The new year always comes with financial plans: buying a house, raising children, studying, and old age. But for many families, "saving" is still a difficult goal to reach because income is limited and living expenses are increasing. In fact, according to family finance experts, the problem is not how much money to earn, but how we manage and use money.
From a marriage and family perspective, forming a savings habit not only helps stabilize finances but also reduces stress and limits marital conflicts. And that can completely start from three very simple things.
Starting from looking directly at daily spending
The first thing, but also the most often avoided, is to monitor spending. Many families do not really know where their money has gone each month. Small amounts such as coffee, outing, and shopping according to emotions are the silent "loopholes" of the budget.
Dr. Brad Klontz, a financial psychologist at the University of Creighton (USA), commented: "Awareness of personal cash flow is the foundation for changing financial behavior. When people see their spending habits on paper, they begin to control them.
Taking notes is not complicated. A small notebook or application on your phone, recording all expenses in the month, is enough for each family member to understand how money is being used. This is also a way to help husband and wife be financially transparent, avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings.
Save first, spend later
A common mistake of many people is "saving after spending". At that time, money is almost gone. The opposite principle, saving first and spending later, is recommended by many experts.
According to Ms. Rachel Cruze, a personal finance expert in the United States, lecturer at the Ramsey Solutions family finance education program: "Treat savings as a mandatory monthly bill. When you prioritize it from the beginning, saving will become a habit, not an effort.
The initial savings level does not need to be high. It may only be five percent or ten percent of income. The important thing is to calculate regularly. For young couples, agreeing on a common savings amount also helps strengthen the feeling of companionship and joint responsibility for the future of the family.
Set small, specific and visible goals
Saving will be very easy to give up if the goal is too vague. "Saving money" is an abstract concept, but "saving ten million VND for a backup fund in six months" is a specific, measurable goal.
Dr. Brad Klontz said: "The human brain responds more positively to small, clear goals. Each time you reach a savings milestone, you are creating psychological motivation to continue.
The family can divide large goals into small stages: emergency fund, children's learning fund, retirement fund. When seeing the amount of money gradually increase, saving is no longer a pressure, but becomes a source of peace of mind.
The new year does not need grand financial promises. Just three simple things: knowing what to spend, saving from the beginning and setting a moderate goal. Saving, in the end, is not just about keeping money, but about keeping peace for the family.
It's a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit.
