By Johanna Hunt
Published: May 22, 2015
LET’S talk about money. Let’s get really real about what money means and how it affects the world we live in. Some may think it’s strange that money is a subject near and dear to my heart. But lets face it: It is part of our lives from the day we are born.
So why is money talk a taboo? It can affect our day-to-day living; it can impact our lifestyles; it can dictate our relationships. I don’t know about you, but I was raised in a family where money was often an issue, and one where we focused mostly on money as a problem. We didn’t have the tools or strategies for creating abundance and financial security nearly the same as we do today. As an adult, entrepreneur, and student of life, I am learning that if we focus on money-making as a solution, it will come more easily and frequently.
Much of the world we live in is focused on scarcity—“I don’t have enough money”, “I don’t have enough time”. But in reality, we all have the same amount of time and the same ability to seek opportunity. ‘Not enough’ is just a story we tell ourselves, and if we repeat it enough, it becomes our reality. What you think about you bring about, so if money has been a struggle for you, start with changing your mindset and create a new relationship with money.
I am an opportunist and an optimist. Although I have not handled money well through much of my life, I have carried a mindset that if you’re willing and able, you will always have an opportunity to make more money. People make, lose and spend money all the time. Money is a bit of a game, and its important to know the rules if you want to win.
I am not a money expert by any means, but I have spent time learning and implementing new strategies for myself and my family, and perhaps these simple tips will help you with your relationship with money too.
1. Get real on what you want and how money plays a role in achieving these goals. Allow yourself to dream and envision the lifestyle you want to have.
2. Create positive affirmations around money. For example, “money comes easily and frequently”.
3. Talk about money. We’re all here to share, experience, and help one another live our best lives.
4. Redirect your focus from “not enough” to “how can I create more?” The reality is, times have changed. Most j.o.b.s (just.over.broke) will not afford you the lifestyle you really want. There are a lot of ways to create an additional stream of income. Find your God-given talent and create a way to share that with the world to help others. Or find a turnkey business with low start-up costs so you can not only change your lifestyle, but the lives of many others.
5. I highly recommend looking into a home-based business instead of taking a second job. There are a lot of tax benefits to having a home-based business that can actually save you money, where as another job will cost you more tax. We all know in Squamish, home-based is where its at, given the cost of commuting to and from. Squamish is booming and there has never been a better time to create opportunity!
6. Make a plan and stick to it. A big trend today is our need for immediate gratification. In order to create change, you must have a plan, and you must work at it consistently, whether you see immediate pay-off or not. Check out Darren Hardy’s book The Compound Effect to learn about the power of consistency.
7. Save 10 per cent of everything you make and start now if you haven’t already. That may mean a few adjustments in your budget and priority shifts, but the sooner you start, the more it will grow over time.
8. Be generous and live in abundance. Whether you have a lot to give or just a little, remember there are people who have less and need more.
If you truly want to make a positive change in your life and your relationship with money, I believe 100 per cent it is possible. If I can do it, so can you.
