and move up from there. You don’t need to have thousands of dollars saved up. Set a small monthly goal for savings and try to meet it. When you are able to meet your goal, make a new goal and meet that one. Starting small will help you feel more confident in your financial abilities as you meet each new goal.
Nobody’s perfect
Don’t be too hard on yourself. In order to be happy you need to cut yourself some slack. We all make mistakes and we all spend money on things we don’t need. Learning to live with yourself and your decisions will help bring you happiness. As long as you’re trying to improve, you’re headed in the right direction. Being at peace with moving in the right direction will help you in your quest for financial happiness.
Take time off
Thinking about your financial situation can sometimes drive you nuts. Checking your investments five times a day doesn’t accomplish anything other than making you worry. Take time away from your finances to just be happy. Go outside and take a walk, or spend some time with your family. Running your financial life is fine, as long as it doesn’t run you.
One thing at a time
Put your focus on one task, then accomplish it before moving to the next. Trying to do too much will only add stress to your financial life. Instead of saving up for a down payment and a car at once, just save up for the down payment and worry about the car afterward. Set one goal and meet it before moving to the next. Put everything else out of your mind until you’ve accomplished what’s right in front of you.
Reflect
Take time to reflect on where you came from, and where you are. Chances are you’ve accomplished much more than you think. Take pride in how far you’ve come, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you’ll work hard to get where you want to be.
Chances are, if you follow these steps you’ll find you’re already financially happy, you just didn’t know it yet. Be at peace with your financial road, and be happy that you get to travel it.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the post, hope all the CPF readers enjoyed!
I enjoyed reading your post! Thank you.
Appreciate on what you got at the moment. You’ll never go anywhere if you don’t have gratitude inside you. Then plan your the next goal.
This is a nice post.
The rainy day fund is a big deal. It has been preached for years, yet I am still astounded at how few people have one. These are simple steps, and simple still works. Great post.
Having a budget, emergency fund and a plan is definitely part and parcel of the building blocks of a more sound financial position. Nice post!
Great post, balance and planning are essential to obtaining a sound financial position.