Featured Blog : LIFE: Live Inspired, Financially Empowered

Written by Amy Jo Lauber

My mission: I help people make good financial decisions with confidence. My purpose: I help people find peace with money. As President of Lauber Financial Planning, I provide financial advice, guidance, and coaching on a fee-only basis (no products, no commissions). I run a monthly support group called “I HATE Budgeting (But I Like Having Money)”, offer classes and seminars, speak around the world on the psychological, sociological, spiritual, and emotional aspects of personal finance, and am the author of the ground-breaking book, “Living Inspired and Financially Empowered: Aligning Our Spiritual and Material Lives.”

May 2, 2018

104 Ways to Feel Better About Your Financial Situation

  1. This too shall pass.
  2. Even if it takes a long time, you will get to the other side of this.
  3. You are not alone, even though it feels that way. Lots of people struggle, you just don’t know because people don’t talk about money.
  4. “Money is only a tool.  It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.” – Ayn Rand
  5. You are capable of making good decisions.
  6. You have many options, including doing nothing at all.
  7. You can get quiet and realize you have all you need to choose the path that’s right for you.
  8. The world may tell you that you’re wrong but you don’t have to believe it.
  9. You may doubt yourself but the fact that doubt makes you feel yucky means it’s a lie.
  10. If you are vacillating it means you’re listening to conflicting voices/opinions. Find your own and follow it.
  11. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, it happens to everyone. It doesn’t mean anything.
  12. Sleep on it.
  13. Talk to someone you trust.
  14. As my Mom would say, “Pray for guidance and go accordingly.”
  15. If you’re normally pessimistic (even if you prefer to think of it as being “realistic”), try on optimism for a half an hour today.
  16. Worry gives you the illusion that you’re controlling things but really it’s the worry that’s controlling you and is keeping you stuck.
  17. If you’re a worrier by nature, set a time limit (such as 15 minutes) for your worry time for the day. Once the time is up, so is your commitment to worrying.
  18. Did those 15 minutes change anything?
  19. Since they did not, realize that the difference between worrying about money and thinking about money is that thinking about money results in a decision.
  20. A decision is an off-ramp from the worry highway.
  21. Every incremental decision you make to become more whole, more at peace, makes you more whole and at peace.
  22. When faced with a financial decision, realize the emotion backing it. Name it. Then it won’t have power over you.
  23. If the emotion is fear-based, identify the worst case scenario or outcome and then ask yourself, “What is the probability of this outcome?”
  24. If the probability’s less than 100% move on. It’s just a distraction.
  25. Sometimes we create obstacles to give us time to process a decision.
  26. Acknowledge that you need time and perspective so you don’t have to rely on the obstacle(s).
  27. Anything can happen.
  28. Including the incredibly easy, joy-filled, good stuff.
  29. Just because it isn’t easy doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
  30. Just because it is easy doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
  31. Everyone is on their own journey.
  32. All your best decisions are those made in love.
  33. Ask yourself what love-based decisions look like so you’ll recognize when you’re making them.
  34. Have you noticed that most of these can be applied to other areas of life?
  35. Find an area of your life that’s going well and duplicate those behaviors in your financial life.
  36. “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” – Socrates
  37. If you can be impulsive, get to know yourself so well so that when you do act on impulse, you can trust that it’s the right move to make.
  38. If you don’t know what is important to you you’ll continue to wander and squander.
  39. You can always choose a different path.
  40. “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” ~ Anatole France
  41. Your ego will always tell you that you are not good enough, that you don’t have enough, and that you’re not doing enough.
  42. Your ego is a liar.
  43. Since your ego does not like being called a liar, it will continue to try to make you believe it. Prepare for battle. Cross examine this false witness.
  44. “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
  45. If financial security is your goal, what does financial security look like? Is it a certain amount in savings? Not having debt?
  46. If you’re on a mission to increase your savings, keep a little note in your wallet or on your phone that has a reminder. You’ll look at it every time you open your wallet or phone for something else.
  47. If you’re on a mission to decrease your debt, keep a little note in your wallet or on your phone that has a reminder. You’ll look at it every time you open your wallet or phone for something else.
  48. “Our beliefs are the invisible ingredients in all our activities.” ~Wayne Dyer
  49. Regret is the most expensive emotion. It is a bill you’ll pay the longest.
  50. Decide when your bill-of-regret is paid-in-full.
  51. Practice forgiveness (towards yourself and others) for financial mishaps.
  52. Practice again.
  53. Practice some more.
  54. Where you are now financially isn’t where you’ll be forever unless you choose to remain there.
  55. It’s typical to choose to remain in your current situation because it feels familiar and the unknown is scary.
  56. But how scary can it be, really?
  57. Imagine how your life, your relationships, your health, your perspective, etc. might change if your financial situation were to improve.
  58. Even if your financial situation didn’t improve, how might those things change?
  59. Don’t fear the numbers. The more you know, the more you can control.
  60. The more you know, the more you can choose.
  61. The thought of having to choose (and possibly choosing “wrongly”) is why most people procrastinate or avoid thinking about money.
  62. Procrastination will leave you feeling frustrated. Don’t put up with it.
  63. Avoidance lies to you by saying that it will protect you.
  64. Don’t fall for its lies.
  65. Avoidance really keeps you stuck and can lead to despair.
  66. Success is purely subjective.
  67. I don’t have to replicate someone else’s results to consider mine successful.
  68. Define what “success” means to you.
  69. Progress is positive.
  70. Lack of progress is a lesson in patience.
  71. And patience is a virtue.
  72. Just look how virtuous you are!
  73. Is there any proof that you’re financially messed up?
  74. Even if there is proof, is there any proof that you can’t straighten things out?
  75. You will be motivated by what you most value in the deepest part of you. Look at it.
  76. If you value freedom, what choices can you make financially that will help you be free?
  77. If you value comfort, what choices can you make financially that will help you feel comfortable?
  78. If you value security, what choices can you make financially that will help you feel secure?
  79. If you value _________what choices can you make financially that will help you feel _____________?
  80. As Joel Osteen says, “Speak victory over your life.” Instead of saying “I’m a financial mess,” say, “I used to be a mess financially but now things are starting to improve.”
  81. Give yourself a break.
  82. “Be grateful…. It’s the only totally reliable get-rich-quick scheme.” —Ben Stein,
  83. Before tackling a financial task (balancing your checkbook, paying bills, researching your retirement plan) create a pleasant environment. Read Money “Mise en Place.”
  84. Learn how to say “no” without guilt.
  85. Learn how to say “yes” with courage and confidence.
  86. Don’t make any impactful financial decisions when you’re under stress.
  87. To avoid #81, create financial policies for yourself.
  88. When you or anyone else feel afraid, it usually comes out as anger. Once you know this, you’re less likely to respond with anger.
  89. Some of your money must be for your enjoyment or you will become bitter and resentful. Allow yourself some treats.
  90. Judging yourself or anyone else doesn’t offer any benefit and changes nothing.
  91. You can do everything you believe you’re “supposed” to do with your money and still not have the results you desire.
  92. Determine what actions make sense to you.
  93. “Make all decisions based on the person you would like to become.” – Paul Homoly
  94. Emotions can distort our vision, especially when it comes to money. Take a breath and return when you’re calmer and clearer.
  95. Give up your addiction to comparing yourself to others.
  96. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt
  97. Your credit score doesn’t define you as a person.
  98. Almost everyone is weird about money, it’s not just you.
  99. Try to determine who is in your head as you think or worry about money. Did you inherit thoughts from a parent? Who is influencing you?
  100. Reading about personal finance can be a very clever form of procrastination if you don’t act on anything.
  101. It’s okay if you can’t afford it.
  102. Generosity is always a good choice.
  103. “Empty pockets never held anyone back.  Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.”  ~Norman Vincent Peale
  104. What one small step might you take this minute that could set you on a more positive path financially? Leave your ideas in the comments!

The above blog is by Amy Jo Lauber originally published on her blog page.

About the author: My mission: I help people make good financial decisions with confidence. My purpose: I help people find peace with money. As President of Lauber Financial Planning, I provide financial advice, guidance and coaching on a fee only basis (no products, no commissions). I run a monthly support group called “I HATE Budgeting (But I Like Having Money)”, offer classes and seminars, speak around the world on the psychological, sociological, spiritual and emotional aspects of personal finance, and am the author of the ground-breaking book, “Living Inspired and Financially Empowered: Aligning Our Spiritual and Material Lives.”

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