Table of Contents
Find the solution to the constant 'pinch' that your money is tight, even if your financial situation is in a good shape.
If you're living pay-check to pay-check, you may be concerned that you'll run out of money.
You might have felt the ‘pinch’ in your stomach at times when you feel helpless in your financial circumstances.
It’s absolutely fine. Even the wealthy may believe that improving their lifestyle will have an impact on their future.
But do you constantly feel broke even if your financial situation appears to be in good shape? Does the ‘pinch’ never go away? You don’t feel like you have enough?
If that’s the case, unfortunately, you will never be completely free of this pressure. That’s in human nature.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the dread of spending money. But you can lessen its impact over time. These 8 Financial tips from the richest may help you to change your perspective about money.
Let’s first understand this illogical fear of money being tight when it’s not. People who suffer from this feeling are concerned that they may mismanage their finances.
They may also believe, as the cliché goes, that money will turn them evil. Stress and anxiety creep in which can affect your health, sleep and relationships.
You make good money and don't think your costs are excessive, but you’re left with nothing by the end of the month. Something feels off.
So, what's the deal? Why aren't your finances coming together with the way you think they should if you have a lot of money?
Let’s explore the possible causes behind it:
1. You are not paying enough attention
There are many spending issues that begin small but grow over time because we don’t pay much attention to them.
When we have a lot of money, we're less likely to budget wisely or think about our purchases. This is where the problem arises.
Just because these purchases don't cause us any pain at the time, doesn't mean they won't eventually catch up with us.
The reason there is no money left over at the end of the month is because of today's impulsive buy. Keep track and ask yourself “Do I really NEED this?”
2. You confuse desire with needs
You already know how important effective budgeting is, to distinguish between our wants and needs. But when we become accustomed to particular wants or desires, they begin to feel a lot like needs.
This is the power of habit. Something becomes ingrained in your routine, and you no longer want it; you need it. Like, purchasing a ₹300 Starbucks coffee.
It might not appear like a problem at first, but once it becomes a daily habit and feels like a need, you’ll have to correct this bad financial habit.
3. You can’t afford the things you purchase
Your perception of financial scale can be thrown off when you earn a higher-than-average income. This is probably the only downside to being financially secure.
You don't think twice about buying a brand new car or bike with all upgrades or a designer bag and dress because you believe you can afford it.
There are a lot of things you never have to do for yourself if you think you can afford it. However, just because you have the money does not mean you should overspend.
After a while, you may find yourself relying on these conveniences a little too much, which can be financially draining, even if you have the means to sustain it.
The key is to have the ability to see the big picture. While a top-of-the-line car may be within reach, where else may part of that money be spent?
Try to figure out what your financial priorities are, and use them to guide you when you're spending money you could be saving.
4. You don’t know what you really want
The majority of financial issues boil down to this: “I am here, but I feel like I should be there.” After all, there's no problem if you think things are fine the way they are, right?
What if you have no idea what "There" looks like? What if you just knew that “Here” wasn't going to cut it? Well, this is a very common problem.
It's extremely difficult to make positive changes when you don't have a plan, and it's much more difficult to build a decent strategy when you don't have a goal.
If you're feeling stuck, it's possible that part of the problem is that you don't know what you actually want.
So what can you do to rectify the situation?
1. Make a financial plan
Create a monthly budget and stick to it to avoid overpaying or thinking about it.
A budget allows you to keep track of your expenditures without denying yourself the necessities of life.
There are a plethora of online tools and mobile apps available to help you set up free budgeting programs.
All information regarding your incoming and existing monetary transactions, from all of your accounts, should be included in your budget.
There are several tools and software that allow you to categorize your spending and determine where you need to cut back.
It can be difficult to find out where your money is going and how to reverse it if you don't have a budgeting scheme in place.
2. Put together an emergency fund
An emergency fund can assist you in case of huge unanticipated bills. You need money in your emergency fund enough for sustaining up to at least six months.
Accidents, delayed payments or car breakdowns, you never know when you might need urgent funds. Always stay ready for unexpected bumps.
Stock away all your extra funds after necessities and taxes in a separate account made only for emergency funds. It will ensure smooth cash flow during emergencies.
You can transfer the difference between your actual income and the minimum requirement to your main account. Maintain the balance during cash-rich months.
This will give you some peace of mind and you won't be completely dependent on your pay-check.
3. Set up Autopay for Bill Payments
Most people are concerned about their bills. You can avoid logging into your bank account or touching money if you set all of your bills to autopay.
You may not be afraid to spend money if you pay your bills automatically. When you have a loan, autopay is ideal because most loans have a fixed monthly payment.
By paying your bills automatically and without your involvement, you free up your mind to focus on things you can control, such as budgeting and saving.
Most businesses will notify you with an email when your payment is due and when it has been received, so you never have to check your bank account.
4. Examine your loan options when you're in need of one
It is always advised to avoid debt, but a loan may be required in a few understandable circumstances, such as the purchase of a home.
A loan comes in helpful when you need to buy a house, go to college, or establish a business.
Compare all available options before taking out a loan. If you get the finest loan deal, you'll find it easier to handle because you won't be paying more in interest than you need to.
Once you've obtained a loan, you'll need to devise a strategy for repaying your debt. A well-thought-out strategy will enable you to attack your loan right away and pay it off as quickly as possible.
If your debt obligations consume the majority of your income, you should consider some other alternative to repay your debt.
5. Establish long-term financial objectives
Setting objectives is similar to making a budget. It helps you avoid overspending and gives your money and savings a purpose.
Having a plan also reduces anxiety and allows you to concentrate on the important things. Your financial objectives should show you how you plan to pay off debts and improve your savings.
When making a plan, make sure you imagine how you want your future to appear and begin taking actionable activities to achieve your objectives.
To construct the ideal spending plan, think about any personal savings objectives you may have, your retirement, and your salary.
6. Be Grateful
Last but not the least, always be grateful. It's a dead-end that you aren't grateful enough when you focus on the setbacks rather than the things that are going well.
But get this: You have the power to change your financial condition if it isn't what it should or wants to be. It won't be simple, but it's doable.
People who aren't any wiser than you have organized their finances.
Also, if your finances are a mess, you live a life with more conveniences and even pleasures than most people could ever imagine. So always be grateful for what you have.
No matter if you’re working as a manual laborer or as a CEO earning a six-figure salary, this feeling of money being tight can creep in anytime.
While it is more common among lower-income people and middle-class people who believe they do not have enough money, it affects everyone.
If your fear stems from a bleak financial future, you can turn things around by keeping your money in order and establishing a strategy. Jar App can help you to grow your money while you save by investing it in Digital Gold.
If you have a fear of money that arises from a traumatic experience in the past, you may need to address the trauma before moving forward with your fear of spending money. There’s definitely a solution to all your problems.