MONEY SKILLS
Change starts with a desire to do things differently; a commitment to learning and practicing some basic financial concepts. We must practice good money habits to truly make a positive financial change. Ironically, it really isn’t that difficult to manage our finances. It’s like tying our shoes, or brushing our teeth. It has nothing to do with how much money we make; rather, it’s what we do with what we have. We should focus on incorporating the right habits and acknowledging what we value most. Take small steps and remember that our decisions can lead to a life-long commitment of positive change. Trying to do it all at once can be very overwhelming and discouraging. Focusing on money too often can also create problems. The goods news is that changes in our behavior can fix our money problems. What we ultimately do with our money is a personal matter. However, by being engaged and committed to improving our finances, we feel measurably better about our future, attitudes, jobs, and stress levels. Financial literacy is more than just managing your checkbook–it’s learning all aspects of personal finances like budgeting, saving, and even using debt responsibly. Lacking these basic money skills can lead to poor decisions with destructive consequences. Through change, we can head down a path towards financial security. Ask yourself: “Do I feel good about my finances?” “Am I happy with the choices that I have been making with my money?” “Is my financial plan working for me?” If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then it’s time to make changes. We need to be open and honest with ourselves on a regular basis, or everything will stay the same. If we aren’t happy and feel stressed, why stay on the same course?
