Four Ways To Focus Your Finances Tomorrow

For so many of us, the problems in our life can be attributed to insufficient attention. One of the most important things we can do to solve a problem is to stop ignoring it. Financial problems are no exception. In fact, getting focused on your finances can often be the difference between success and frustration.

The key is to get started immediately. Don’t wait. Start tomorrow. Here are four things you can do tomorrow to start focusing your attention on your finances and start getting them in order:

1.) Have a family meeting
Get everyone on the same page. You can’t do anything until you’ve discussed how financial issues affect your family. Your family can tell you what they think is going wrong and you can also share your thoughts with them. This consensus and making sure the whole family understands, and is on board with, the financial goals can be the tipping point for success.

2.) Make a budget
Once you’ve got buy-in from everyone in the family, it’s time to figure out where your money is going and where it should be going. Clarity on where your money is actually going creates a great foundation for making positive changes. Making a budget can help focus your mind on what you’re spending and where you can make some savings. Even if you have to refine it later, just getting a rough budget down on paper can bring your finances into better focus.

3.) Get your accounts in order
Get all your account statements together and figure out how to access them online. You’ve probably got a pile of statements somewhere from various accounts. Over time we forget passwords to certain accounts, and we even forget that other accounts exist. Getting together a list of accounts and how to access them can help you regain focus on the big picture.

4.) Get financial planning software
Once you’ve got a budget and all your accounts sorted, financial planning software can help you put it all together. You can use a standard product like Quicken or an online product like Mint. Many people are uncomfortable with keeping their finances online, but there are many advantages to having your data in the “cloud.”

Taking these first four steps can help put you on the path to financial focus. Why let your personal finances remain blurry any longer?

Photo Credit: MorrowBayChuck

2 Responses to “Four Ways To Focus Your Finances Tomorrow”

1. FinanciallySmart says:

   December 1, 2009 at 11:47 am

   You are so correct and these suggestions is what will allow the family members understand that there is unity. Too many times there are lack of finance and parents hide behind it. Parents should always sit down and discuss what is happening in the family finance wise that the children will understand the gravity of the situation. In this the children will become more responsible because they will be having a role to be part of as well.

2. tattoo kits says:

   January 9, 2010 at 4:13 pm

   I use quick books for my personal and business accounting – its a lot like Quicken right?