There are many signs which can indicate that you’re struggling with money management. This does NOT mean you’re beyond help… being able to recognise that you’re struggling with managing your money is the first step to turning it around!
Signs that You Might Be Struggling to Manage Your Money
- Being left with little to no money at the end of each month, but having no idea where it all went… in this case, you might be what we call an ‘invisible spender’, where all those little, seemingly insignificant, purchases are adding up to more than you thought
- Relying on credit- when you start relying on using credit cards or loans for everyday expenses, this indicates that you’re struggling to effectively manage your money, as you’ve become stuck in a cycle of debt
- Burying your head in the sand- if you find yourself avoiding checking your bank balance and opening bills, this is a sign that you are struggling to manage your money, and are failing to meet any financial problems head-on
- Late payments- constantly being behind on bills means you’re stuck playing catch up, with your finances controlling you rather than the other way round
- Poor credit score- if your credit score starts to drop, this could be a sign that you aren’t in control of your money management, as this may be due to missed payments, late payments, or defaulting on loans
- Having no savings- if you do not have any emergency or future savings, you’re lacking financial security, and are likely living from one payday to another
- Feeling stressed, worried, or depressed- if you find that you’re experiencing these feelings, or that you are unable to sleep due to your finances, this is a sign that changes need to be made
- Using retirement savings for current expenses- draining your retirement funds early can significantly impact your long-term financial security
Turning it Around
- Pay more than the minimum payment every month on your credit card
- Ask for help when you need it. For those in debt, there are a variety of charities and organisations offering free support, such as National Debtline, Debt Advice Foundation and Citizens Advice. If you’re struggling to make financial decisions, you may wish to consider contacting a regulated and qualified financial adviser. If you simply feel like you need to talk, consider talking to a trusted friend or family member to take some of the weight off
- Create a budget and stick to it – this is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to managing your money. You can read more about the benefits of budgeting and how to effectively budget on our previous blogs. We even have our own free online budget calculator here to help
- Regularly check your bank balance and statements- it’s important to know what’s coming in and out of your account every month to keep an eye on your spending and to identify any fraudulent transactions or unnecessary spends, such as unused subscriptions
- Pay your debt off when you can afford to- if you find that you have a bit of money left over after essential payments, such as rent, mortgage payments, or bills, consider using this towards debt repayment, as lots of money is often lost through the interest charged on loans
- Change your money mindset- our money mindset shapes the way we manage our finances and can influence our financial capability
- Improve your financial literacy- a huge part of being able to manage your finances is being able to understand them in the first place. Why not check out our online course to start your learning journey today?