When it comes to being disciplined it becomes really difficult to stick to a schedule, especially if you aren’t the disciplined kind. Like yours truly.

How can we ensure that we actually achieve the things that we set out to do? Specifically when it comes to managing our money.

Hmmm. Just Do it!

Yeah. Okay. Thanks.

‘I know I need to do it, but I’m not able to…for some reason’.

Yep, I have faced this problem. And it can only be begin to be solved once you have voiced it out as an actual concern. Without that, its just a thought bubble that exists for a millisecond, and then BAM! you’re distracted because instagram read your mind and threw an ad about dried flowers at your gorgeous face.

So say it out loud.

‘I need to start paying more attention to how I spend my money.’

‘I need to invest my money.’

‘I don’t need to buy this today.’

‘I want to start saving money for my trip.’

‘I will not go with the flow when it comes to planning my money.’

‘I want a plan to stick to.’

‘I want to be able to retire by 55.’

However ridiculous you think it is, just say it out loud. Preferably to a friend. Then talk to them and tell them that you would like their help.

Say,

‘Hey I want you to help me stay on track with so and so.’ or

‘I want you to help me be more accountable toward this.’

To be honest, I think this comes a little more (just a tad) easily to women than men. Men have been told that they need to solve their own problems, so poor things seldom look outside for help.

To all the men out there! Chill. FFS no one is going to judge you for asking for help. And if they do, screw them, you don’t need such people in your life.

Find an accountability partner, make it quid pro quo if it bothers you SO much that someone is actually willing to help you. Offer them something in return, what habit do they want to track? How can you use your skills and help them out in this?

Create an actual goal with them. Let these goals be achievable ones. Break them down even further. Tell them to hold you accountable for your actions. Here are some examples –

‘I want to automatically save 30% of my income in the beginning of the month, every month.’
‘I will call you as soon as I get my salary, stay on the phone with me as I move 30% of my salary to a different bank account.’

‘I want to invest Rs.X every week into ABC index funds’.
‘Remind me every Wednesday at 12PM to invest in ABC index funds.’

‘I want to be spend 70% of my income and save the remaining amount.’
‘Help me take a look at my expenditure and help me figure out where I can cut down my spending’.

‘I want to create an emergency fund that will contain 6 months of my expenses. Please help me achieve this.’
‘Help me calculate how much I will need to save every month for the next year in order to beef up my emergency fund.’

Check in with your accountability partner at a regular cadence and update them on how you are doing with the task. Be like, ‘Okay let’s talk every Tuesday and Thursday for the next four weeks for five minutes.’

Please make sure this accountability partner is the non-judgy kind. You’re going to make a lot of mistakes, you’re going to get complacent, you need someone patient, kind and understanding.

This needs to be an honest relationship, otherwise you are wasting everyone’s time. Be upfront on whether you have managed to complete the task you had planned. If not, say that out loud and provide a deadline on when you will be able to complete it.

My goal is to create a safe space and a compassionate community around all things related to money. Reach out to me if you want to talk and share your story 🙂