All The Single Ladies
8 / 12 - Category: Blog
“Question: tell me what you think about me, I buy my own diamonds and I buy my own rings…”
Answer: we’d be suitably impressed! Come on, you’d have to agree that there’s nothing more desirable than independence, particularly when it’s of the financial variety. And sure it’s easy to say (or sing) when you are fabulously wealthy and blessed with, well, too many amazing attributes to mention (thanks Beyoncé for setting such a ridiculous benchmark!), but is it achievable for the rest of us mere mortals? Well we bring good news! If you want it and are prepared to go after it, financial independence can indeed be yours. So to all the ladies out there (single and otherwise!), time to shake your financial booty and start choreographing your way to financial independence.
“The house I live in, I’ve bought it, the car I’m driving, I’ve bought it…”
Of course, the hardest part about achieving any sort of financial freedom is usually the bit that involves money! It just never feels like you can have it all. The challenge can often be just finding a balance between enjoying your life now and putting money aside for your future. Let’s face it, saving can just seem so dull! But if you’re really serious about achieving a goal in life, maybe it’s time for a few sacrifices. And if that means the Jimmy Choo’s stay on the department store shelf instead of accompanying you home, then maybe that’s the way it’s just got to be, for a little while at least. See, the thing about having a goal and saving for it, is that there really is a light at the end of this tunnel…and it’s whatever you want it to be. Maybe it is a pair of ridiculously priced shoes. If it’s your goal and you can afford it, then go for it! Who are we to stand between a girl and her Choo’s? But if your heart is set on something just a little further afield (and that includes your independence), it might be time to get serious with your money. Maybe it’s time to set some goals…..and a budget.
Ok, ok, you can come back now. We saw you clasp your head in fear and run screaming towards the door. Relax because seriously, it’s not that bad. Sure, a budget is a great (well, essential) tool to have in your savings arsenal and guaranteed, you will be very surprised (perhaps even mortified) at how you use your hard earned bucks ($30 a week on takeaway coffee? You have got to be kidding me!). But the real key to saving is not just about having a budget (phew!), it’s also about setting small achievable targets along the way. So, let’s say you want to make a big purchase – a house or a car – and you set your savings timeframe as five years. Well as you journey along the way towards your goal, set yourself some mini milestones too, complete with small bonuses when you get there. This way you can stay focused on the bigger picture because you know that every six months or so, you can treat yourself without blowing the budget – or your dream – out of the water. And whatever your treat is, the feeling will be the same: I’ve worked hard, I’ve achieved my (mini) goal, I deserve this reward. Bravo. But just a note of caution, never take your eye of the major goal – if you’ve worked hard to save and get this far, don’t blow it all with an urge to splurge.
So what are you waiting for? If you know what you want and you’re determined to get it, why not start today? Financial independence could be just around the corner.
“The shoes on my feet, I’ve bought it, the clothes I’m wearing, I’ve bought it…”
ANZ MoneyManager Team
