Savings is perhaps the first key to achieving financial
greatness irrespective of what amount of money you earn as income. And
anyone who was yet to appreciate it and make it part and parcel of his
financial plan can hardly realise a target because this is about
building for the future.
Experts however believe that beyond taking the decision to
save, you must also confront the psychological factors that form
regular excuses why you could not continue with a savings plan.
In our series on the Old Mutual Money Management advice
this week, we look at the expert perspective on how one can make his or
her savings habit stick?
Once you start saving, you will need to examine how
committed you are to a savings plan. We all use excuses or have
psychological barriers that stop us from saving. Tick the excuses you
have used before.
• I don’t earn enough.
• It seems selfish to pay myself first.
• My children always seem to need something new for school.
• I have so many debts to repay.
• I don’t know how to work out what I can afford – there is never any money left.
• Now that I am a single parent, there is never enough money.
• I don’t have the time at the beginning of the month to organise my savings.
How to stick to your savings:
1. Remember the Secret of the Lion – Pay yourself
First, Save Automatically.
2. Remind yourself – you are not being selfish by saving. You are ensuring you and your family’s future needs are met.
3. Arrange an automatic savings transfer, immediately after pay-day.
4. Put your money in a safe interest-bearing place where you can’t be tempted to use the money.
5. Once you have done this, re-budget your monthly
expenses carefully – which ones can you really cut back on – perhaps on
your cellphone, clothing, entertainment, etc.
6. Try not to open clothing and furniture accounts! They
just tempt you to buy with money that you don’t have. You will be caught
in a cycle of wasting big money on interest on your loans and debts.
7. If you have short-term debts or loans, sacrifice now
and pay them back as quickly as you can. They are very expensive because
of the high interest charged.
8. When you are tempted to spend, think of your longer-
term goals. Picture yourself in the future. Spending now can destroy
these goals.
Almost everyone, no matter how much they earn, feels that
they don’t earn enough. The reality is that anyone can save with a bit
of discipline and commitment. Of course, it means that we might have to
sacrifice some of our less important spending, but the benefits in the
long term will be well worth it. Not only will you be more financially
secure — you will also sleep better!
This is what some people say about their savings success
• I was without a job for 6 months, and managed to keep my family going – thanks to my savings!
• My savings are putting my daughter through university at the moment!
I have just bought a car for cash thanks to our 3 years of savings. I avoided paying thousands in interest!
Modestus Anaesoronye
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