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5 Essential Steps to Refresh Your Financial Outlook this Spring

ByMolly Simon

The time-honored ritual of spring cleaning doesn’t have to be restricted to decluttering your closet or deep-cleaning your kitchen. In fact, doing a bit of financial spring cleaning can make a major impact on your finances the rest of the year — and help you manage the stress of debt. 

If you are struggling with money, then these five simple steps could be essential to feeling better — and rebuilding motivation — to deal with your debt.

Step 1: Know Where You Stand

We know — confronting the numbers can be uncomfortable, to say the least. In fact, 2 in 5 Americans say money impacts their mental health. 

But the benefits of confronting that stress could outweigh the temporary fear your financial status might inspire. 

Start your refresh by looking at your accounts to establish a baseline of what you have vs. what you owe. Getting an accurate understanding of where you stand now can actually help quiet anxiety — and put you on track to make better financial choices, whether you’re ready to confront your debt or not. 

Here’s how you can re-establish your financial baseline:

  • Gather your bank, credit card and other account statements.
  • Write down their balances, including your individual debts (and what you’ve paid for them so far.)
  • Take a deep breath: As our experts often say, “You are not your debt.”

Now, you know what you have and what you owe. Seeing it all laid out can be hard — but even taking this first step is a major accomplishment. 

2. Tell a Trusted Friend or Loved One About Your Finances

Keeping debt a secret can make you feel alone and stressed. In a recent survey, we found that 50% of men say they keep financial secrets from their partners because they feel embarrassed.

This spring, plan an honest talk with your spouse, a relative or a friend you trust. When you speak openly about money, it takes away the power that shame has over your life — and creates opportunities to build deeper connections. Saying your truth out loud to another person can help you process your situation better, and even create a sense of accountability for your actions. 

As you reflect and open up, remember what you’re doing is brave on multiple levels. If you feel yourself reflexively passing judgement as you think or speak about finances, try to simply acknowledge those thoughts, then let them pass. You get to decide what you believe — and your honesty is proof that you’re serious about creating security for yourself. There’s no reason to feel ashamed about that. 

3. Review Your Monthly Spending

“Everything in moderation” — it’s a philosophy to live by, but it means something different to every person. Figuring out what “moderation” means in your life ensures you’re still doing the stuff you love, having fun and making progress towards your goals. So, take a look at what you spend each month and decide what is a “must-have” and what is just “nice to have.”

You don’t have to cut out everything. Instead, try these simple tips:

  • Make a Cash-Based Budget to reset the financial habits that contribute to overspending.  
  • Use coupons or apps to find lower prices.
  • Cancel subscriptions that you don’t use anymore.

4. Reflect on Your Family History with Money

Most of us carry habits from our childhood without even knowing it. Many people were never taught about money; 20% of Americans say their parents never talked about it, and 31% didn’t learn about it in school.

Think about how you were raised to view money. Understanding why you spend the way you do can help you make better choices for your future.

5. Start a Small Emergency Fund

Not having extra money for emergencies can cause a lot of anxiety. A recent report found that 59% of Americans do not have the ability to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense.

You don’t need a lot to start. Even saving five or ten dollars a week can help you feel more confident. Having a small “buffer” helps you handle unexpected bills without having to use a credit card.

Make Progress — Not Perfect

Improving your finances is a journey, not a race. This 5-step plan is meant to help you feel more powerful and less stressed.

And should you want to make faster progress against your credit card, personal loan, medical and other unsecured debts, talk to a Beyond Finance specialist. We’ll show you how you can save big — and get debt-free in as little as 24-48 months.