Do you find your monthly income barely covers your living costs?

“If you don’t value your time, neither will others. Stop giving away your time and talents. Value what you know & start charging for it.” – Kim Garst

Do you find your monthly income barely covers your living costs? I feel there are a lot of people who can relate to this. I know I can. I feel that I grew up in an environment that made me think negatively about the want of money. Therefore, I did not prioritise or respect the importance of knowing about how to manage my money. I focused more on doing something I loved and how much I made was not really that important. 

There were times in my life, where this worked really well. I worked hard at things I loved and made really good money. Nevertheless, I was oblivious to the importance of saving or financial planning for my future. This means I lived day by day, month by month. Being self-employed had its own financial challenges. It can be a feast or a famine. I didn’t understand how much to charge for my own financial sustainability. This meant there were many times where I was a happy Sam who loved what I did, although a very stressed Sam because I wasn’t able to meet my monthly rent. Myself and my partner had many stone soups. We survived of course, although it has made me realise how important putting value to your time and how you need to be able to understand the management of your money, for your long term wellbeing.   

I am not saying you need to find a career which pays well is the most important goal, it’s about balance. It’s an essential ingredient in finding a life purpose that sustains you and allows you to flourish. This topic, of getting paid for what we do, is covered in the  ‘Pathways to Purpose’ programme, giving you essential tools in helping you design a roadmap for finding your purpose.