Financial Cookie Jar

Sunday I was in church and one of the speakers gave a discourse on proactive goals. I know your thinking, “Hey bub, I’m here for financial help, not spiritual.” Your’e absolutely right, but I had finances in mind when I heard it. Just remember good advice is good advice, period. So let me explain proactive goals and show you how they matter to your finances and then you decide if its worthwhile.

The whole idea behind the word proactive is that you act, rather than let yourself be acted upon. There are lots of ways of saying this like, go after what you want, take initative, and many others. Most of these seem a little more gung-ho than what I am trying to suggest. The big idea that the word proactive gives is that YOU are in control. Proactive can apply to anything and really should. Proactive goals meaning, YOU are in control of your goals. Proactive habits or again, YOU are in control of your habits. Then, what we have all been waiting for, proactive finances…I think you get it, but just in case, YOU, YOU, YOU are in control of your finances!

The majority of people with financial problems are not in control of their finances. In fact, sadly, their finances often control them. Here’s where the revolution on a personal level begins. Ideally it would be incredible if we could all just put ourselves on a tight budget, cut out the unnecessary and suddenly be in total control of the money we have going in and out. Let’s be honest, that is a far leap for most of us. Often those plans for control last a day or two, because we are trying to mentally create the control that we have never had, hence the financial problems.

Be financially proactive by training yourself to control your spending and saving. Start out with just one or two things that you know you can do and make sure you do them. You could pay $100 dollars a month more toward your credit card debts. You can start bringing lunch from home rather than going out to eat everyday. You can decide not to buy anymore miscellaneous items until you have paid off your debt. These things can actually make a huge difference as they add up and start relieving you of your financial worries. Of course that is only if you don’t increase your spending in other areas of your life. Only you can access your spending and saving fully. Look at your finances and choose a couple things to improve on then do them.

Here now is the greatest secret to proactive finances. When you start to control one area of your financial life and you feel that, you become empowered to make additional changes. Access yourself often, maybe every month. You could even schedule a specific time for this reflection on how your changes are coming. If they have been too hard, go easier. As you start to complete these goals add more changes to your financial future. The more of your financial life you are in control of the more you feel in control of it.

Make the goals. The time is now! As you make your finances proactive you will discover new power in you life. Proactive finances translate to more than just a balanced budget. Find financial freedom and join the revolution!