Think back on the decisions you regret in life – do you find a lot relate back to money and time? Time wasted and money poorly spent! Sure, we all learn from our mistakes – but we can also learn from the past mistakes of others. With that in mind, here is a collection of “life lessons” that experience can teach us about time and money:
- Avoid Debt Now for Benefits Later
This sounds like a no-brainer, and yet many people are drowning in debt. Maybe it’s time to cut up your credit cards! It’s just so easy…”buy now, pay later” and “50 months interest-free” are tempting propositions, but they all come with strings attached; usually in the form of high interest. So next time you’re considering buying on credit or applying for a loan, ask yourself: “do I really need this right now?” If you find you with this then there are a range of fantastic apps specifically designed to assist with getting finances under control.
- There Are No Shortcuts
Ok, occasionally there are shortcuts…but not often and they can lead to unwanted locations. To succeed financially in life you will need to put in some hard work. Working diligently and being fully engaged in your job will help you to succeed in the workplace, whereas wasting time googling endless “get rich quick” schemes is only going to lead to disappointment.
- Work Smarter, Not Just Harder
We seem to be working longer hours in an effort to get ahead, but we often don’t appreciate the correlation between money and our time. If a task is demanding of our time, then it could be costing us money. For example, are you dashing out of the office at 5:00 pm on the dot in an effort to get to the dry cleaners (thereby missing out on productivity)? Instead, why not have your dry cleaning picked up and delivered (free of charge), which leads to a saving of both time and money. Click here to see how this type of service works. It’s just one practical way to make better use of your time.
- Keep Your Emotions Under Control
In this age of social commentary, we are encouraged to vent our emotions loudly and freely…often to our personal detriment. Yes, you may feel better in the short term, but is it going to slow down your career? Research has found that managers are more likely to consider employees for a promotion if they can manage their emotions under pressure. So if you don’t want to waste years being stuck in your current role, then learn to keep your emotions in check. Creating a serene Zen space in your home can be a great strategy to keep cool, calm and collected under pressure.
- Take Calculated Risks
When it comes to financial decisions we don’t want to be leaping off any metaphorical cliffs without a parachute, but a calculated risk can lead us to a position of financial security sooner than would have otherwise been possible. Get good advice, do your homework, and then be open to possibilities, whether it’s a new job or a chance to invest.
Being wise with both our time and our money can lead to less stress in the short-term and long-lasting financial benefits that are well worth the effort now.
