When I wrote the post on my #1 financial tip for couples on a budget on Monday, I didn’t expect such a large reception.
More than 10,000 new visitors stopped by that day to give it a read, and a countless number of visitors couldn’t access it because the large spike in traffic at certain times caused our server to crash ten times. Yes, 10x.
It was then I realized how many couples reading HappyWivesClub.com are in need of help in this area.
Several years ago, my husband and I made some drastic changes to pull ourselves out of debt – as quickly and easily as possible. We now know firsthand the freedom that comes as a result of removing that huge pile of bricks (aka debt) off our shoulders.
There are so lessons we learned throughout that journey and these are our top five:
1. Team up. Getting on the same page could quite possibly be the single most important tip to getting your finances on track as quickly as possible. Strong couples look at debt as a financial challenger (rather than a challenge) and join forces to defeat it.
2. Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover. I’m not an affiliate for this program, I’ve never met the author, and gain nothing by endorsing it. The reason I suggest it is it works!
This is the program Keith and I used and it is what helped us get on the same page with our finances immediately.
We followed the author’s step-by-step instructions and pulled out of debt much faster than we ever thought possible. This morning, I found the book on sale for $1.99 (99% off) at Barnes & Noble online.
3. Divide your spending into categories for greater oversight. There are a number of ways to do this. In our household, my husband and I use a monthly allowance system and each takes responsibility for capping certain expenses. You can read here for our exact system.
4. Give. It’s a fascinating thing. When people get in a financial rut, one of the first things they often stop doing is giving. That is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. No matter your religion or faith, giving is a principle that simply works. From books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad to the Millionaire Next Door, business and financial experts all include this as a pivotal ingredient in their recipe for financial success.
5. Make gratitude a part of your daily life. If you’re reading this on a computer or a smart phone, there’s a great likelihood you’re within the top 10% of wealthiest people in the world. Keeping this perspective will help you appreciate what you have and that appreciation opens up the gateways of your mind.
It’s not always about getting another job, or working harder, sometimes the answer rests in allowing our minds to be as free as possible to come up with the solutions we need. And scientists have proven, time and time again, that gratitude and focusing on the positive is one of the fastest ways to achieve success.
If you have 12 minutes to spare (or if not, consider fast forwarding to the 9-minute mark), here’s a video I’ve personally sent to my closest friends and family that explains why this adjustment could very well be the missing variable in your financial health equation.
QUESTION: What other financial tips for couples would you add to this list?
Until tomorrow…make it a great day!
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