Money and rights · 60 min
A monthly money hour
One hour a month to open the post, look at the bills and see where things stand, without judging yourself.
Money worries grow in the dark. Envelopes left unopened and bills not looked at tend to feel worse than they are. A regular, calm hour once a month brings things into the light, so you can see what needs doing.
The steps
Four small steps,in your own time.
Put one hour in the calendar each month, at the same time. Make it pleasant: a good drink, music, a tidy table.
Open all the post and check your accounts. List anything that needs paying, cancelling, querying or claiming.
Look at what came in and what went out last month. Do not judge; just notice one thing you would like to change.
Do the two most urgent things on your list in the hour. Anything left goes on next month's list or into your paperwork folder.
The reason
Why it helps
Looking at money regularly makes it less frightening and helps you spot problems early, while they are still small. A set time means money does not have to occupy your mind the rest of the month. Doing a couple of things in the hour itself turns worry into action.
A gentle variation
If you manage money for someone you care for, give their affairs their own half hour in the same session, with their involvement if they can. Keep their papers and records separate from yours.
WE · TRIBE
Try itwith someone.
If you share money with a partner, do the hour together, with the same rule: no blame, just a look at where things are and one thing to change.
Try it today
Today, put one money hour in your calendar for this month and gather your unopened post in one place.
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