We cannot change the cards we were dealt, but we can certainly increase our chances of success by changing how we play the hand.
Tweaking our outlook can dramatically improve our life. There’s no doubt about it. In fact, there are plenty of tricks we can employ to improve our finances by adjusting how we view the steps needed to achieve financial freedom. Here are a few ways to help you do what’s necessary by just changing how you look at each situation.
If you are struggling to feel that your retirement savings are making a difference, try to think of the day you can retire with each contribution. Obviously, you will need a plan in place to figure the date out first, but whether it’s an hour, a day or a week, being able to see how your retirement date is getting closer will help you save more.
Similarly, if you can’t find the urge to make extra mortgage payments, look at the exact date when you will become debt free instead. Just make sure you really celebrate when that day comes, because it’s a major milestone. (Like this tip? Here are 25 more ways to pay down debt.)
And if you can’t seem to stop buying today because you can’t see the benefits of tomorrow, set-up a intermediate goal for your savings. For example, set-up a vacation fund and you will instantly start comparing the $5 coffee against delaying your trip.
This works for those irresistible car purchases too. All you need to do is think of how much longer you’d have to work in order to pay for that vehicle which sits idling most of the time. You may still end up buying the car, but at least you know you really love the drive.
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Finding the motivation to look for part time work is tough, because you are often concentrating on the low hourly wages. Think of how much more you can spend on your hobby with the money you make on your part time job, and this will entice you to apply. (When you are ready, here are 15 ways to earn extra money.)
And if you can’t seem to save? How about being able to not even look at the stock market because you don’t need the potential returns? I know my life would be simplified (and probably quite a bit more comfortable) if I have so much saved that I can drastically lower my exposure to stocks.
And if you really can’t find the time to clip coupons, think of whether you have time to deposit the free money if someone just offered the sum to you on the street. You know you have the time, and money is money whichever way you can get them.
Sometimes, adjusting our view is all it takes to turn failure into success. Try it. The tactics work with money, and everything else too.
