4 Simple Ways To Reach Your Financial Goals This Year

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The definitive guide to SAVING MONEY & getting your financial goals within easy reach! Finance, Money, Money Saving, Frugal Living, Goals 2019 Goals

Taking control of your finances may be too “adulting” for some of us, but fact is, we have to be savvy when it comes to these things. If we want to buy that nice outfit, go on that holiday, or even look to bigger purchases like your first home, car or holiday home. Then the only way to achieve them is by really budgeting your spending & working towards those goals!
Don’t worry, I’ve got your back, they don’t call me ThrifDee for nothing! 😉
So sit back & follow my simple ways to easily reach those goals you’ve been aiming for.

This is a collaborative post & contains Affiliate Links full disclosure can be found on my Disclaimer page.

#1 Figuring out your financial situation

First things first. Before you start thinking of all the wonderful goals you can set for yourself you need to take a step back & figure out your financial situation – obviously?! Start by beginning to live within your actual means to reduce the stress of paying big bills later. This unfortunately means cutting down on excessive spending – Boo! Calculate how much money you have coming in & going out, then work out how you can cut down on your outgoings. See how you can reduce your spending in order to put more money towards reaching those all important goals.

#2 Decide what you need/want

Needs Vs wants? Well, do you NEED that $4 Frappucino? What about that plush throw for the living room you just paid 45 quid for? Most probably not! so, this is the point, you need to look ahead at any upcoming expenses you may incur that will affect your goal setting & work them into your budget. Try making a list of needs/wants you can by all means, still get those wants! Just work towards it instead of splurging & being tight pocketed later! My wants/not needed list goes a little something like this –

  • Eating out (Can I copycat takeaway’s at home & save the money?)
  • Impulse clothing buys
  • Impulse home decor purchases
  • Entertainment (Movies etc)
  • Cosmetic purchases (Do I need that expensive Vitamin C Serum?)
  • Gift purchases

This is when you can start to look ahead. For instance, if you currently rent your home do you feel its time to now own your own home? Is your car due an upgrade? Do you have an emergency fund? These are the big things you can begin working towards. Once you know what you want, go get it!

#3 Make a budget

Lets face it. If you’re living without a budget, you’re just living one pay check to the next. That’s no way to live! You want full control & have a handle on what’s going to come in the future. It’s no use living this way how will you ever save up for the things you want? What if you get sick & need an emergency fund? Well if you don’t budget, I’m pretty sure there will be no emergency money for you to fall back on, that’s why budgeting is so important! Write out everything so it’s clear in front of you. Get a pen & paper & work out your fixed monthly spending & make cuts where needed.

#4 Set your goals

Simplifying your needs will help you achieve your goals. Be smart about setting your goals. They need to be suited to your financial situation. Meaning, if you are in any debt you need to concentrate on paying that off before splurging out. Be smart with your money!
I know telling yourself no to that impulse clothes buy or a trip away becomes harder. It’s easy to give into temptation & come off track with your savings plan. But you must be consistent when working towards your goals or you’ll never achieve them!

Ask yourself ‘why’

With any goal that involves a little hard work, it’s good to have a regular reminder of why you wanted to achieve it in the first place. Keeping your reasons why in focus can be an important way to convince yourself to stay on track when you’re tempted not to stick to the plan. Say your intention is to buy a family home. You’ve made a budget, used a mortgage loan calculator to work out what you can afford, & come up with a plan to get you to your target. But the end result seems so distant. You’re saying no to going to dinner with friends for what seems like the millionth time & you start to think about your pot of savings. You’ve done well so far but the amount you need still seems so far away. Motivate yourself! Maybe try & browse some property listings for inspo, or create a Pinterest board of your dream kitchens – anything that will keep the big goal in sight. Making a commitment to save isn’t just one big choice – it’s a series of little choices made on a daily basis. Write down your reasons for wanting to move – it could be making a fresh start in a new country, or starting a family. Reconnect with those reasons & that feeling whenever you want to spend.

Reach those milestones & visualize

To keep the goal feeling manageable set milestones & celebrate your progress along the way with a small treat now & then. Nobody said this had to be dismal! Having a little manageable treat makes you more aware of how far you’ve come & creates a positive cycle where you feel like you can achieve what you want to! Also help yourself visualize your desired outcomes to help you achieve your goals, You are more likely to succeed if you get into the habit of picturing a positive outcome. Spend time regularly thinking in depth about what it will be like when you get to your goal. Imagine how it will feel to walk across that stage collecting your MBA, or handing in your notice to go traveling for six months & explore the world? Think about the sights, sounds & the detail. Make it as real as possible. Not only is this a great way to stay on track, but it makes a positive outcome far more likely.

Hey have you managed to get a hold of your financial goals? Are they achievable? Is there anything else you’d like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below & don’t forget to share!

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3 Comments

  1. 25/03/2019 / 2:41 pm

    This is all such good advice! It’s so hard to force yourself to categorize your wants versus your needs sometimes. I really need to put some of this into action!

  2. 20/03/2019 / 5:16 pm

    Budgeting is SO important! I have my budget completely set up but working in a leasing office I see people every day that terrify me with how they prioritize or just thoughtlessly spending money. Great post!

    • ThrifDee77
      21/03/2019 / 2:28 pm

      Thanks Lauren! You’re next level adulting, I like it! 🙂

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