Fix Your Finances: Four Ways to Change Spending Behavior

In this lesson you'll break down the lifecycle of your financial life, from your past, to your present, to your future.

In this first Take Action section you'll use a few highlighters and your bank statement to determine how much of your current income is going to your past, present, and future.

Debt obligates you to your past. It can also prevent your current dollars from preparing you for your future. In this lesson we'll discuss the three common methods people use to pay off debt, and which is the best to use. Use the workbook to figure up your net worth. Net worth is an excellent way to measure progress.

You need to get out of debt. You know this. Here is a plan to get you there. Use the 'Momentum Method' table in your workbook to chart your course.

Not spending money is great, but it isn't the same thing as saving money. In this lesson we'll discuss the difference and how you can correct the problem.

Use the chart in your workbook to figure up your weekly spending average. Then track your weekly spending for the next 9 weeks. Any time you spend less than your spending average make a transfer to your savings account.

Math won't solve all your financial problems. Behavior is the real key. In this lesson we'll go through ways you can fix your financial life in the long-term.