1. MAKING A BUDGET

Have you created a budget and actually stuck to it for longer than 3 months? Me neither.

Let’s be honest, creating a budget and sticking to it is hard.

But I find it’s so important to create a spending plan that outlines and tracks your income and expenses going in and out.

Unexpected costs come up, the mob humbug for a loan and sometimes you don’t get it back. Or, you accidentally forgot to unsubscribe from a free trial that ended *face palm* and it charges the yearly amount and now your account is in minus!

Yep, we’ve all been through it. This is why it’s important to write down a budget to keep track of and to be in control of your finances to achieve financial wellness.

2. TRACK SPENDING

I find having a journal to track your spending and to identify spending leaks and negative spending patterns. It’s also great for accountability!

I split them between my debts (mortgage, rent, personal loans, credit card etc), savings (emergency savings and general savings), expenses (everyday expenses like groceries, bills, petrol and gym) and luxuries (Netflix and Spotify).

Splitting my income and expenses into their categories give me a clear snapshot of what’s coming in and out and is a great tool for accountability. 

3. PAY OFF DEBTS (Credit Cards, Pay Day loans & Afterpay)

Paying off your debt ends the cycle of repeated spending, frees up your money to buy the things you really enjoy and gives you more financial freedom.

A place I like to start is by paying off the smallest debt, and then once that is paid off, moving onto the next. Eventually the debt will be paid off and money coming in can be spent on other things.

4. OPEN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT (A maximiser account)

A savings account can help to work towards goals, like a car, holiday or something simple like a new coffee machine.

Having an emergency savings account is also important for any unexpected expenses that come up. 

5. MINIMISE COSTS (Invest in a coffee machine & plan your meals)

At the beginning of the year, I used to pay $4 a day on coffee every day, for years. Without even realising until I completed the My Money Dream Program module where we calculate spending leaks, I was spending over $1000 a year without even realising which is crazy considering I could add that to my savings! I ended up investing in a coffee machine to minimise costs and limit to having a coffee here and there.

Writing a grocery list when going to the store and sticking to it has saved me so much time and money. I meal prep and bulk buy and bulk cook to save time and money! 

6. SELL UNWANTED ITEMS – stop hoarding and start selling!

Spring cleaning is one of my favourite times of the year, I go through my house and sell all unwanted items online. An old chair, unwanted clothes, shoes, dinnerware, picture frames, the list goes on, whatever you may think is trash, is something somebody else will treasure.

Hold a Garage Sale, List items on Facebook Marketplace, Buy Swap Sell Pages, eBay and Gumtree. You would be surprised on how much you could make and add to your savings!! 

Where else I found inspiration

1. BOOK: The Barefoot Investor

This book helped me to manage my money in 10 minutes a week.

2. PODCAST: She’s on the Money
3. BUDGETING APP: Pocketbook – Expense Tracker

Securely link your accounts from multiple banks and track all your money from one place.

4. YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Suga Mamma Tv

This article is not  personal advice. The products mentioned are not paid endorsements; they are simply what’s worked for the author.