One word that you’ve probably heard a lot in your life is “respect.” In fact, there are probably few areas of your life that you’ve not been told that you should respect – except when it comes to your money.
If you want to get a better handle on your finances and put an end to the money dramas that keep sabotaging your financial security, you really need to learn how to treat your money with respect.
In my mind I can see that quizzical look on many of your faces as you read these words. You may even be thinking something along the lines of: “That sounds great, but just what does it mean to ‘respect my money’?”
Essentially it means that you understand and appreciate what money can do for you. Money is your friend, not your enemy. Respecting your money means that you recognize it for what it is – a powerful tool that must be used and managed wisely so that it can help you better your life and the lives of others.
When we don’t respect our money, we act in an irresponsible manner with it. Instead of using it to help us achieve our goals and dreams, we may squander it away, trying to keep up with the proverbial Joneses. When we disrespect our money, we allow guilt or other bad money habits and behaviors to interfere with its proper use and management.
Here are some of the telltale signs that you don’t respect your money:
You have a love hate relationship. You want money and can’t wait to get your hands on it, but when it comes you can’t get rid of it fast enough. Spend, spend and spend until suddenly there is nothing left. You’ve gone from money feast back to the money famine you know so well.
You speak with disrespect about money. Money isn’t that important to me. Money is a pain. Easy come easy go. Money is the root of all evil. Managing money does my head in. If this is what you tell yourself about money, why would money want to come to you? You’re talking yourself right out of prosperity.
You show no love to your cash.Your notes are just shoved into your wallet, all scrunched up and out of order. Your coins are tossed carelessly onto the nearest flat surface and left there. Would you do that to your hobby or work tools? No. So don’t do it to the one tool that will help bring you the standard of living you so desire.
Your bookkeeping is non-existent. I hate numbers. Bookkeeping bores me to tears. We’ve got enough money to pay for dinner, right? So who cares if the books are up to date! How about looking at it this way. Your money needs to be cared for so why not give it a comfortable, clean home? When your books are neat and up to date, you and your money can both rest easy.
Need a little more insight to decide if you are treating your money with the respect that it needs and deserves?
Try asking yourself some of the following questions:
- Do you approach your money and its management with a wealth mindset, or are your money decisions still based in fear?
- Have you cleared the clutter in your life, both physically and mentally, to make room for abundance?
- Is your money helping you live the life you want to live, or do you keep taking two steps back for each step forward?
- Do you have a financial plan that helps you get a handle on your finances, or are you still living in debt denial?
- Have overspending, living in debt or a lack of savings made you stressed over your finances?
- Do you know your financial goals and are you making progress towards them, or do you keep falling behind, despite your best efforts?
If you can honestly answer “Yes,” to any of these questions, you may not be treating your money with the respect that it needs to help you thrive and prosper. It’s time to return some balance to your finances and way of life.
Financial coaching can give you the tools that you need to help you repair your relationship with money and start treating it with respect. That’s where I come in. I’m here to help and I’d love to chat with you. If you’d like to talk to me about money and how to care for it, get in touch today.
