They didn’t, of course.

So, one Saturday morning, I sat down at the kitchen table with chequebook stubs, statements and a calculator (yes, it was a long time ago, but the lessons I learned still hit home today) and did my financial numbers.

Calculate your numbers to relieve your financial worries

It was a painful experience, and I felt sick with anxiety. I missed three stubbs hidden behind a chequebook request form the first time, which didn’t help.

However, in the end, I had accurate income and expenditure statements. These statements told me that things were a little better than expected. I know now that things are not usually as bad as you think. But the numbers confirmed this.

More importantly, my money worries, anxieties and terrors subsided because I knew where I stood. Okay, it was not good, but at least I knew.

Build your life plan on your financial numbers

That night, I slept better than I had done for a while.

I also knew that I could work out a plan to get me back on track, and the next week, I contacted my creditors with my plan. Amazingly, they were pleased I had a proposal and accepted my plans.

Nearly 45 years later, I still track my numbers and plan my finances.

And my life.

Listen to the story your numbers tell

Because the numbers also tell a story. They tell you about your financial maturity, your relationship with money and the values that govern your decisions about your life. 

It’s just a short step to developing a plan for your life.

But you must address your money at the same time.

So when your money worries prevent you from sleeping, start by doing your numbers. And then listen to the story that your numbers are telling you.

Then, you can write a new story with a new ending that you want, not what your money wants.

Photo attribution

Photo by rupixen.com on Unsplash 

Taking it further

If you think personal finance is just about investment returns, you’ve missed the point. Find out more in my book Right Money, Right Place, Right Time.

Related posts

I’ve written lots about money. Go to wordsnotdeeds.co.uk and search on “money”.

ABOUT

I work with ambitious, family-oriented professionals transitioning to independent consultants to create a 3 to 5-year holistic plan so that they grow wealthy, make a difference and find meaning.

My clients are aged 35-50. They are in a long-term relationship with family and parents who are supportive but ageing. They wrestle with personal and financial responsibilities and dream of more control, wealth, time and purpose.

If this excites you, you are coachable, willing to change, and want to stop going around in circles, then find out more at jeremydeedes.com

Then, take your next step and explore your way forward with a Mapmaker, a one-off online coaching gig to help you decide your options, assess our compatibility, and determine whether we are the right fit. Mapmaker is excellent value, held in confidence and without further commitment.

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so share your thoughts in the comments box below, and thank you for your time and generosity.

What do you think?

Your views are important, and your fellow readers would love to hear your opinion, so share your thoughts in the comments box below, and thank you for your time and generosity.