This topic is probably one of the hardest topics for people to achieve.  It’s about making changes in your life or lifestyle.  After all, you’re comfortable with the way things are.  But let’s be honest.  Is your financial life really the way you want it?  If so, then great.  Keep things the same.  But if not, and you want things to improve financially, then you’re going to have to make some changes.  And yes, I know; everyone hates change.

Lets take a good look at where you might be.  Are you spending every penny, running up credit cards, or not saving for retirement?  Do you want to buy a house and your credit scores are terrible?  Is there too much month at the end of the money?  How’s that working for you?  Are you able to sleep at night or do you fret over bills you can’t pay?  Is that the life you really want to continue?  If not, perhaps it’s time to make some serious changes.

I will tell you that making changes in your life is probably the most difficult step you’ll have to take.  I had pretty much hit rock bottom after hubby died and knew something had to change.  I couldn’t continue living where I was and not paying most of my bills without consequences.  Some of you may have experienced some of the things I went through.  Losing almost everything you spent years working for is not fun.  But it is repairable if you’re willing to change what you’re doing.

So what did I do?

I changed my living arrangement to something a lot more affordable.  I changed my mindset from spending to saving.  I realized the difference between needs and wants and only spent on needs for a long time.  I realized I needed a budget that would include spending and saving that was doable.  And the budget needed to be something I could stick to.  Every penny of income was allocated.  

My whole mindset towards money had to change.  It became a tool towards achieving goals I had set for myself such as purchasing another home.  Money wasn’t just something I had in my pocket burning a hole.  My attitude had to change to not spend money as quickly as I got it.

So the moral of today’s post is:

Financial security comes with making changes in your life.  It’s not just about having an income and making budgets.  It’s about saving, and not spending needlessly.  Changes come with the need for how you allocate your funds, how you spend your money, and getting a savings mentality.  It truly is a mental exercise that takes time to develop.  So set your goals, as I discussed yesterday.  Then start the mental preparation on how you’re going to achieve those goals.  Start making the changes in your life to accomplish everything you set in motion.