Do you have a budget buddy?
Personal finance in general is tough, and doing it alone is even harder. You may not feel comfortable sharing personal information, but you can go through the process of getting your finances in order by having a checkup with a friend going through the same thing. When you stumble, a friend can really help.
You could have a list of questions that you ask each other once a month over coffee. You don't have to share any financial details. You could list the issues which are unique to you: impulsive purchases, late-night infomercials with credit card in hand, not bringing your lunch to work three days in a row. Whatever causes you trouble could be a question your friend could ask you.
Or maybe you need a mentor. Do you have anyone in your life who could help you with your budget? Ideally this person would be someone who has been through a similar situation as yours and come out on the other side. Unsolicited advice is cheap, but if you have someone who could help at no cost and with no emotional bias- that would be ideal.
There is a time to pay for financial advice. Maybe you aren't there, but if you need help in investing or other financial decisions, there could be a justification to pay for advice and direction. What would you gain from an advisor that you pay by the hour?
1. Knowledge - perhaps there are options you just didn't know about.
2. Diverse perspective - if you have thought and thought and run out of ideas, another person's background could be helpful.
3. Unbiased assessment - A good advisor will not tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.
4. Accountability and support - you want someone who will ask you the hard questions and not let you make excuses when you shouldn't.
5. Avoiding big mistakes - some financial decisions have repercussions for a lifetime.
Our advice is to pay a flat fee per hour rather than a percentage of assets, but this is just an opinion. Either way, getting in touch with an advisor could make all the difference over the long haul.
Not reaching out to anyone ensures that you will keep getting the same results.
Everybody needs a coach.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed on this website reflect the personal opinions and experiences of the writer. Nothing in this article constitutes financial advice in any way. Information on this website should not be relied upon for investment or business advice. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.