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We've been watching the results of our nzgirl Money Money Money survey closely (click here to add your insight) and it seems that there a lot of nzgirls out there who struggle to make their money work for them! Instead of controlling your expenses, it seems there are quite a few of you, who for whatever reason, are in situations where your money (or lack thereof) controls you! Join Tee as takes control of her money, honey!  Confession time
I'm what you'd call a money coaster, buoyed on the faith that there will always be enough money in my account to pay the rent, buy those shoes, stop for coffee and save for a rainy day. It's not like I'm an excessive spender or that I'm shackled by debt, but I like buying things when they take my fancy.
You don't want to spend your 30s paying off your 20s!
I'm a big believer in the universe unfolding as it should - the next day at work I had a call from Sarah at Acumen Financial Planning, asking if I'd like to roadtest their Six Week Money Coaching Program to learn how to take hold of my financial position and make some positive changes to my financial savviness. Acumen offer a range of financial services, but Sarah works predominantly as a coach on the Six Week Money Coaching Program. She's an nzgirl like the rest of us, but is savvy about money and enjoys helping others to get that way. If you've tried to get started on the road to financial freedom yourself, but fallen down at the first stumble (like making a budget!), then a guided program like this is a great way to walk you through the basic steps of money management and hold your hand through the initial stages... Step One: What are my spending habits?
Before our first meeting, Sarah got me to spend a few hours looking over my spending habits to help me find out where my money was going. In the end though, we decided that working hypothetically wasn't the best way to do this, so I employed a money diary to write down everything I spent over the course of a week. It's amazing how every little thing adds up and how much less willing you are to spend frivolously when you know you're accountable to a little notebook!  nzgirl reader challenge: Why not try keeping your own notebook for a week?
Step Two: Where do I want to be?
In our first meeting Sarah and I brainstormed where I would like to be in the future with my money situation. It was empowering to write down short, medium and long term goals and know that I would soon have a plan in place to knock those bastards off!
This step is important because having something to work towards is what will keep you from veering off course later in the process! nzgirl reader challenge: Set  yourself some goals for now and for the future! Step Three: How am I going to get there?
I've drafted up a few budgets in my time, but I left most for dust simply because they just didn't work or I couldn't get through the torture of allocating $6 a payday towards my car registration!
Sarah explained even she couldn't stick to something as rigid as that and instead we drew up a system that worked in a much more user-friendly format - a series of automatic payments in groups (repayments, bills, 'lump sum payment' savings, short term savings, long term savings) and cash withdrawals for my 'fun' money, petrol and groceries. nzgirl reader challenge: Work out how much 'fun' money you need and take this out in cash at the start of your payday. How is it going so far?
After the initial face to face consultation, Sarah keeps in touch with her mentees over the phone each week. With two paydays down, it was great to be able to report that everything was going really well! I've noticed a change in how I'm feeling about my money - I like knowing that everything is working well (rather than just hoping it is) and with a few small changes to my habits I'm already feeling the benefits! I love catching up with the girls over brunch, but switched it up last weekend and made pikelets with one of my girlfriends instead. It also looks like I'm going to be able to reach my goal of a pair of hot boots next weekend - nice one!  Tee will be reporting back at the end of the program to let you know her progress. Check back to find out how she went and how you could win your own Six Week Money Coaching experience with Sarah!
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