Creating Margin For Finances

How many times have you thought—

“I really should start budgeting.”

“I need to turn my finances around.”

“I know I probably shouldn’t spend this but I’ll really get on this next month.”

And yet for some reason no matter how much you want to do it — you simply can’t. You get caught up in the rhythms of the days and weeks and feel like the wheel never stops turning. Your brain feels like its constantly spinning on 100 different tasks.

One more kid drop off for soccer.

One more email to send before you can go to bed.

One more drive to your parents house to help move the furniture.

One more sleepless night with the sick toddler.

The problem isn’t that you are lazy or bad with money. The problem is you don’t have enough margin in your life for the emotional and physical capacity it takes to create real change.

The answer? Intentionally say no so you can intentionally say yes. Nothing is a priority if everything is a priority.

Start to look at your habits and rhythms through a critical lens. Stop saying “I have to” or “I can’t” and start thinking of your life as a series of choices.

• What are you choosing to say yes to that you can choose to say no to?

• What are actual obligations?

• Where are you prioritizing someone else’s needs above your family’s needs? Yes- this includes financial needs.

Spend 10 minutes every day reflecting on these questions for a week. Write down your thoughts. You’ll likely find at least 1-3 places where you are overcommitted and where you can cut something out if you choose to. If you truly want to dedicate time and resources towards your finances then you will have to change your behavior.

Behavior change = financial change.

Start with finding the time and mental capacity you need. Small margin can and will lead to large margin if you keep going.