How to manage your personal finances in 2023?
Hi girls! It’s me, Cíndy, your “save and invest your money” bestie and I am back with a new blog post inspired by one of the many personal financial books I have read lately, that changed my life and will most likely improve yours too!
I have recently read the book "Your Money or Your Life" based on a set of financial principles and practices that are designed to help us improve our financial well-being and achieve financial independence. This is a topic that speaks a lot to me as I take to heart helping and educating women from any background to learn to take care of their personal finances in order to be able to spend time doing things they love, without having to worry about their financial security too much.
After the intense year that 2022 was for investors (including myself), I don't want to speak to you about investing into stocks or crypto at the moment, but rather want to help you first understand and learn more about how you can take care and manage your personal finances in 2023 in order to feel more safe and free in your everyday life.
Here is my overview of the 9 steps I learned in the book "Your Money or Your Life"with clear examples, so that you can spare some time and money, not having to read the book yourself!
1) Track your spending
For example, you could keep a record of all your expenses for a month, including your fixed and variable expense such as your bills, groceries, gas, shopping (especially the shopping you made because TikTok or Instagram made you buy it) and any other spending. This will help you see where your money is actually going and identify areas where you may be able to cut back or save more. The easiest way to track this is by making a simple google excel document.
2) Determine your values
Make a list of the things that are most important to you, such as your family, your health, your career, or your hobbies. This will help you prioritize your spending and ensure that you are using your money in a way that aligns with your own values.
3) Calculate your net worth
You could add up the value of your assets (such as your savings, investments, and property) and subtract your liabilities (such as your debts and mortgages if any). This will give you a snapshot of your financial health and help you set goals for improving it.
4) Calculate your true hourly wage
For example, divide your annual income by the number of hours you work each year, taking into account the opportunity cost of your time and the taxes and other expenses associated with your income. This will help you understand the true value of your time and make more informed decisions about how to use it. Spoiler alert, most of us are earning less than we are worth. Learn to know your worth and don't forget to add tax! ;)
5) Create a budget
Create a budget that includes your income, expenses, and savings goals. This might involve setting limits on your spending, such as only eating out once a week or only buying items that are on sale. I know, it's not exciting but if you want to build freedom and wealth for yourself, you are going to need to start focusing on a long term vision. I have read two other books that help you understand the importance of delayed gratification; "Atomic habits" and "The Compound effect".
6) Increase/diversify your income(s)
To do so, you could either ask for a raise at work, start a side hustle (what if your hobby could start making you earn some extra money? Think about it!), or find a new job that pays more.
This will give you more financial flexibility and help you reach your financial goals faster. If none of these are possible just now, focus on your budget and adopt a more frugal approach to your life until you find a way to increase your income.
7) Pay off your debt(s)
For example, you could focus on paying off high-interest debt first, such as credit card debt or student loans if you have any. This will help you reduce your overall financial burden and improve your financial stability.
8) Invest for the long term
You could save money in a retirement account, such as a 3rd Pillar (for my Swiss girls), or invest in other assets, such as stocks, crypto or real estate. This will help you build wealth over time and prepare for the future.
9) Make a plan for your future
For example, you could set long-term financial goals, such as saving for a down payment on a house or retiring by a certain age (Hopefully in our 40's if not before!). You could then make a roadmap for achieving these goals, including steps such as increasing your income, paying off debt, and investing for the long term. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you are making progress towards your financial goals.
That's it for today, I hope you found this post useful and if you have any questions, you know where to find me!
Bisous, bisous,
Your “save and invest your money” bestie
Disclaimer:
My content is about education, not financial advice.
These are my only official accounts: @cocorebelista on IG and same on all other social media.
Please ignore any other account(s) pretending to be me. If you are not sure, reach out to me first, use your common sense.
I will never contact you first, ask you any questions or send you any DM or email asking you to click on any links! :)
