Two Keys To Financial Success – Blog Bites

In our experience we have found that there are two major things that will bring great success to one’s finances. Curious to know what they are?

Since we at A Step Above Style value your time (and because you already know why you’re here) we’ll jump right in.

Let’s begin.

The Two Keys

Automation

Whether it’s bills, debt repayments, investing, or saving, automation is your friend.

One thing to keep in mind when paying credit cards is to always automatically pay the amount that would either :

• Pay off your card completely
• Keep you from paying interest

When it comes to saving and investing you should automatically set aside a amount that is lower than you think.

By that we mean select a number that you can consistently save or invest without “hurting” your pockets. Instead of saving $100 a week, aim for $75, or $50.

That way you can start and keep going. Don’t try and get to your goal overnight.

Delayed Gratification

Delayed gratification can be summed up in two words :

It’s been said that many smokers have broken their bad habits by simply saying “not now” when the urge came to reach for that pack of cigarettes.

Note: The trick to using this key is to tell yourself “not now”. You don’t have to completely deny yourself and say “no”.

Just take some time between when that urge arises to spend money, and when you actually spend it. A popular method is waiting between 24 to 48 hours to see if you still want that item after the allotted time.

Conclusion

Through personal experience we have seen the benefits of utilizing these two keys.

Automation has allowed for bills to consistently get paid on time, investment accounts to grow, and credit cards to remain paid off.

Delayed gratification has allowed us to identify what things truly matter to us, and what things are getting purchased merely out of boredom.

Try utilizing these two keys in your financial journey today. You may be surprised to see the incredible results.

Until next time, y’all have a good one.

• Blog Bites – Send the Invitation Instead of Waiting To Be Invited
  You would enjoy seeing your friends more often. You want deeper relationships. You may even feel disappointed that nobody has planned anything recently. But have you sent an invitation? It is easy to wait for someone else to make the first move. Being invited reassures us that we are remembered, wanted, and included. The problem…

  Read the Post

• Why Adult Friendships Drift—and How To Strengthen Them Again
  There may not have been an argument. Nobody announced that the friendship was ending. The calls simply became less frequent. Plans were postponed. Messages took longer to answer. Eventually, someone who once knew the details of your everyday life became a person you mainly remembered through old photographs and occasional social media updates. Adult friendships…

  Read the Post

• Gifts, Gratitude, and Clutter: How To Give and Receive More Thoughtfully
  A gift enters your home with good intentions. Someone saw an object, thought about you, spent money, and presented it with care. You may appreciate the gesture. You may love the person. You may also have no use for the gift. That creates an uncomfortable conflict. Keeping it feels burdensome, but releasing it feels ungrateful….

  Read the Post

• Blog Bites – A Clear Counter Should Still Be Useful
  Minimalist kitchens are often shown with completely empty counters. No toaster. No coffee maker. No cooking utensils. No evidence that anyone recently prepared a meal. The space may look peaceful, but a kitchen is not a display room. It is a working part of the home. Clearing the counter should make cooking, cleaning, and daily…

  Read the Post

• Minimalism in a Shared Home: What To Do When Other People Do Not Want Less
  You decide that your home contains too much. You want clearer surfaces, fewer duplicates, and rooms that are easier to maintain. Then you remember that you do not live alone. Your spouse enjoys collecting books. Your children want to keep every toy. Your roommate does not consider the crowded kitchen a problem. You may be…

  Read the Post

Posted By: Jeffrey Chark · In: Smart Money