MONEY HACK + SANITY SAVER

Are you counting coins each week just to get by? Been there, done that, and it’s not fun. Here are some ideas you could try to ease the drain on family funds and stretch your budget.

• The Barefoot Investor: read the book or listen to the audiobook and then put it into action! Simple, practical advice on how to manage your money. There’s also a version for families that gives you ideas to try with your kids.
• Shopping delivery: Also mentioned in the ‘Time Hacks’ post… but worth mentioning here too. Save $$ by getting your groceries delivered. Buy expensive items when they are on special, stock up on popular items when they are on special, avoid impromptu purchases. I get paid fortnightly, so I do a big shop on pay weeks and a small top-up shop on the off weeks.
• Be budget savvy: The key to managing your money well is to know how you are earning and spending it. Sounds simple, I know. But you’d be surprised at how many people act like Ostrich’s when it comes to finances. Make a simple budget and stick to it. If you need help, there are plenty of organisations who can help, as well as free templates and guides online. Here are three places you can start:
  1. Check the resources page on your banks’ website – most banks have budget templates or planners available.
  2. Google’ family budget template’ or ‘household budget template’, download one and start understanding where your money is going.
  3. Check out ‘My Budget’ or similar if you’d prefer some external assistance to get you started and keep you on track. Disclaimer: I haven’t personally used this service myself, but I know people who have, and they rave about it.
• Be prepared: One of the hardest things to deal with when you are living paycheque to paycheque is the unexpected bill that sideswipes you with no warning – the broken window, replacing a hot water cylinder, or the fridge suddenly deciding not to work. Start a bank account (preferably away from your other bank accounts – even with a different bank to make it less accessible). Set up an automatic payment into it each payday, and don’t touch it for anything other than these unexpected instances.
• Motivate yourself: Having a great reason to change your money habits for the better is a key to sticking with it and not be tempted to dip into the money jar. Having a goal to save money isn’t going to cut it unless you connect with the benefits on an emotional level. Get clear on how it would feel to have more than you could ever need at any time. It’s possible – other people achieve it. Use the NLP anchoring technique to get fully connected with have more than required.
• Check your ‘Tude: One of the biggest blocks towards creating positive money habits are the underlying attitudes some people have towards money and whether they believe they deserve to have more than is required to scrape by. Common disabling ‘Tudes include:
  1. Wealthy people have gained their wealth through less than honourable means.
  2. I don’t deserve it.
  3. Money is evil, and people with money are nasty, underhanded or selfish. I don’t want to be like that.
• Choose better ‘Tudes: If you can remotely relate to the above, here are some quick options that may be worth exploring and trying on for fit instead:
  1. I’m interested in (fill in the blank, e.g. a house for my family, spending time with my kids and working less, creating memorable moments through travel and experiences).
  2. I can do more good by donating substantially to support meaningful causes.
  3. I’ll be teaching my children how to enjoy life and respect what they have by leading by example.

This list is only just scratching the surface of money hacks. I’ll edit this post with more ideas.

What are some of the Money Hacks you’ve found useful? Please share below…