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March marks the beginning of the first quarter while April is the first month of the second quarter. As an individual or as a small business person, you can also learn to apply this same method to your finances. Develop a quarterly view or outlook on it and I assure you, you will be glad you did. Below are 4 tips to help you improve your finances this quarter.
Have A Financial Goal
Just like I pointed out in the introduction, big businesses have habits of setting financial goals for themselves. As an individual or small business owner, you also need to set financial goals for yourself. Now, in setting this goal, you have to take into consideration where you are currently and where you can reach from where you are. Oftentimes, I see many people set outrageous financial goals for themselves that are not in any way relative to where they are and where they can get. Yes, I believe in miracles and faith but life is lived in stages and sizes. And you have to work on the stage you are currently to move to the next stages before you. So, don’t set such goals as hitting 25 million Naira in three months when you have never in your life hit 2 million Naira in a year.Focus
Focus is an age-long secret of success that is fast losing its relevance in this present age. We now live in a fast-paced age of social media when it takes extra hard work, diligence and dedication to keep yourself focused without being distracted. Focus is a great skill that will ensure you achieve whatever you set out to achieve. So, having set your financial goal, the next important thing to do is to focus on them. Find ways to achieve them. Invest your time, energy and resources towards them and give them all they require. If you need to take time off from social gatherings, please do. If you need to take time off social media, please do. Shut every door through which distraction could creep in.Sign up to the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Keep Track of Your Finances
When last did you take out time to find out how much money you have spent within a given time and what you spent them on? Not many do that. However, to improve your finances, you need to understand where your money is coming from and where they are going. When you know this, you will be in a better position to know what source of income brings in the more money to focus more on them and also you will know the various expenses you have been making that are not necessary to stop them. So, keep track of your income, keep track of your expenses. There are so many mobile applications available on your app store that can help you in this regard.Save Before You Spend
When of the habits you should work on developing in this quarter is the savings habit, just in case you don’t yet have it. You may have heard pieces of advice that seek to deride saving money. Believe such at your own risk. No matter who is giving you the advice, such can do more harm to you than good. You need to understand that savings are one of the basic forms of investment. When you save, you are simply putting aside today the finance to take care of your needs tomorrow. However, in saving, you must not save everything you make but find ways to recommit part of it towards making more money for yourself. Featured Image Source: iStockGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com