I took the last two weeks of January for myself and I really needed to do so.
I wanted to focus on not allowing things to carry over into the next month and inevitably the entire year.
I practice avoidance in my life for things I’m not ready to fully address, as I am sure many people do.
My biggest avoidance was money. I hated talking about money, assessing financials, anything of the sort felt like I was being bogged down.
I am (WAS!) that person who went weeks without looking at her bank account and was suddenly SHOCKED when I got the PNC alert that my account was under the $100 threshold after swiping my cord like I was in the Roy family (Clearly showing my Succession addiction now).
And when I got married to a financial savvy man that even furthered my agenda to avoiding money conversations because he took care of all that.
But somewhere down the line I realized I was allowing the money to have control over me because I wasn’t controlling how I managed my money.
So one Sunday, while crying once again about Sallie Mae and the depth of my student loans I decided I wouldn’t have this same turmoil every month and I would start taking charge and being responsible of how I was spending my money.
This mindset shift allows me to not check out of shopping carts at 2am because I happened to be waken up by the bellowing snore of my husband. It empowers me to NOT purchase Grubhub for 2x the actual price of a meal because I forgot to pack lunch and don’t want to eat the emergency soup stored at my desk. It also allows me to not feel like I have no control over not having money because I spent it all so blindly.
A helpful financial app I utilize is Digit:
This app automatically pulls money out of my account on a daily basis so it’s no effort on my part. I can even set up different goals I want to hit like: monthly dinners, gift giving, and trips.
Another helpful action is:
I started dividing my money as soon as I get paid so I’m not spending money that’s already accounted for.
Having a partner has really been a great support:
Cree created a financial plan with our joint accounts so my direct deposit automatically goes into their respective accounts.
Being realistic with my money gives me more control:
Once I am paid I look over the next two weeks of what expenses would be coming out and calculating the “fun funds” I actually have to spend.
Having a better understanding of my finances has given me freedom and authority to make better life decisions.
While I do believe money comes and goes, I know that being responsible of the money that comes so it doesn’t GO so quickly is an even better belief.
I spent a lot of these last two weeks to myself. Identifying the growth areas and being courageous enough to say “I will no longer avoid this and play the victim when the consequences of MY actions show face.”
I feel empowered and prepared to take on the blessings coming my way.
Because sometimes we are waiting for an opportunity from God, and he has it for you, he’s just waiting until YOU are actually ready.
So, cheers to January 2022.
No longer avoiding. No longer standing in the way of what’s coming. Only preparing for all that’s in store.
Stay motivated. Stay organized. Stay inspired.
Love,
JMoore
