As January comes to a close, I hope you're settling into 2024 with a sense of excitement and enthusiasm for what lies ahead. As we prepare for an eventful year, we want to pause and extend our heartfelt appreciation for your ongoing support.

We've got so many exciting projects and plans in store, and we can't wait to share them with you.

But first: to kickstart 2024 with a financial boost, we have prepared a Hotline episode featuring valuable tips to transform your financial situation this year. Whether it's fostering a positive money mindset or implementing practical strategies for saving, we've got all the tools you need to make this your most financially successful year to date.

Let's make 2024 the year you achieve your money goals.

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You can listen (16 min) and subscribe here:

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How can we understand the roots of money worries?

It can be difficult to take a step back and know why we are feeling stressed about money. Sometimes, it's because we're facing a tough financial situation, and other times, it's like we've inherited thoughts about money from those around us.

I really like the analysis of inherited beliefs about money. Brad Klontz, a money psychologist, talks about something called "money scripts." These are like scripts for a play that we carry around in our heads, shaping how we think about money. There are four main characters in this script:

• Money Avoidance: This character tends to see money as a source of evil or stress, and avoiding it feels safer.

• Money Worship: On the flip side, this character believes that more money will solve all problems and bring happiness.

• Money Status: Here, the focus is on how much money we have compared to others, and it often links self-worth to financial success.

• Money Vigilance: This character is always on guard about money, cautious and careful, sometimes to the point of anxiety.

While you might not perfectly fit into one of these scripts, they give us clues about our approach to money. It's like looking at the blueprint of our money mindset. So, you can ask yourself which character do you recognise and how they influence your financial journey.

Research has consistently shown that mindfulness practices can help reduce stress, anxiety, and decision fatigue related to money matters. So what does that mean exactly?

Well, engaging in activities like meditation and mindful breathing has been linked to a reduction in cortisol, the stress hormone. This means that practising mindfulness contributes to an overall sense of calmness and improved emotional well-being. Plus, studies have shown that mindfulness practices can enhance cognitive function, making it easier to navigate financial decisions with clarity and focus.

So, what does mindful money management actually look like? Essentially, it means being fully present in the moment when we make financial choices. By doing this, we can make better decisions without feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

There are plenty of tools we can use to cultivate mindfulness in our financial lives. For example, budgeting allows us to plan how we use our money wisely, while spending mindfully means making choices that align with our goals. And let's not forget about saving! By setting aside money for our future selves, we can make our financial journey more intentional and enjoyable.

Overall, being mindful with our money means taking a step back and seeing our finances more clearly.

How can we cultivate a positive money mindset?

It's truly astonishing how our thoughts about money can significantly impact our financial outcomes. The way we perceive and think about money has the power to shape our financial reality.

When we harbour negative thoughts such as "I'll never have enough" or "Money is always stressful," it casts a shadow over our financial goals and aspirations.

However, we hold the key to transforming these mindsets.

• Enter two powerful tools: affirmations and visualisation. They will help you cultivate a positive money mindset.

• Affirmations act as little positive messages we repeat to ourselves, boosting our confidence and rewriting our money story. They have the power to shift our beliefs and attitudes towards money.

On the other hand, visualisation allows us to create a mental movie of our financial success. By vividly imagining ourselves achieving our financial goals, we can create a powerful and motivating image that propels us forward.

When used in tandem, affirmations and visualisation become our unwavering allies on the journey to cultivating a positive money mindset. Embracing these tools empowers us to reshape our thoughts and beliefs about money, leading to a more prosperous and fulfilling financial future.

How do I start being more proactive with my money?

When it comes to your finances, it's important to take control and be the one in the driver's seat. Instead of reacting to financial situations as they arise, embrace the power of being proactive.

Think of reactive decisions as catching a ball that has already been thrown at you, while proactive decisions are like having a game plan in place, ready to catch the ball before it even comes your way.

This is where the importance of planning comes into play. Rather than sprinting to catch a moving train, take a moment to pause, make a plan, and start taking ownership of your financial journey.

How do I create a plan for my finances?

When setting financial goals, start by reflecting on your core values and what truly matters to you. Visualize your ideal financial future to guide your goal-setting process. Prioritize your goals in order of importance and break them down into actionable steps to make them more attainable. Create a vision board and name your bank accounts to make your goals concrete and inspiring.

Before making purchases, ask yourself if they align with your values and financial goals. Practice mindful spending and introduce barriers to discourage impulsive purchases.

Explore the reasons behind impulse buying and consider allocating a specific pocket in your budget for it. Shift focus from material possessions to experiences that align with your values. Cultivate gratitude for what you already have before making new purchases. C

Celebrate small wins along your financial journey and stay open to adjusting your goals as circumstances change. Share your goals with a trusted friend or partner for accountability and support.

what about journaling?

Another important step in cultivating financial prosperity is practising gratitude journaling. It involves not just focusing on what we possess but valuing it on a deeper level.

Allow me to share my personal method:

• You will need to dedicate a specific time each day or week to focus on this exercise. It could be a few minutes during your morning routine or a quiet moment before bedtime.

• Keep a dedicated notebook or use a section in your existing journal to record your financial gratitude. Having a designated space helps create a ritual around the practice.

• Take a moment to reflect on positive financial occurrences, big or small. These could be reaching a savings goal, making a wise financial decision, or any instance where you felt a sense of financial well-being.

• When you identify a moment of financial gratitude, write down the specifics. Describe what happened, how it made you feel, and why it matters to you.

• As you write, allow yourself to genuinely feel gratitude for these moments. It could be gratitude for financial stability, opportunities, or lessons learned.

• Review and reflect: Periodically review your entries. This reflection allows you to see patterns of positivity in your financial life and reinforces a mindset of gratitude. It can be a source of encouragement during challenging times.

finding the motivation to keep going

It's crucial to remember the importance of reflecting on your financial goals to keep them vibrant and motivating in your mind.

• Use a visual tracker to monitor your progress toward each financial goal. This could be a simple chart or graph that you update regularly. For example, incorporating colouring sheets into your debt repayment or saving journey can add a fun and visually rewarding element to your progress tracking.

• Schedule regular check-ins with yourself to review your financial goals. Reflect on what's working well, any challenges you've encountered, and adjustments needed.

• Break your financial goals into smaller milestones. Celebrate each achievement, no matter how small. Acknowledging milestones boosts morale and keeps you motivated for the next steps.

• Create small affirmation cards for each financial goal. Write a positive affirmation related to the goal on the card and keep them in a place where you can easily see and read them daily.

Feel free to revisit these notes as a way to nurture and cultivate a wealthy mindset. As we move into the coming year, we strongly believe that incorporating mindfulness into our financial practices can greatly enhance our overall well-being. Take a moment to reflect on your financial habits and consider how integrating mindfulness can positively impact and shape your financial journey.

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