Why You Need to Think Big and Start Small to Get Rich
By Douglas Goldstein, CFP®
One of the most effective ways to achieve your financial goal is to develop good habits. Here’s what you need to know:
Rome wasn’t built in a day
Acquiring good financial habits does not happen overnight. First, you need to decide what you want to change, such as your spending or saving habits, budgets, etc. Whatever you decide to change, make sure you are beginning with a small step. Habits built on small, but steady, steps take hold quicker and last longer than sudden drastic changes.
One small target at a time
If you want to become less extravagant and more careful about spending your money, start by writing down what you spend every day for a week. When you have done that, think of which of your regular purchases are unnecessary. Rather than dropping them all at once, gradually phase them out of your shopping list, one item at a time, week by week. At first this may be difficult for you, but each time you successfully save some money and reduce your spending you will find it easier to progress.
Similarly with saving, start by saving a small amount monthly, and then increase it until you are saving a sizeable amount on a yearly basis. To make sure you actually implement your savings plan, make sure to implement the habit of paying yourself first, before other bills. That way, putting money into savings will become as much of a habit as paying your electric bill.
For more about changing your habits, listen to my interview with James Clear, author of Transform Your Habits at www.GoldsteinOnGelt.com/james-clear.
Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.
How to Help Your Children Become Financially Independent
By Douglas Goldstein, CFP®
A client told me about her married daughter who is in a financially dysfunctional marriage.
The young couple finds it hard to make ends meet, and often applies for help from charitable organizations. Yet despite their lack of funds, they still live a fairly extravagant lifestyle. Occasionally, the daughter asks her mother for money, but the mother refuses. My client realizes that she doesn’t have the means to bail them out – and even if she did, they would never learn to stand on their own two feet. Teaching financial responsibility is one of the toughest lessons a parent faces.
Close the Parental Bank
Saying no to a child in fiscal trouble is difficult. I know many parents who support an adult child still living at home, or married children who can’t quite make the month. These parents tell me, “What can I do? They’ll starve without my help!”
Sadly, these well-intentioned parents don’t realize that rather than helping their children become financially independent, they are perpetuating the situation. Acting as the Parental Bank on a regular basis doesn’t give children any incentive to become financially independent. Why should they live within a budget, if they know their parents will bail them out?
Let go of your child’s hand
When a toddler learns to walk, you have to let go of his hand, even though you know there’s a high chance that he’ll fall and skin his knee.
Similarly, when adult children ask you for help after they’ve failed financially, don’t automatically write a check. Offer them your sympathy and explain to them the necessity of budgeting and planning their finances. Give them the number of a budget counselor or financial advisor and let them know you are interested in encouraging them to become financially stable.
Never help my children?
This article is not meant to say never help out. Rather, make sure you understand the difference between helping your kids get a start in life with a gift for education or buying a home versus enabling them live beyond their means.
Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. His best-selling book, Rich As A King: How the Wisdom of Chess Can Make You a Grandmaster of Investing, is available at online, at bookstores, and at www.RichAsAKing.com. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about
How To Break Your Bad Habits And Get Rich
By Douglas Goldstein, CFP®
Money woes are generally not due to a market gone awry or a low salary. The number one cause of most money problems is bad financial habits.
Do you spend without tracking what is leaving your wallet, neglect to make regular deposits in savings, and overlook regular financial reviews and discussion of financial goals with your partner? If so, you may be guilty of harboring negative financial habits. Bad financial habits can be as deadly as smoking.
Some habits are so ingrained that it seems impossible to break them… but it can be done! I spoke with James Clear, an expert in habit creation, on The Goldstein on Gelt Show about how people could improve their finances by replacing negative habits with positive ones.
Why stopping cold turkey doesn’t work
Stopping a bad habit by simply not doing it anymore doesn’t tend to work since nature hates a void. Instead of just stopping your bad habit, find a good habit to substitute for the negative one. For example, instead of “retail therapy” to improve your spirits by going out shopping try exercise or chatting with a friend. Or replace your credit card in your wallet with a picture of your saving goal to provide a constant reminder of what you are working towards.
Join forces with a friend
One of the best ways to improve your financial habits is to team up with a partner. Read self-help books together, or attend an online financial education class (ask me for recommendations). When two people work together, you can both support each other through the inevitable ups-and-downs of creating a positive habit.
The key to success
When you launch a new habit, start with a positive attitude. If you believe you can succeed, you are more likely to do so than if you set yourself up for a negative outcome.
For more concrete tips on improving financial habits, listen to my discussion with James Clear at: http://www.goldsteinongelt.com/james-clear.
Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. His best-selling book, Rich As A King: How the Wisdom of Chess Can Make You a Grandmaster of Investing, is available at online, at bookstores, and at www.RichAsAKing.com. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. Accounts carried by Pershing LLC., Member NYSE/SIPC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.