She Strengthens

Embracing the Power of Small Steps

As someone who’s recently discovered the joy of bullet journaling, I’ve come to realize that writing things down can be a powerful motivator. Whether it’s tracking habits, article ideas, or holiday shopping lists, putting pen to paper helps me stay focused and accountable. But there’s one area where I’ve been hesitant to apply this approach: my budget.

The Intimidation Factor

Frankly, the thought of recording every single transaction exhausts me. With tools like Mint at our fingertips, it’s easy to track our spending without lifting a pen. Yet, I’ve noticed that writing things down makes me more likely to follow through on my goals. This got me thinking about the concept of “One Little Square,” which suggests that breaking down large financial goals into smaller, manageable pieces can be a game-changer.

The Magic of Micro-Progress

The idea is simple: take your monetary goal and translate it into a physical representation on graph paper. Each square represents $10. So, if your goal is to save $1,000, you’d want to fill in 100 little squares. Every time you save $10, you get to transfer that amount to a savings account and color in one of your squares. This visual reminder of your progress can be a powerful motivator, encouraging you to keep chipping away at your goal.

More Insights from Around the Web

• The First $100,000 Is The Hardest: Budgets Are Sexy reminds us that the key to reaching our financial goals lies in the early stages, when we’re building momentum and developing good habits.
• Ways To Say NO To Spending Money: Northern Expenditure offers a handy list of excuses to help you avoid unnecessary expenses and stay on track.
• Would You Pay $25 for an Extra Day of Freedom?: Keep Thrifty explores the concept of financial freedom and how to calculate its value.
• 15 Money Lessons I Learnt The Hard Way: Bianca Bass shares her personal experiences and the money lessons she’s learned along the way.
• How To Stop Selling Out For Money: Coach Carson discusses the importance of finding a balance between earning a living and staying true to our values.
• Why I (Kinda, Sorta, Sometimes) Hate Calling Myself A Minimalist: Cait Flanders reflects on the complexities of minimalism and the importance of acknowledging our privilege.