No one has ever become poor from giving. – Anne Frank
The fact this quote came from Anne Frank is telling. She knew what it meant to be poor but maintained an attitude of generosity throughout her life. We can learn a lot from her as we consider financial gratitude.
What Is Financial Wellness?
Being financially grateful starts with financial wellness—the ability to manage your daily expenses, your irregular expenses, and your long-term financial goals. Not everyone can say they have financial wellness.
If this is something you struggle with, that’s okay. You can move in that direction.
Here are 3 places to start:
1. Look at where you can reduce expenses by finding the “black holes” in your budget, those areas where you spend more than you anticipated, such as eating out or morning coffee runs.
2. Pick up a second job for the short term to help establish a safety net (an emergency fund) or to pay down credit card bills.
3. Begin investing in your retirement at least to the degree your employer matches for your 401(k).
Financial Gratitude
Once you’ve established some financial wellness, you’re ready to be financially grateful.
- Do good with your money. As Anne Frank said so eloquently above, we can’t give ourselves into the poorhouse. Find meaningful charities to invest in, whether that meaning is found in your faith or in your history. For example, if cancer is a part of your personal history, giving to a cancer recovery charity might help you find gratitude for the financial blessings you have in your life.
- Cut down on impulse spending. Resisting the urge to battle stress with retail therapy will be empowering in the long run. You won’t have to worry about paying down the bills for those shoes you didn’t really need or that video game you could live without. Instead, recognize the good things you already have.
- Focus on the present and the future, but not together. Being in the moment is a key component of gratitude. If you can recognize the good that you currently have in your life during a stressful season, this will introduce calm and composure into your day. Similarly, by recognizing the steps you have already taken toward a future life of financial security, you will encourage yourself to stay the course despite the difficulties.
- Journal. Before you ignore this let’s remember that journaling has a place in the 21st century. If having a diary isn’t appealing to you, consider the notes app on your phone. Jot down 3 things (financial or otherwise) you are grateful for each day. This teaches you to see the positive in your life and paves the way for more gratitude to naturally flow out.
By applying these strategies, you will be able to practice financial gratitude, and the fruit of that will be more peace and calm, regardless of the circumstances life throws at you.
©2023 Amplified Life Network
