Financial independence is a state where one has enough income to pay for their living expenses without having to work or depend on anyone.

This concept of 10 Smart Money Habits You Can Develop Starting Today is very attractive to me. Making it happen in my life is very important to me; I look forward to it, I am working towards it and by God’s grace I will achieve it. I know, however, that it will not happen automatically. I have to make calculated decisions and take deliberate steps if I am to actualize my dream.

If financial independence matters to you as much as it does to me, there are practices and habits you need to develop that will make your journey easier. Below, I will share some very helpful smart money habits that I have adopted, as I work towards financial independence.

1. Set specific money goals: I write down goals for my annual income.
For a long time, I had an alarm go off on my phone each morning at 9:00 am, to remind me of my income goal.
TIP: Write yourself a big fat check with a future date and paste in a visible place.

2. Make Savings Automatic OR Do Direct Debit(s) FIRST: I have future goals that require money so I decide on a specific amount or percentage I would save during a period. The deduction happens first before I make any other expense, this allows effortless savings and wealth building.
TIP: Save in a separate account where you have no internet banking and no debit card.

3. Ditch the Small, Daily Purchases: We often waste too much of our hard-earned income on unnecessary ‘little’ expenditures without realising how much they can add up to. Ban yourself from daily purchases you can do without e.g. snacks.
TIP: Make your lunch the night before and take food to work, mute those Instagram accounts that tempt you to buy stuff you don’t really need.

4. Speak Positive Affirmations Often: I often tell myself I deserve to be rich, because the world needs me rich. The wealthiest individuals believe it and so should you.
TIP: When you speak affirmations, do it in front of a mirror, it forces your subconscious to believe what you say, and the picture stays with you.

5. Read Something Valuable Everyday: Rich people tend to read more than the poor despite being busier. If you don’t have the time to read, just accept that, all things being equal, readers will lead you. That is the bitter truth. Leaders are readers.
TIP: Read articles on different topics if you cannot commit to reading an entire book.

6. Surround Yourself with Successful, High-earners: I enjoy engaging and learning from successful people. Who you hang out with matters more than many other things you may think are important. In fact, your net worth will over time, tend to mirror the net worth of your closest friends.
TIP: If you need a new circle that motivates you, find and attend events outside your usual kind.

7. Track Your Spending: Both home and abroad, I track what I spend very closely. I’m also always looking for ways to spend less. I’m happy to shop at discount stores, I use coupon codes and buy in bulk. Tracking spending reveals a lot about where your money goals, you need that info.
TIP: Download and use an app to keep track of what you spend and what you spend it on.

8. Practice Lean Start-up: If you own a business, it can be easy to lose sight of little expenses that drain the account. Budget everything you can, consider virtual or shared offices, no excesses like all-out branding and using the biggest celebrities as influencers… stick to your budget.
TIP: Things like furniture can be bought fairly used to save money. Get an accountant

9. Plan for Emergencies via Insurance: Some expenses are unplanned, and while we do not pray for them, I do not like to be caught off-guard. Search for affordable health, car and home insurance to prevent ill-health, accidents and fire incidences from robbing you of your hard-earned money.
TIP: If you find a company that bundles insurance packages, you can save some money that way.

10. Review Accounts and Memberships: In this age of everything online, it is easy to sign up for services, link up your card and forget it while they continue to charge you for a service you don’t use. Learn from my experience and review memberships to be sure you only pay for what you use. Start from gym, DSTV package, Lifestyle Apps, Cloud services, Email auto responders, Netflix, etc.
TIP: Periodically go through your bank statement to reveal unwanted charges.

Author: Ella George-Uduku
Managing Partner, HillBridge Consulting