Financial cues, routines, and rewards: Oh My!

In last week's blog, I talked about the power of habits.  This week I'm going to delve into the transformative practice of mindful spending, mindful saving, and mindful investing by exploring the pivotal role of cues, routines, and rewards. By understanding how these elements intertwine, we unlock the power to reshape our financial habits, cultivate discipline, and foster a healthier relationship with money. In this blog, I will delve into the significance of cues, the power of intentional routines, and the rewards that await those who embark on this mindful journey towards financial well-being. I provide three examples of cues, routines, and rewards for mindful spending, mindful saving, and mindful investing.

Mindful Spending:

• Cue: Feeling the urge to make an impulse purchase or seeing a sale advertisement.
• Routine: Pause and ask yourself if the purchase aligns with your values and long-term goals. Consider if it brings true satisfaction and joy.
• Reward: Feeling a sense of contentment and fulfillment from making intentional, value-aligned purchases.

• Cue: Entering a store or browsing an online shopping website.
• Routine: Before making a purchase, ask yourself if it is a necessity or a want. Consider if there are alternative options that align better with your budget and values.
• Reward: Experiencing a sense of financial freedom and peace of mind, knowing that you are making conscious decisions and avoiding unnecessary expenses.

• Cue: Receiving a credit card bill or monthly financial statement.
• Routine: Take the time to review and analyze your expenses, categorizing them and identifying areas where you can make adjustments or cut back.
• Reward: Feeling empowered and in control of your finances, knowing that you are making intentional choices and actively managing your spending.

Mindful Saving:

• Cue: Receiving your paycheck or any other income.
• Routine: Automatically transfer a portion of your income to a designated savings account or investment vehicle.
• Reward: Witnessing your savings grow over time, knowing you're building a financial safety net or working towards a specific goal.

• Cue: Setting a specific financial goal, such as saving for a down payment on a home or a dream vacation.
• Routine: Implement a habit of regularly setting aside a percentage of your income towards your goal, tracking your progress, and adjusting as needed.
• Reward: Experiencing the satisfaction and excitement as you get closer to reaching your savings goal, knowing that you are making progress towards your desired outcome.

• Cue: Receiving a raise or bonus at work.
• Routine: Instead of increasing your spending immediately, commit to saving a portion of the extra income by automatically diverting it to a savings account or investment vehicle.
• Reward: Seeing your savings grow even faster, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and knowing that you are leveraging your increased income to secure your financial future.

Mindful Investing:

• Cue: Receiving a bonus or having additional funds available for investment.
• Routine: Conduct thorough research and educate yourself about different investment options and risk levels. Develop a diversified investment portfolio.
• Reward: Experiencing the potential growth of your investments over the long term and building wealth for your future financial security.

• Cue: Receiving an annual investment statement or financial report.
• Routine: Set aside time to review your investment performance, assess the alignment of your portfolio with your goals, and consider rebalancing if necessary.
• Reward: Feeling informed and confident in your investment decisions, knowing that you are proactively managing your portfolio and maximizing its potential for growth.

• Cue: Reading or hearing about a successful investment story or seeing an opportunity in the market.
• Routine: Conduct thorough research and analysis on the investment opportunity, including evaluating its alignment with your investment strategy and risk tolerance.
• Reward: Experiencing the potential financial gains from a well-researched and thoughtfully executed investment, reinforcing your confidence in your investment decision-making abilities.

These examples are general and can be adapted based on your own circumstances and preferences. The key here is to be aware of the cues that trigger your financial behaviors, establish intentional routines that align with your goals, and recognize the rewards that come from practicing mindful spending, saving, and investing.