Personal Financial Management: 5 Simple Ways to Make a Difference
Financial management can be a numbers game. Many people dread going to the bank for a loan or sitting down with their credit card company to review their balance and payment plan. But with the right tools, anyone can make money work for them. You don’t need to be a financial expert to make a difference. Here are five simple ways you can start with your personal financial management. And hopefully, this article can also provide some work-life balance examples.
Talk About Money
The first step is to talk about money. Talk to friends and family members about how they spend money. Find out if they have any money goals or if any changes could be made to their budget. It can be challenging for people to talk about money, but you must understand what the person wants out of their finances.
Research and Learn
If you’re looking for a way to make a difference, the first step is to do your research. Financial companies sell products that are complex and can be challenging to understand. Understanding how the system works will help you feel more confident discussing these topics with friends and family who need help. You could also volunteer at an organization like Credit Counseling Services of Southern Maryland (CCSM). CCSM provides free financial education courses and workshops on managing finances, balancing a budget, eliminating debt, understanding credit reports, etc.
Teach Someone About Money
Many people don’t know how to budget, what type of credit card to use, or how much they should be saving. If you have experience with financial management and want to help someone learn more about money, then it may be worth teaching them the basics. You could even offer free sessions where people can come and ask questions about managing their finances and get advice from you! For example, a recent study found that 47% of Americans prefer an in-person meeting when discussing their finances.
Offer Financial Education
Education is an essential part of any successful financial plan. It’s not enough to help people with their finances. You need to know how to educate them too correctly. People often don’t understand the basics of financial management and make costly mistakes in the future. Make sure you have looked at suitable financial education courses to support your learning and be in the best position to help others learn and manage their finances.
If you are turning this into a business, make sure you use the suitable options to help you support growth, from receiving the correct training and accreditations to using the right billing solutions for credit repair businesses. Offer your clients a free educational guide covering budgeting, creating and sticking to a monthly spending plan, understanding credit cards, and more. The more professional you are from the beginning, the more clients will trust you whether you are charging or working for free.
Serve on a Financial Board
If you want to make a difference with your personal financial management, consider serving on a financial board. This can be nonprofit or for-profit, but it doesn’t matter. Acting on a financial board is more than meeting monthly and reviewing reports. It also means being an advocate for the organization’s mission and goals. If you have an interest in finance and the organization’s mission, it can be a fulfilling experience.
