Once you finally psych yourself up enough to actually look at your finances, are you like most people who only look at their current to not-so-distant future state of affairs? Do you look at the bills that are due and then decide which ones get paid based on the amount left over in your bank account?

It’s been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. It’s also been said you can’t solve a problem in the same environment in which it was created. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some past contributing factors to your present situation and how we can create a healthier financial future once and for all.

The Past:

You can’t know what you don’t know until you know it – which means up until now you’ve probably been operating with the same money mindset as your parent (and your parents’ parents and your parents’ parents’ parents), and since you can’t do better until you know better that is absolutely a-okay!

The Present:

This is where you keep the majority of your financial focus, on the day-to-day money hamster wheel of life. You spend what you have now on what you owe in the present, which makes it hard to see and save for what you’ll want and need in the future.

The Future:

Obviously you’re not there just yet, but keeping your “eye on the prize” is a great way to stay motivated and on track with your future goals. It helps you discern your present day wants versus needs, and it also allows you to celebrate each new revelation and spending habit you create.

So now let’s bring it all together. Here are some thought provoking questions that will help bridge the timeline as well as help make some positive changes in your money mindset:

The first step to change is awareness, so here are a few questions to ask yourself about The Past and how you got to where you are today in your finances:

1. What debt do I have and do I have a plan to pay it off?

2. What did I spend that money on to get me into debt and was it actually worth it?

3. What good financial decisions did I make?

Next come a few questions about The Present:

1. How should I start budgeting so I can improve this week? Next month? (Answer: https://jmvfinancialservices.com//3-ways-to-save-on-a-bare-bones-budget/)

2. What are some of my long-term goals?

3. Who can I get to help keep me on track?

And finally, to stay motivated about The Future, ask yourself:

1. Will I be leaving a legacy or debt for my family?

2. How important is it to me to change my future as well as my legacy’s?

3. What can I do on a daily basis to make my future goals and dreams a reality?

The main thing to remember is that there’s no shame in doing your best with the information you’ve been given. If you’re ready to start doing things differently so you can have different results, however, yet don’t know where to start…contact me! I know what you don’t so I can help you get what you want.