How to Kondo Your Finances
You’ve seen the show, maybe you’ve read the book. But how can you apply the methods to your money?
If you have no idea what we’re on about, here’s a quick intro to the Magic of Tidying: Marie Kondo is a Japanese organising consultant (yes, it’s a real job, just think where you could have been if you’d cleaned your room more often like your mom wanted). The world has fallen in love with her because she has gifted us with an incredibly simple way to sort your clutter out, and according to her, become a happier person as a result.
And the best part? It seems to actually work. Social media has been flooded with people posting piles of their clutter, and the gratifying ‘After’ photos that show how much they’ve purged. Slowly, the world seems to be letting out a sigh of relief as we’re cleared of stuff. Her surname has even become a verb, and if you haven’t Kondo’d your house yet, give it a go 😉.
So why not apply the KonMari method to the rest of your life? Kondo your diet, Kondo your friends (cheers Bob, you never sparked joy!) and Kondo your finances too.
In fact, we’re so on board with tidying your finances that we’re stepping up to show you how. Check out some of our tips to apply some life-changing organisation to your money:
Organise Your Spending. Okay, we know this sounds obvious, but it’s the obvious first step that’s worth mentioning. There are loads of free resources in the world, from budget sheets to apps, that will help you to categorise your spending into easily trackable groups. Getting an overview of your spending will help you tidy it better.
Set a budget. Now that you’ve got your groups, try to set a few limits for yourself within each group. There will be areas where you’ll always spend the same amount, like recurring debit orders, but there will be areas where it gets a bit grey (think eating out, clothes, etc.) The latter area is where you can set monthly limits for yourself.
Get rid of it. Take a long, hard look at where your money’s going. Are there debit orders coming off your account for small amounts, for things you don’t really need? Are you paying a lot for a gym membership you don’t use that much? Are you eating out more than you’re eating at home? The answers are simple: cancel the debit orders that you don’t need anymore, downgrade your memberships to the cheaper options, plan your meals, etc. There’s a lot you can do to scale back your spending, or readjust it to use on things and experiences that truly bring you joy.
Ask someone. If you’re not totally sure if you’re cutting out the right things, a financial advisor can help you get organised. They’re also good for advice on where to direct your newly unlocked cash. Ask friends and family if they can recommend someone they trust, or ask us and we’ll point you in a helpful direction!
Be kind to yourself. Marie doesn’t expect you to become a tidying pro overnight, and neither do we. Financial fitness is something you need to practice, and just like exercise, you’ll have good and bad days. The main point is this: if you’re having a bad day, it doesn’t mean all the work you’ve done up to then has been for nothing. It’s a journey, and as long as you keep going, you’ll get somewhere good!
Now go forth, and be financially happy! If you’re itching for some more money hacks, we’ve got you boo. Follow the rabbit 👇🏾.