By Reeta Wolfsohn, CMSW, and founder of the Center for Financial Social Work
- Organize your financial records and your financial life. As you begin your journey to the rest of your life, doing so will be easier now, whether you do or don’t have a job.
- Make a sincere commitment to being money-wise – put it in writing; sign and date it; keep it where you will see it often; review and renew your commitment weekly.
- Identify two (2) specific steps you can take, in the coming week, which will make you more money-wise – put them in writing. Continue those steps and add two more next week and two more the following week, etc.
- Make a personal and specific money space in your home or apartment. Light candles and play relaxing music when managing your finances in your money space.
- Create a Personal Spending and Savings Plan (budget) – it is the most pro-active financial tool available.
- Schedule time with your money each week – one hour.
- Understand that your credit and FICO scores are available to many different people and impact your life personally and professionally.
- Live beneath your means today, so that one day in the future you will no longer have to.
- Practice optimism and hope: place positive, motivational poems and quotes where you will see them often, so they keep you inspired and on track for success.
- Surround yourself with others who demonstrate/role model strong self-esteem, sense of self and sense of purpose.
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