Something I had to accept
For years I told myself I'd start saving "next month." When I get the raise. When things calm down.
The truth is I knew exactly what to do. Spend less than you earn. Automate savings. Invest early. I knew all of it.
But knowing wasn't the problem. The problem was that deep down I didn't actually believe I was the kind of person who could be good with money. So every time I tried, something would come up. A justification here. A small purchase there. And I'd end up exactly where I started.
The shift happened when I stopped trying to save and started automating it. First thing when my paycheck hit, a fixed amount moved out before I could touch it. Not what was left over. First.
Three months later I had more saved than in the previous two years combined.
Has anyone else realized their money problem was really an identity problem? What changed it for you?