So, you’re ready to take control of your financial future BUT you are painfully aware that caregivers are financially burdened and unfortunately it is quite obvious that a job is not enough. You have weighed the cost of caregiving and have been found wanting. But nobody taught you how to manage your money and to make matters worse, studies have shown that:
- women who are family caregivers are 2.5 times more likely to live in poverty than non-caregivers.
- 47% of caregivers who are employed report having to use up their savings.
- 28% of family caregivers have stopped saving and 23% have taken on more debt.
So, what on earth do you do now? Well, a good place to start when trying to take control of your financial future is to learn how to manage your money. Money management is very important for family caregivers, as this will enable you to know exactly where you are financially, decide where you want to go financially and help you create a plan to get there.
What is Money Management?
It’s the process of organizing and planning your finances in order to reach your financial goals.
As a family caregiver, what do you do with the income that you get? How much do you spend? How much do you keep? Do you invest? Is the income enough or do you have to rely on debt? The answers to all of these questions indicates how you manage your money.
Money management is important for family caregivers because it dictates what we can and cannot afford and therefore determines the type of life we and our loved ones end up living (that’s the thing about money…it not only affects you but those close to you as well).
When thinking of how to manage your money, you can get overwhelmed by the vast and complex information out there. But this can be simplified if you focus on three (3) main areas: tracking your money, keeping your money and multiplying your money.
Tracking Your Money
This means keeping track of what you spend and where your money goes. There are several reasons why tracking your money is important:
- First, it helps you understand your spending habits. When you know where your money is going, you can make changes to improve your financial situation.
- Second, tracking your money can help you stay on budget. By knowing how much money you have available each month, you can avoid overspending and save money for important goals.
- Third, tracking your money can help you detect fraud. By monitoring your bank statements and credit reports regularly, you can catch any suspicious activity and address it quickly.
- Fourth, tracking your money can help you plan for the future. By knowing how much money you will need for retirement or other long-term goals, you can save accordingly.
As a family caregiver, where does every cent that you spend go? And I mean EVERY cent. You must know what you are actually doing with the money that you currently receive. Is everything going towards caregiving? What amount of your money goes towards your needs? You need to go to the doctor/dentist/therapist as well, and you too may need to buy medication.
By accurately tracking every cent every day/week/month you can easily see the areas of your life that’s being financed and the areas that are being neglected. You are now in a position to make certain changes and know exactly what those changes will cost to make.
Keeping Your Money
From your tracking, how much money have you realized that you are actually keeping? Or is it that your money goes towards making other people rich while you and your family are stuck in poverty? Do you have an emergency fund? Do you give to charity? Do you have an investment account or an account to pay for repairs to your car or home? How much of your money do you get to keep for your betterment and advancement?
One of the most important tenets of personal money management is paying yourself first. This means setting aside money each month for savings and investments, before you pay your bills or buy anything else. There are several reasons why you should pay yourself first:
- First, it helps you build a savings cushion. When you have money saved up, you are less likely to fall into debt in the event of an unexpected expense.
- Second, paying yourself first can help you achieve financial stability. By investing your money wisely, you can create a cushion that will help you ride out tough times.
- Third, paying yourself first can help you achieve financial independence. By saving for retirement and other long-term goals, you can reduce your dependence on others for financial support.
- Fourth, paying yourself first can help you stay organized. By knowing how much money you have available each month, you can make better decisions about what to spend it on.
Keeping your money means not spending everything you earn
. This may seem like common sense, but it can be tough to do in today’s consumer-driven society. By keeping your money, you allow it to grow through compound interest and become a larger source of financial security down the road.
Multiplying Your Money
Multiplying your money is one of the most important things you can do to increase your wealth. This means taking steps to grow your money through investments and compounding interest. When done correctly, it can help you reach your financial goals much faster. For example, if you invest $10,000 and earn 10% annual return, your investment will grow to about $26,000 in 10 years. In 20 years, you’ll have about $68,000. This is why it’s so important to start saving and investing as early as possible.
There are many different ways to multiply your money. The most important thing is to find a system that fits your personal needs and goals. Some common strategies include:
- Investing in stocks, bonds, and other securities
- Starting a business
- Buying real estate
- Investing in mutual funds or ETFs
- Saving for retirement
No matter what strategy you choose, make sure you do your research and understand the risks involved. It’s also important to stay disciplined with your money management system and not deviate from your plan. This will help ensure that you reach your financial goals in a timely manner.
How to Manage Your Money
Money management is critical for family caregivers and their loved ones. Personal money management can help family caregivers ensure that their own finances are in order. This is important, as family caregivers often face financial challenges as a result of providing care. N.B. The financial principles that you apply to your money can also be applied to your loved one’s income as well.
Caregivers should focus on tracking their money, keeping their money and multiplying their money. This will help us to better manage our finances and ensure that we are able to care for ourselves and our loved ones. Managing money is important for both family caregivers and their loved ones. By staying on top of personal and family finances, family caregivers can better cope with the challenges of caregiving.
