If you look at the money problem mathematically, it’s easy – just do X and you’ll get Y. But then why don’t we do this? The toughest parts of getting our daily and monthly finances under control are largely social, interpersonal, and internal.
In order to get control over your finances you have to tackle these issues and as a result you receive benefits beyond just having more money.
Here are 5 of these types of benefits you gain by getting your money under control:
1. You find you have set good boundaries in your life
In order to get control over your finances you have to learn to set good boundaries in your life, You need to learn when to say, “yes,” and when to say, “no.” Boundaries need to be set for others – as in “my financial generosity can only go this far.” And boundaries need to be set with yourself – as in, “I’m allowed to splurge on things I want in the moment, but when this $40 is spent, I’m done doing this for the month.”
2. You find you have more unity in your marriage
Unity in your marriage cannot be achieved by keeping your money separate, and unity only comes when you learn to get in agreement with how you spend money. If you are married you must address the “spousal agreement thing” or you will not have control over your money. One of the benefits of getting control over your money, is you will have worked through many of the disagreements, fights and disputes over money, and you get to enjoy greater unity.
3. You find you have self discipline
When you get control over your money, you discover it really is about getting control over yourself. Getting control over yourself is in essence self discipline.
We teach that discipline isn’t about pure willpower. Willpower, like a muscle, gets tired and wears out. So we teach that discipline is about putting systems in place that naturally guide you in the behavior you want for yourself.
When you get control over your money, will have learned how to combine will power, motivation, and systems to create a habit of self discipline with your money.
4. You find improvements in other areas of your life
When you learn how to be self disciplined with your money, you will find you can apply many of those same techniques to other areas of your life. Once you get control over your money, you will find it’s easier to set up:
- regular exercise
- better eating habits
- regular time with God
- better time management
Each of these areas has their own unique challenges, but when you learn to control your money, you’re no longer starting at zero for these other areas.
5. Things of greater importance emerge on your “radar”
When you get control over your money, you have more of it, and so you stop worrying each month if you’re going to make it. This constant unsettled sense or worry moves out of your mind leaving this empty space. And now there’s this extra mental capacity for new kinds of thoughts.
You get this breathing room and feel this sigh of relief, and now you can start looking at the big picture. You get to ask yourself, “What is my life about?” “How can my life matter to people in a way that is meaningful?” At this point you have a chance to pursue things of significance.
What about you? Have you gotten control over your money and discovered benefits you didn’t expect? Tell us about it.
