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"Financial health is a conscious, purposeful attitude to money that brings satisfaction and not too much stress," says What it means to have a healthy relationship with money / Psych Central financial psychologist Brad Klontz. It includes the understanding that funds will be needed not only now, but also in the future. And also the ability to distinguish between what you really need and what you just want.
Do you have a healthy relationship with money:
Accordingly, if you spend a lot on nonsense , constantly owe someone, do not postpone for important goals and for a rainy day, your relationship with money cannot be called healthy.
The attitude to money originates in childhood, that's when we have "financial scenarios". These are beliefs about the means that guide our economic decisions in the future.
They are formed thanks to personal experience, family stories and the attitudes of parents. And most often we don't even notice them.
According to Klotz, some scenarios become B. Klontz, S. L. Britt, et al. Money beliefs and financial behaviors: Development of the Klontz Money Script Inventory / Journal of Financial Therapy the reason for low income during life. Especially these are scenarios:
"All of them correlate with sad financial consequences," Klonz emphasizes.
For example, people with an avoidance scenario refuse potentially lucrative offers, unconsciously try to get rid of money (by spending or donating it), only to not control them. These study participants earned less.
People with a scenario of deification of money are prone to unjustified financial risks, the desire to earn as much as possible (for example, through gambling or permanent work). They want to buy a lot and often accumulate debts. Those who consider money an indicator of status constantly compare themselves with others. They try to keep up with successful people and spend a lot on expensive things.
Public opinion also influences the perception of money.
Sometimes it creates the feeling that it is impossible to achieve financial well-being in a certain field of activity.
If you are used to hearing that all representatives of your profession receive very little, you develop deficit thinking.
Its bearers constantly notice what they don't have and envy others. They get used to thinking that it is simply impossible to achieve something better in their position. Scarcity thinking influences all the decisions we make. People stop believing in the possibility of change and dreaming. Do not look for new opportunities or refuse them.
We usually follow them unconsciously. To change these scenarios, you need to consciously bring them to light. Otherwise, they will continue to influence your actions without your knowledge. Here's what you should do.
Discontent, envy, jealousy, sadness often make you spend too much: purchases temporarily drown out these feelings. But it is important to understand that acquisitions will not help to get rid of them. But they can easily lead to debts and even more dissatisfaction with life.
Think about what you are missing, what you are trying to make up for with purchases.
For example, you can't go to the mall without buying a lot of unnecessary things. Perhaps the reason is that you are lonely, you are jealous of others or you are trying to drown out self-doubt with things. Identify the root and look for healthier ways to deal with it.
We often repeat the phrases "I wish I had more money" or "I really need to start saving", implying that more money will solve all our problems. We turn finance into an end in itself, although it is just a tool to achieve what we want.
Think first of all about the result of your actions, and not about the short-term emotions caused by purchases. This will help you protect yourself from impulsive spending.
Think about what is really important to you, what money is needed for (to pay for studies, travel). Based on this, identify priority expenses. For example, you like to try new food in different establishments, and you also dream of going to Iceland. Remembering this goal and perceiving money as a tool to achieve it, you will be able to save on cafes and other small entertainments.
Financial decisions often depend on mood. If we feel bad, we buy something to comfort ourselves. If we have achieved something, we reward ourselves with a pleasant acquisition. As a result, there is always a reason to spend money on something new.
Learn to notice such triggers and not to make purchases an encouragement. Stop yourself when you feel a momentary desire to acquire something. Remind yourself that you are just affected by the mood. Step away from the thing, get distracted by something else, and most likely you will see that you don't really need it.
Otherwise, you will always be a slave to money: you will have to live from paycheck to paycheck or even borrow. Enter the rule on payday to first of all set aside part of the funds and pay the bills. And only then plan how to spend the rest. Try to do this every month. Gradually, you will have an airbag and savings for important purposes.
