We all know the drill, right? Save for a car, a house, the kids’ education, retirement… the list goes on! But somehow, life always seems to get in the way. Those little voices in our heads whisper excuses like, “I’ll start when I get a raise,” or “Next month, for sure!” or even, “I barely have enough for groceries, how can I save?”
Sound familiar? These excuses, they’re sneaky little thieves. They steal our financial mojo, push us into debt, and keep us from the things we truly want.
But here’s the secret: Saving, even a tiny amount, is like flipping a switch. Suddenly, you feel empowered. You’re taking control of your finances, not the other way around. It’s about learning to sacrifice a little now for a whole lot more later. And trust us, that feeling of control? It’s incredibly satisfying.
Think of it like planting a seed. You might not see the tree right away, but with consistent nurturing, it will grow.
Over the next few blog posts, we’re going to share the story of Sarah. She came to us with the same struggles many of you face. She wanted to start saving, but didn’t know where to begin. We’ll follow her journey as she breaks free from those excuses and discovers the power of financial empowerment.
Get ready to be inspired! Because if Sarah can do it, so can you. Let’s ditch the excuses and find our financial mojo together.
Who is Sarah?
Sarah is:
- 30 years old
- Single
- Studied Marketing and Psychology and graduated at age 24
- She works with students at a secondary and tertiary level providing career guidance and counselling
- She recently moved out of home
In our initial meeting with Sarah, we focused on three fundamental questions:
- What’s your time horizon for investing?
- What are your specific goals for saving?
- How much can you realistically set aside?
Sarah’s answers were, well, relatable. She wasn’t sure about the timeline, admitting she was better at planning for others than herself. Her reasons for saving were broad – a car, retirement – sparked more by a Facebook ad than a concrete plan. And like many of us, she wasn’t sure how much she could afford.
This isn’t unusual. We often know we should be doing something, but the “how” remains a mystery. The first step? Understanding where your money goes. A thorough assessment of your spending and expenses provides a clear picture.
Once we have that overview, we can determine what’s affordable, prioritize goals, and create a roadmap.
Overcoming the Hurdles: Challenges, Excuses, and Obstacles
This journey isn’t always smooth. It requires learning from mistakes, adjusting habits, and staying determined. We’ve seen it all: high-earners with the financial maturity of toddlers, and young adults with impeccable financial tracking.
This highlights some key truths:
- Age doesn’t equal financial maturity.
- Habits, good or bad, stick with us.
- High income doesn’t guarantee financial savvy.
It’s about managing what you have. If you’re in debt now, more money won’t necessarily solve the problem. Debt-to-income ratios often reflect lifestyle choices more than income.
Tackling the Excuses:
- “I don’t have enough”: Think of it as a financial drought. We conserve resources during tough times. Apply that same principle to your finances: cut back, ration, and get creative.
- “I’ll start when…”: That “when” often never comes. Delaying savings means missing out on the power of compound interest – growth on growth, a true financial wonder.
Sarah’s responses prompted a deeper dive into her financial plan, goals, and priorities. What started as “I want to save” evolved into a conversation about her dreams and long-term ambitions.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow Sarah’s journey!
If we are waiting for the perfect conditions to start saving we will be waiting forever.
Join Sarah in the coming posts as we explore the practical decisions Sarah can make.
Keep an eye out for the updates of Sarah’s Story
If you want to start the money management process or start saving contact us
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