Episode Details

Millions of people join the local gym in January, but many will quit within a few months. People also try to get their finances in order at the start of the new year, but soon drift back to their old ways of spending on consumer goods and maxing out their credit cards.

In this Money Tips Podcast episode:

1. It’s the things you do every day count not a few weeks of exercise or a crash diet
2. Money management is a lifelong process just like living a healthier lifestyle.
3. Learn money management using practical tools like the 3Rs of Money Management
4. Learn how to become a S.M.A.R.T Money Manager
5. Financial education is the key to financial freedom and happiness

I was at my gym today and noticed that it was more crowded because of the usual influx of the January new year joiners hoping to lose weight, get fit or lead a healthier lifestyle. That’s great, but how many will still be there in February or March?

Unfortunately, many of these new members will drop out within a few months and go back to their usual routine.

It’s the things you do every day count, not once in a while. Habits like, washing, brushing your teeth or taking a 30-minute walk will make a difference to your lifelong health.

If you really want to lose weight, get fit and live a healthier lifestyle, you need to change your habits.

Similarly, if you want to get out of debt and be financially free you need to change your spending and lifestyle habits.

Just like healthy eating or exercising, money-management is a lifelong process. If you stop it for a few months your finances will fall into disrepair, just like your muscles will deteriorate and you will gain weight if you stop going to the gym.

Don’t let the grass grow under your feet

You’ve got to keep on top of your finances and your health, as well as your relationships otherwise, as Jim Rohn used to say, the weeds will take the garden.

Money management

In my book, Yes, Money Can Buy You Happiness, I teach money management using practical tools like the 3Rs of Money Management and show you how to become a S.M.A.R.T Money Manager.

S.M.A.R.T Money Manager

S – Spend wisely avoiding expensive consumer debt

M – Manage and respect money and make informed decisions

A – Accumulate wealth over time taking the long-term perspective

R – Review finances on a regular basis and make appropriate changes

T - Track income and expenditure on a daily or weekly basis

Let’s take one lesson from the S.M.A.R.T Money Manager system.

T stands for:

Track income and expenditure on a daily or weekly basis.

This can be easily done using a free spreadsheet, an App or a good old notebook and pen.

Remember. Education is the key to your successful financial life. Children go through decades of formal education, but leave school or university with little or no financial knowledge.

Can you afford to retire?

Millions of people, or over 80% of the population, will either retire in poverty or not be able to afford to retire at all. What’s your strategy?

You can learn how to acquire income producing assets using other people’s money and other no money down strategies in order to become financially free.

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