Financial wellness is a process of learning how to successfully manage financial expenses. Money plays a critical role in our lives and the lack thereof impacts your physical, environmental, emotional, social, and intellectual wellness dimensions. Why? Because money harnesses two of the immutable forces of the universe. It represents your time and energy in a form of matter.

Financial stress is a common source of stress, anxiety, and fear^[1], so ignoring your financial responsibilities will only increase these feelings. Keeping track of your expenses, making a budget, and sticking to it are important skills to have, and you should aim to create some time every day to seek ways to improve your financial wellness, or at least once a week to decrease your stress.

Money is a mutual exchange of service and respect from one frequency to another. It is important that your relationship with money is limited to the recognition of what it represents, and how to responsibly use it. You can revisit the example I have shared in the environmental wellness - fairshare and what I share in the practice section to gain an understanding of this section. To fuel this dimension is to increase your knowledge, through your intellectual wellness, about money-managing and making strategies.

I have come to find that money can be made and managed in so many ways. New strategies are being discovered every generation, so instead of me listing a stream of money-making and managing strategies, I suggest a youtube and google search to find ways that best support your desired frequency. You can also download some budgeting templates to help you keep a watchful eye on your finances.

Your desired frequency will require a number of finances that accompany it. During your weekly review, include the time to set your weekly budget to ensure you are aligned with your future goals. This weekly review shouldn’t take you longer than 20 - 40 minutes. This dimension of wellness is simplified by focusing on budget, income, and investments. What I mean is to invest less than you make.

The programming in society considers you to be a consumer, so businesses market to you with very persuasive ads to get you to consume their content, services, or products. I’m telling you, you’re not a consumer. Here’s a thought: what if you consider yourself an investor instead? The difference between a consumer and an investor is that after the consumer makes a purchase, it stops there. An investor, in most cases, is always seeking a return on their investment.

While making your next investment, remember that not only are you looking for a return on your investment, but you are casting a vote for what you support. Understanding whose financial dimension you are stimulating each time you make a purchase can vastly change the future of our planet. When we make purchases to buy from certain companies, their ethics may be flawed and cause a disturbance in other people’s everyday lives.

Think about all the entrepreneurs you know personally—your friends, family, or friends of friends. Have you stimulated their dimensions of wellness? Have you voted to support their ideas? At least you actually know what their ideas are, their ethics, and even better, your voice will more likely be heard if you make a complaint to them. Where will you cast your next vote?

The most effective repair method would be reevaluating your budget once you become aware it is unbalanced. If you need outside help, speak with a financial advisor. After taking one of these steps, don’t hesitate to get back into practice.

References

1. “New Research: Money Is The Leading Source Of Happiness --- And Stress - Jun 12, 2018.” Newsroom | Northwestern Mutual, https://news.northwesternmutual.com/2018-06-12-New-Research-Money-Is-The-Leading-Source-Of-Happiness-And-Stress.