Buzz
It’s rare to see the terms 'finance' and 'exciting' paired together. Personal finance is often seen as quite dull, making it easy to overlook our financial goals. To maintain momentum and keep yourself motivated, make those goals both manageable and thrilling.
We’ve shared with you the importance of breaking your goals into smaller milestones, making them easier to tackle. But Trent Hamm from The Simple Dollar takes this advice a step further by turning his goals into something exciting. He explains:
When I first fully grasped the extent of our financial difficulties, my first action was heading to the library to borrow a stack of personal finance books. These books were
packed
with great tips, but the ones that resonated with me most were those that addressed the situation of someone with a stable income but still burdened by debt. What advice did these books offer?
Set short-term, thrilling goals.
The first thing I did was spend a week or two clearing out my closet and selling off things I no longer needed. It was a simple goal with a clear result – less clutter, more cash. This cash would help me get back on track and pay off some overdue bills. By selling some rare baseball and trading cards, I even managed to pay off one of my credit cards! It was a straightforward, achievable, and exciting financial milestone.
When crafting your financial objectives, try framing them in these terms—clear, attainable, and exciting. There’s nothing thrilling about decluttering your closet or listing items on eBay. But clearing a credit card balance after being in debt for so long? Now that’s exciting.
This is why financial challenges can be both enjoyable and rewarding. They may be short-lived, but once you complete them, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment—especially when you see how much you’ve saved. This excitement serves as a great gateway to a more financially responsible lifestyle. Rather than viewing finance as a dull task, it transforms into an exciting series of small victories. Over time, these victories will lead you toward your bigger objectives.
For more information, visit Hamm’s full post linked below.
Photo by Sharon & Nikki McCutcheon.
