Have you ever noticed how you can feel anxious, angry, resentful, or afraid when you think about your money situation?
When you get a bill that you don’t know when you can pay? When an unexpected cost comes in that blows your budget or financial plans?
Money and emotions are very connected, and when you don’t have control of your money situation overall, things will always come up that create negative emotions and add to your stress levels.
The only way to manage this flight to negative emotions is to master control over your money. That doesn’t mean you can change your whole financial situation quickly, and stop the stress. What it does mean is that you are prepared for the unexpected, and can deal with bills and life by knowing what financial position you are in today.
To get this control and peace of mind you have to do some work. It is not the most exciting of jobs, but you need to take a look at what your life costs per month to run. Consider using a budget planner calculator.
Only when you have a complete picture of your money situation can you start to make clear decisions about taking control of your money and your life.
Once you know what your true monthly costs are you can start making decisions. Many of us find that we actually spend more than we have coming in, when costs are aggregated monthly. This can be a scary place to be but allows you to make some decisions. For example, consider whether you can:
- lower your overheads
- move
- sell a house you can’t afford
- change your children’s schools
- sell something you don’t need to pay off credit
There are dozens of decisions you can make to start the process of controlling your financial world.
And this control gives you peace of mind. It stops you from being mindlessly anxious about money without having a plan. In short, knowledge is power, and the only way to get the knowledge is to do the work and understand what situation you are in.
The other thing you can do to control your emotions around money is to write your own affirmations around it, and keep them close–either on your wall or your computer—wherever you spend a lot of time. You can include phrases like “I am in control and at ease with my money” or things like “I have a strong plan around money to improve my life.”
These kinds of affirmations will train your brain over time to feel positive emotions around money. In fact, the more you think positively, you will find money is attracted to you without even trying—because your energy is up and you are a more positive person.
So don’t keep letting yourself stay anxious about money. Take control and start making positive decisions. It will change your life.
For specific advice customised to your individual circumstances, contact Carrick Aland’s Wealth planning team on 1300 466 998 or visit carrickaland.com.au/wealth-planning/.
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