Hey Money Fam! Today I have an awesome guest post for you by She’s On The Money, a resident personal finance blogger over at mozo.com.au. If you aren’t really good at keeping New Year resolutions or just want to change up your approach in 2018, she has 4 great money mottos and anecdotes to share. Happy Reading Folks! – Carmen
I have a secret: I can’t keep a New Year’s Resolution to save my life. From promising not to buy lunch at work every single day, to telling myself I’ll finally finish a Netflix series before people start tweeting spoilers, I just don’t deal well with the pressure of a resolution. Instead, I prefer to start every year by picking out a motto for myself – a jaunty, easy-to-remember phrase that will keep me on track for the next 12 months, without making me feel guilty about slipping up every now and then.
If you’re new to the whole motto business, it can be tricky to pick the right one to really encapsulate what you want to get out of the new year. So to help out, here are four financial mottos that have worked for me in the past:
1. Good things come to those who chase them
When I was an obnoxious kid whining that dinner wasn’t ready at the exact moment I wished it was, my mom would tell me, “good things come to those who wait.” Well, sorry Mom, but in 2018, it’s time to face up to the fact that nothing comes free, and awesome things aren’t going to fall into your lap (dammit). This is the year of hustling, the year of haggling, the year of working your butt off to get where you want to be. Want a raise? Ask for it. Want a better interest rate on your home loan? Put your big girl panties on and haggle until you get it. Want extra chocolate sauce on your sundae? Don’t just cross your fingers and hope for a machinery malfunction – demand the sauce you deserve.
2. What you want most is more important than what you want right now
Life is all about priorities. For example, cuddling on the lounge with my cat and a big bowl of pasta is more important to me than most social engagements. And having the best hair-do in the room is of equal importance to getting an extra ten minutes of sleep in the morning, a fact which causes me no end of heartache. This year, knowing what you really want from your finances – what you want today, tomorrow and will want in 5 years time – as opposed to what you only want as a passing fancy is key to success. I want to eat Thai takeout every day BUT I’m going to stop doing that because what I really want in my heart of hearts, deep down in my soul, is to someday escape the hellish Sydney rental market and own a house. That’ll be the day.
3. There’s no shame in second hand
I have a friend who refuses to shop in thrift shops, second hand stores or sometimes even the sale section, because she’s embarrassed by it. This is incomprehensible to me. She thinks that everyone in Goodwill is looking at her, thinking to themselves, “Oh, look at her, she can’t afford a new, full price pair of pumps, how pathetic,” when really, they’re looking at a single, lonely pair of Louis Vuittons marked down by 50% and thinking, “I could wear a size 7. After all, I usually only take a 9 – that’s not a big difference.” My point is, if you love some retail therapy, this year you should embrace thrift shopping to save some cash.
4. I don’t need that
This motto, if you stick to it, offers you a blissful feeling of complete freedom along with saving you money. The newest iPhone when yours still works perfectly? “I don’t need that.” That expensive gym membership you used twice last year? “I don’t need that.” The stress that comes from a dwindling bank balance in the days before your paycheck hits? “I don’t need that.” It’s all about taking control of yourself, your life and your finances in 2018 and learning when to say no to treating yourself today, so that Future You can reap the benefits.
buy Gabapentin 300 mg She’s On The Money is the resident personal finance blogger over at mozo.com.au, bringing you the cutting edge of money matters, along with a side serve of good old fashioned dad jokes.
Subscribe
To receive where can i buy stromectol 14 Free Budget Sheets and emails on the latest and greatest from Make Real Cents!
Todd Fontaine says
Great info. You continue to drop nuggets every post
Carmen says
Todd!
I’m glad you liked it. This was actually a guest post put together by @Shesonthemoney. I absolutely love love love the mottos she put together. #1 is my favorite.
Rick says
She’s on the Money nails it again. Love the quirky twists that make the piece fun to read. Keep it coming.
Damn Millennial says
Great list Carmen. Your site is looking really good!