I get phone calls every once in a while that make my whole day, and sometimes  my whole week.  These are the calls from former clients who tell me all the great benefits they are experiencing from our work together.

I got one of these just the other day.  Tom (not his real name) was telling me how  by initiating the many small changes that we'd discussed, they now had a system for their finances, a clear picture of what their monthly costs are, and savings for those pesky irregular expenses.

He and his wife Carol (also a pseudonym) had originally called me because they had shared panic about money.  Even though they made good money, it no longer worked easily for them, everything felt like a scramble and in their words "out of control."

There had been several changes in their lives since the last time that their money worked smoothly. Tom had taken a new job which paid less but felt so much better.  They had had a child, and found a second home that they treasured.  All these changes  had their effect on their finances until money no longer was working seamlessly for them.

[NOTE: This isn't an unusual situation for my clients.  Their money is working well, and their income may even have increased rather than decreased.   Then there are life shifts...perhaps a house, or children, or a medical situation, or a move...and it's not working anymore.]

Now back to Tom and Carol.  When we first started working together, it was difficult for them to see where small changes would make any difference.  They made it clear that they didn't want to change any of the major expenditures, so we paid close attention to everything else.

That's what was so rewarding about Tom's call.  He was very specific about how the improvements they saw were from the many small changes that they had made. 

We also changed how they put money aside for their irregular expenses so that there weren't any cash flow speed-bumps.  We spent time on their communication together about money so they could strengthen their money partnership.

The most impressive fact is that they were able to gain all this headway in a month's time.  That doesn't mean that all the benefits were able to appear in that time, but rather that we were able to map out a plan for them that would lead to those benefits as long as they were willing to continue the work themselves.

Another couple, Jonathan and Jennifer (again, not their real names), was able to build their plan in my Do-It-Yourself program.  I assigned the projects, they completed them, and we did weekly half-hour check-ins for a month. 

They were particularly suited to that program because they already had great communications skills and worked well on their money together, and knew that enough money was coming in.  Their concern was that they never felt comfortable in figuring out how much they had to spend when they also had large goals they wanted to reach, like saving for college for their children, saving for their own retirement, and continuing to save for a house.

We were able to put a template together that revealed all the "pots" that needed filling, and demonstrated how the income could be best allocated so that all the pots would get funded.  We also discussed what behaviors and habits they wanted to carry forward to sustain the new system.

Whether  my clients work one to one with me or they're in the Do-it-yourself program, the four key areas we address are the same. They are:

1.      Clarity: Where is the money going and how is it currently allocated?

2.      Mindsets: Are there money mindsets that aren't serving you, leaving you with recurring patterns of nonconstructive behavior?

3.      Relationships: What is your system for checking in and dealing with your money, as well as how constructive is communication working between you and your "other"?

4.      Template: How could income be allocated to best serve your goals, and what behaviors are necessary to keep the improved system in place sustainably?

Depending on where my clients start, we tailor a program for them that assures that all of the four key areas above are working effectively. 

What the clients in the success stories above have in common was a belief that it could be better, a willingness to ask for help, and the perseverance to continue until the "miracle" happens.  In this case, the miracle is that moment when you no longer have to stress about your hard-earned money and you can spend your time and energy on rest of your life.

On that high ending note of success stories, I want wish you a great 2014, and encourage you to reach out if you have stress, fear, or an out-of-control feeling in any of the four areas above. 

You don't have to live with those feelings  for another month, let alone another year.  Please call me or email. We can discover the series of simple steps that you can take to turn your finances around.  Here's to making 2014 more stress-free and secure.