One of my favorite quotes is “choose your hard.” It truly applies to everyone. I included the longer version of the quote below.

“Choose your hard. Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard. Being in debt is hard. Being disciplined financially is hard. Choose your hard. Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard. Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard. Pick wisely.”

Life is a collection of choices. Choices lead to experiences, which influence emotions. Experiences and emotions form attitudes which contribute to mindset. And mindset helps people decide what they think they want their future experiences to be. It becomes a cycle.

When people learn to self-regulate within this cycle by choosing their version of “hard”, they become capable of maintaining a positive mindset and therefore, experience positive outcomes.

Choose Your Hard: Finances.

I want to focus on finances in this article. I know a lot of hardship begins and ends with this topic. I also know how often it comes up in conversation between kids and their parents, husbands and wives, siblings, and really between anyone sharing the responsibility of paying for things in life.

As students consider their undergraduate studies, as they apply for jobs, and as they navigate their first years on their own in the world, money is part of the conversation. It controls certain freedoms and opportunities, and can contribute to certain levels of security. People quickly realize how expensive it is to eat healthy, to pay for gym memberships and/or equipment, or to live in a good location. Some people just want extra spending money to spoil their significant other but unexpected costs arise.

It’s not all stress-related though. Once people master the basics of saving and investing, spending becomes doable too.

Finances can be fun, stressful, humbling, and exciting. I have been part of hundreds if not thousands of financial discussions, even when the other person didn’t realize it. I am nowhere near an expert but I have some ideas for how to manage money with a positive twist even in the most stressful situations.

I typically take a two box approach to “finances” and “personal finances” in my mind. Finances allow me to consider what other people do with their money. I listen to podcasts, watch the news, and sometimes scroll through the financial gurus who post on instagram all day. I try to keep finances strictly educational instead of getting caught up in competing with other people.

I look at finances like I look at research. I observe, learn, and even quote from time to time to support my own financial approach. It is okay to accept that others have more or less than you do, but make sure you don’t over commit to financial goals that are too big or too many for your situation.

Personal finances, however, I view like my own child. I nurture them, entertain them, and set them up for success on a foundational level. Any bonus or loss along the way is backed by a strong, unwaivering foundation. The goal is to limit the financial roller coaster, or the highs and lows, monetarily and emotionally. That means monthly auto-investments, paying down any debt, then maintaining little to no debt, and living below my means personally and as a family. So what does that look like and how can you stick to a plan?

3 Easy Steps for Feeling Optimistic About Money

Make It Mindless

Start small. Keep things simple. If you make $20 more than you spend each month, invest $5 and save $15. Slowly your account/portfolio will build and your momentum will increase.

Eliminate One Cost

Think monthly. What do you make monthly? What do you spend? This will allow you to look at a smaller sample size and adjust accordingly. Instead of “I make about $40,000 per year so $200 a month is manageable,” try, “I make $1300 per month and spend an extra $75 per month on subscriptions I rarely use.”

If you can eliminate an expense and invest it instead, you will witness big improvements quickly, you will build confidence, and you will feel good. Then anything you spend within your budget each month is AFTER you have already saved and/or invested $75 per month.

Increase Your Income

Do you like to work hard? What are your hobbies? Dedicate one extra hour per week to something you love that pays you. Example: I love baseball. I started giving lessons locally in my town and was able to bring in an extra $250 per month. It sounds insignificant but that covers one week of groceries, a date night or two, or savings for a vacation. You don’t have to be an expert and you don’t have to make an extra $10,000 to experience a positive change, just start!

In case I wasn’t clear. TAKE THE LEAP. Choose your hard.