Suntrust bank has asked me to write about my financial confidence and what it means to me.
I am sharing my personal story of what helped me be more financially confident.
I started this blog 3 years ago. I am so embarrassed of my first few posts I won't even link them here.
Fast forward 3 years later, this February I launched a book. A Book! It was a big moment for me as I felt as proud as I ever been when it came to my career.
I felt confident in what I did, but it took 3 years to feel this way and I can now assure you it's a gradual process.
When I first started blogging I would not be confident enough to post a social media post, not to mention a blog post. But I made a goal and tried to strictly stick with it. No matter what. Even if I was not confident I still posted. This helped me grow my courage, which later grew into my confidence. And my confidence helped me write a book. I still have LOTS to grow and make it better. But I am confident of what I did. And this confidence will help me create even more amazing books in the future.
The same is with my financial confidence. It doesn't mean that I am rich and I have lots of money that I can freely spend on anything my heart desires.
Financial confidence to me means that I can control my money better.
I can control how much I spend, I control how much I save and I control how much I give. This, also didn't come right away, like my blogging confidence. It took time to gain courage and then to finally have confidence.
Here is how my financial confidence came to me
1. I made a plan. This included my financial goal and how I will be re-investing money I make. Even small amounts. For now, I reinvest in my blog and my other online business.
2. I am cautious. This means, every time I want to buy something I ask: "Do I really need that?" You will be surprised how often you will say "no, I don't really need it", if you are really honest to yourself.
3. I give. Giving is a big part of financial confidence. Last year I helped few kids in my daughter's class to go on a field trip, because their families could not afford it. It boosted my financial confidence a lot. (Since my income varies every month I set a percentage on how much I give every month.)
4. I don't go in debt. It's simple, as I only get things I can pay cash for.
5. I prepared for emergencies. This one is important too. Having certain amount of money in your savings will really give you confidence in ANYTHING you do. Not only financially. It will let you be more free.
If you want to get serious about being financially confident (which is very closely related to your self-confidence) join the ONUP movement.
At SunTrust Bank their purpose is lighting the way to financial well-being. When you feel confident about your money, you can save for your goals and spend knowingly on what matters most to you.
The onUp Movement is 1 million strong…and growing. onUp is about having the confidence to move forward one smart step at a time.
Join now and start building your financial confidence today.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of SunTrust. The opinions and text are all mine.
