We cannot escape the human world. We are all here to have a human experience and along with this human experience comes learning how to deal with Money.
Money is an emotional topic for many people and often there is a lot of fear carried around money. This is understandable because the average American is likely to have a huge debt (ie. student loans) before they even enter the workforce.
This can very quickly start a vicious cycle of feeling forever burdened by money and can create the feeling of never having enough.
In fact, the fear of not having enough can grip most people into staying with jobs they hate or never going after their dreams. On top of that, over 75% of Americans have stated that their stress levels surrounding money are impacting on their health and emotional well being.
But let’s look a little deeper…..Where does this fear of money really stem from?
When you fear not having enough, it is often because you believe that you, yourself are not enough- that you are not resourceful, tactful or smart enough. It also indicates that you do not trust the infinite, abundant energy that makes up everything in this Universe, including you.
We live in an abundant Universe which means that there is enough abundance and money for everyone to tap into. Abundance is not something that you seek or create, abundance is already there, it is just waiting for you to connect with it.
While this is all well and good, money is real and tangible and often we need real and tangible strategies to help support us.
Here are 10 strategies that may help you view money in a healthier, more positive light:
1.) Create a Budget: Make a list of all your expenses and your income. If you are spending more than you are making you definitely need to make some changes. Go through your expense list and work out what you can let go of. Try to work out what is truly essential and what you can live without. Here are a few suggestions to help you cull your expenses:
– Switch from cable TV to an online streaming system like Netflix
– Buy produce at farmers markets not grocery stores
– Take a packed lunch to work instead of buying lunch everyday
– Take advantage of store coupons and sales
– Have meals ready to go to avoid ordering takeout
2.) Manage your Debt: If you have debt, you must work to pay it off as fast as you can, especially if you are paying interest. You may just owe $5,000 on a credit card for example, but if you are paying interest over time this loan can quickly add up. To give you an example, say you have this $5,000 loan in a 12.78% credit card. In just 10 years, this small loan is now worth about nine times ($44,235) what it was originally.
3.) Save: No matter how little you think you earn, there is always room to put away some savings. Even if it’s just a few dollars a week it will add up over time. Include your savings in your expenses so it becomes a mandatory habit. Saving not only establishes good habits but it also subconsciously makes us feel protected and that we have a buffer incase we ever need it.
4.) Shift Your Focus: Instead of focussing on how little you have, why not focus on how much you have? We live in an energetic Universe that responds in-kind to the thoughts (energy) we emit. When you focus on more, you get more. When you focus on less, you get less. Try to practice gratitude for all that you have and know that through your gratitude you open the door to receiving more.
5.) Know Your Worth: Many of us are scared to ask for a raise out of fear of being turned down or even fired. If you really feel that you deserve a raise and have been working at your current job for some time, it is definitely ok to ask. Come up with a solid negotiation for why you deserve a raise and be confident and open with your approach. Have a strategy in place for what you will do if you are turned down- are you ok with staying or is it time to move on? Fun fact: One study found that women who consistently negotiated their salaries increased their lifetime compensation by $1 million.
6.) Open an IRA: There are some fantastic funds that allow you to invest into low risk investments that can yield high rewards over time. Most IRA’s accept just $5,500 a year and offer compounded interest of up to 8%. That means that in just 10 years your yearly investment could be $90,000 which is almost double your initial investment. If you are interested, I would highly recommend reading Tony Robbins book – Money Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom.
7.) Visualization: Our thoughts really do become our reality. On top of thinking positive, why not spend a few minutes each day visualizing that all your needs are being met and that all of your finances are stress free, abundant and in order. Close your eyes and really visualize what it feels like to be free from the stress of money, really visualize what your perfect money ‘picture’ looks like. Do this for just a few minutes each day or whenever you feel stressed about finances. Try repeating a mantra too such as – “For every dollar I give away, three come my way” (this is my favorite) or “I have an abundance of prosperity and financial wealth and all my needs are being met” etc…
8.) Supplemental Income: If your expenses are still high and asking for a raise in not on the agenda, why not consider picking up some part time work on the side? It doesn’t have to be anything major, even helping out for a few hours as a babysitter, homework tutor, dog sitter etc. can add additional income that can go towards your expenses. Alternatively, why not sell some of your old clothes on eBay or if you are good at crafts sell your items on Etsy- every little bit counts!
9.) Feng Shui: This ancient Chinese art offers guidance on how to create a living space that is inline with the energy you wish to receive. It works on the principle that the positioning of certain objects in your house or office can create either an energetic block or an energetic harmony. Here are 8 Feng Shui tools for attracting money.
10.) Ask for Divine Support: There are countless stories of people receiving checks out of the blue, scoring amazing deals on their rent and receiving free things wherever they go. Miracles can happen and if you remain open enough and in the flow of gratitude and abundance, you never know what will come your way.
