My education, career and passion is health. I work for the health department and healthy living is something I believe EVERYONE should take serious. Being healthy is part what you eat, and part how active you are. There are also other types of health, like mental, emotional and spiritual health. Well I have learned this year about Financial health. In my study of weight management I found that all those principles are the very same for controlling your financial weight.
Over weight and being in debt can hold some of the same problems. But these problems can be fixed with a little education and commitment. So if you are interested in losing some financial fat, look over some of my observations.
1. If someone wants to lose weight, they can count calories. For money, you count pennies.
2. If you really want to lose weight you exercise, for money you budget.
3. Weight loss doesn't happen over night, NEITHER does fixing your checkbook
4. Just because it looks like a lost cause doesn't mean it is, you can change at any time. For most people there is a breaking point.
5. Some get tummy tucks, some claim bankruptcy, both bad quick fixes.
6. Although both require dedication, there are rewards like a no guilt dessert, or purchase a new outfit. I celebrated by buying a new snowboard NOT ON CREDIT and 40% off!!!!
7. Taking care of your weight now, will save you problems when you are old! If you want to avoid heart attacks, or strokes you take care of what fat you eat now. Same goes for retirement. Start retirement NOW NOW NOW! That is the one thing I am super excited about. I started my retirement at the age of 25. And because I work for the state I qualify for a pension. And not only that, but once my debt is paid off I think I will start another savings in Mutual Funds. Can't have enough prevention funds!
8. Admitting you have a problem is a good first step. Once you have embraced you have a problem and would like to fix it you can create a social support. Having friends around that want to go to the gym with you, fix healthy meals with you are the same ones that want to budget with you, are excited about your debt-free life, and will save with you. Open up to them and the are a great source for help.
9. Stepping on a scale and checking your balance are both dreaded things. But being open with yourself and watch the lbs drop or your savings increase can be great things. And sometimes when you step on that scale and you ended up gaining instead of losing, or you have less money and a huge bill to pay, these are just minor set backs that should not get you distracted from your ultimate goal!
10. And MOST important thing I have learned, you just don't go on a diet, lose weight, then go back to your old habits. It takes good habits of eating and being active to maintain a healthy weight. The same goes for money. I can't just pay off debt then go back to my old spending habits. I have learned how much money is needed, and savings can save you a lot of trouble. Savings are amazing!
So if you have ever thought about losing weight, but have never thought about your income. Look again because your credit score is just as critical as cholesterol level!
If you have any more questions about financing or weight loss give me a call.
