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You know you’re in personal finance denial if you aren’t truthful about money and the role it plays in your life. For instance, do you ignore your bank statements or bills, carelessly keep adding to your credit card debts, have a growing overdraft or keep spending money you don’t have in order to impress others?

If you do any of the above, chances are good you have also experienced the pitfalls of personal finance denial and find money and your relationship with it very stressful.

Personal finance denial is a waste of time and energy. Denying the truth and not taking steps to improve your financial situation is the worst thing you can do.

Your issues with money will not go away if you continue with a negative attitude. By being in personal finance denial you’re actually inviting things to go from bad to worse. Being in denial is like being in a hole and unless you make a change soon you’ll find yourself digging an even deeper hole for yourself.

Money will always have a damaging effect on you and your family members unless you make the decision to let go of your denial and negative personal finance thinking.

In order to get rid of all your negative feelings surrounding money and to let the stress and frustration go about not having enough or not being able to keep up, you have to commit to making a change. You need to take control of your money and the way you use it once and for all.

The first step is acknowledging that you’re in charge of your money instead of your money being in charge of you.

You need to believe that you have what it takes to be successful with money. You also need to accept that you have the power to make a change.

Remove the word ‘can’t’ from your vocabulary and vow from this day on to use the word ‘CAN’ whenever you think of your relationship with money. Instead of saying to yourself, “I can’t afford it”. Repeat to yourself over and over again, “I’d rather save my money for something else.”

Consider also the words ‘love’ and ‘hate’. Hating money and the role it plays in your life is negative whereas saying “I love money” is positive.

In order to love money you need to appreciate it for what it is - a means of bringing good things into your life. Say, “I love being able to manage my money well.”

In order to be a personal finance success you also need to be a positive thinker. One of the best ways to believe you have what it takes to be successful with money is to keep telling yourself you are.
“I will be a personal finance success because I believe in myself and in my abilities to make all my financial dreams come true.”

Believe it or not a simple phrase repeated over and over can really make a difference.

Even though I’m talking about how you can be a personal finance success with positive thinking, the same technique applies to other areas of your life. By repeating positive phrases you can make a change for the better.

To learn more about how to become a personal finance success visit http://www.positivemoney.blogspot.com

Instead of complaining that you never have enough money for the things you really want, be thankful for the money that you do have and the control you have over it.

Good money management involves being truthful about your spending habits, prioritizing what you spend your money on and enjoying the abundance that is already in your life.

Don’t be weak around money - be powerful. Tell yourself that you have the ability to manage your money well.

Get rid of negative thoughts like “I don’t have enough money,” “I hate bills,” and “I can’t afford it.”

Replace those thoughts with positive phrases like “I will always have enough money for the things that matter most,” “I will pay my bills because I appreciate the benefits of the goods and services purchased,” and “I chose to save instead of spending my money on something that isn’t really important to me.”

It’s also important to acknowledge that you have the power to spend money on the things that you feel are personally worthwhile and that you don’t need to give in to spending money on things that aren’t important. Just because other people may spend carelessly, doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. How you spend your money should be your choice - no one else’s.

Personal finance should not be burden - it should be a joy. When you change your attitude about money from a negative to a positive, you free yourself from stress and worry, and open the door to freedom and pleasure.

Remember negative thoughts keep you poor, positive thoughts create abundance.

Sherrie Le Masurier is a columnist who writes extensively on personal finance issues. To learn more about how positive thoughts can create abundance visit her blog http://www.positivemoney.blogspot.com - Copyright.

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Debt levels are at an all time high in the UK. The younger generation tend to be feeling the pinch the most, but parents are increasingly being required to bail them out, often at great expense to their own limited mortgage or retirement savings.

It has become almost accepted as a fact of life that graduates will begin their careers with a considerable level of personal debt. The Association of Investment Trust Companies found that on average students expected to graduate with

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Ideally, what comes in does not necessary all go out to creditors. Unfortunately, most of us know, that is one of our better dreams. Sometimes we find all our dreams shattered completely. Would you be prepared?

Once upon a time, I was living the ideal life. I had an excellent paying job. Who had to worry about finances or budgets? Ha! Not me. In fact, I never really paid much attention to price tags. I just knew I wanted it so I bought it. I had money in the bank, a nice car and a swell cushy condo.

But, in a blink of an eye, my dream life turned into a nightmare and I was totally unprepared. It was very frightening and intimidating to realize I had to do something drastic. Consequently, I had to learn quick, fast and in a hurry how to reduce my debts and budget my money or I would literally be out in the street.

Health problems forced me to give up my wonderful job and every luxury that went with it. My savings dwindled and I went from riches to rags faster than greased lightning. The shame of it all, what would my family and friends think? Oh poor me. What did I ever do to deserve this? This is so not fair!

Turns out, I was my own worse enemy. My family still loves and supports me and my friends are still my friends. As soon as I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I resigned myself to the fact that this is the way it was going to be, nothing in the world was going to change it and I had better learn to live with it. Don’t misunderstand me, it took quite awhile to get to that point, but the point is I’m there and I didn’t fall off the face of the earth. I still enjoy life, my illness is not terminal, I’m just on a darn ol budget. Grumble, grumble.

Sound familiar? You see my friends, you are not alone. Hopefully you will accept the fact, sooner than I; you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Many, many families find themselves in the same boat. So come on, put on your life jackets and let’s row, row, row!

If you’ve lost your job, there is, of course, unemployment. And, depending on your circumstances, there are state and county agencies that offer additional benefits especially if you have children. It would be advantageous for you to investigate the possibilities. You may qualify for assistance such as; locating a job, temporary financial assistance, health care, food stamps, clothing banks, shelter and transportation.

Perhaps you’ve been spending more than you make and you find yourself in a serious financial situation. Let me share with you some of the ways you may be able to achieve some financial stability.

Obviously, you need to set up a spending plan or budget. But at this point, it will be of no value if you are robbing Peter to pay Paul.

First and foremost you need to reduce your debt and establish ways to save money. Once you’ve gotten your expenses inline, then develop a viable budget. You must discipline yourself to stick to it or you will find yourself without that life jacket and no boat to row, row, row.

You’ll need to do two things. Find some extra cash and reduce your debts. Here are some suggestions to help you achieve both. At the same time, you will be setting the ground work for your new budget.

Ways to obtain cash:
Have a garage or yard sale. I was amazed at the amount of money I pulled in.
You might want to look for a second job. I know, I know. What a yukky idea. But look on the bright side, it’s just until the crisis is over.

Sell that extra car.

Ways to reduce your expenses:
Refinance your home at a lower rate to reduce your mortgage payment. But do it now because the word on the street is that the Fed is going to increase the interest rate again!

Increase your insurance deductibles. Then shop around for better rates for your homeowners, auto, life and health insurances.
Stop eating out and prepare your dinners at home.
Start taking your lunch to work instead of buying it.

Shop with a grocery list and stick to it. Make your list using your grocery flyer and prepare your meals based on the specials. Take advantage of buy one, get one free offers. Be diligent and don’t buy what you really don’t need. Use coupons - most stores offer double the value. Buy store brands. Hey, don’t shake your head. I save plenty that way! If I, the once upon a time little princess, can do it so can you.
Cancel your memberships and magazine subscriptions. Instead of going to the gym, take walks, exercise at home. Take trips to your local library for magazines, newspapers and books.
Stay home instead of going out for entertainment. Curl up with a good book from the library and rent movies instead of going out to the movie theatre. Take trips to your local museums and free places of interest.
Cancel that cell phone or reduce your monthly bill by lowering your peak hour minutes to the minimum and only use your cell phone in an emergency.
Become a do-it yourselfer. Do your own home repair and change your own oil in your vehicles. Visit your local library for “how to” books.
Take a look at your utilities. Do you have any water leaks? Lower your thermostat a few degrees and inquire if your electric and gas company has a budget plan.
Shop at garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets and browse over the classified ads.

Shop at your dollar store for cleaning products, paper goods, and toiletries. Oh now, now be nice my dishes and clothes don’t know the difference and my teeth and hair haven’t fallen out yet.

There are so many other ways to reduce your expenses. Just exercise your common sense.

Most of the time money problems originate from our lifestyle choices. Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it.

Establish a realistic budget and make those sacrifices to live within your limits. To me, peace of mind costs a lot less than that new car I dream of owning. Who knows tomorrow I could meet Mr. Right or Mr. Down Right Filthy Rich *wink*

Lex lives in Ohio and is originally from NJ. She has three children and four grandchildren. Her hobbies include reading, crafting and writing.

She has been inducted into the TSWBA Bowling Hall of Fame and is a two time TSWBA Bowler of the Year. She is also a NJ Doubles and Women’s All Star Association Champion. Although she does not bowl now, she enjoys coaching young bowlers.

Currently, Lex is the financial advisor for a frugal living and sweepstakes group called “Our Winning Circle”. http://www.ourwinningcircle.net

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