How to Glow Up Your Finances in 7 Steps

When you hear the term “glow up”, you may think of a physical transformation. For instance,  you may feel more confident in your appearance as you start exercising regularly or dedicating more time to a skincare routine. What if you applied the same idea to transform your finances? Intentional care, good habits, and the right tools can give you the natural glow of a confident money manager. Here’s how to glow up your finances in seven simple steps.

1. Start with a financial checkup

Before you can begin to make changes, the first step in your financial transformation is to determine where you’re at. You can think of this like checking your grades halfway through the semester to see where you stand. When you’re just starting, it might be helpful to record important factors in a spreadsheet, like your income, expenses, debts, and savings.

Think of this as a snapshot of your financial health. Are you spending more on clothing each month than you realized? Could cancelling a rarely-used subscription free up cash for savings?  By being honest about where you stand, you’ll know exactly where to focus your energy next. If you haven’t been the best at managing your money lately, there may be more ground to cover. However, the bright side is that your financial glow up will be that much more noticeable. 

2. Define your money goals

Having direction for your finances can be life-changing. When you have a plan for where you want to end up, your financial future becomes more real. Take a moment to visualize your financial goals: Do you picture yourself making memories while studying abroad in London? Do you see yourself walking across the stage at graduation debt-free? Do you envision road tripping across the country in your new-to-you SUV? 

Setting long-term financial goals can provide clarity and purpose to your daily financial choices. It can be tough to find the motivation to take on an extra shift or to turn down a ski trip with friends. However, remembering your long-term goals can help you make the best choices today. To make your money dreams more clear, try setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. These are goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For instance, an effective S.M.A.R.T. goal may be, “In three years, I want to pay off $10,000 of my student loans.” When you track your progress, seeing the numbers grow can be incredibly motivating.

3. Map your financial journey

Once your goals are set, it’s time to create a plan to make them a reality. While there may be a considerable gap between where you’re starting and where you want to go, don’t let this discourage you. Setting short-term money goals can help you bridge the gap. Short-term goals are stepping stones to achieving your longer-term aspirations. If you break down the student loan example above, saving $10,000 over three years is $278 a month, which seems much more achievable. 

Another valuable financial tool is a budget, which can greatly assist you in achieving your goals.  Some people may shy away from budgeting because they feel that it is too restrictive. However, budgets can enhance your financial freedom. The key is to create a budget that you actually want to follow. This could mean using an attractive budget template or allowing for some indulgences, like sweet treats. Budgeting helps you gain control of your financial situation, and in turn, gain confidence in managing your money.

4. Adopt small, lasting habits

When you have a clear vision of your financial goals, it may be tempting to want to overhaul your finances overnight. Yet, rushing into changes can quickly lead to burnout, especially if you make a money mistake that negatively impacts your plan. This financial setback may cause you to fall back into old habits and negate any progress that you’ve made. 

If you want your positive money habits to last, you must implement them sustainably. Begin with small steps and celebrate each achievement. Instead of swearing off coffee runs or weekend plans altogether, try phasing out bad habits little by little. For example, make coffee at home twice per week or set a $20 spending limit for a night out. These small changes can really add up. Set yourself up for success by finding ways to make following your financial plan more simple and manageable. 

5. Stay in your own lane

It’s easy to feel discouraged by friends or influencers posting about their lavish lifestyles and their latest vacations. Yet, there is often a significant difference between appearing wealthy and being wealthy. With social media, you usually don’t see the full picture. People may be dipping into their savings or accumulating debt to maintain their aesthetic lifestyle. In his book The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel states, “Spending money to show people how much money you have is the fastest way to have less money.” 

To benefit your own financial journey, reduce your exposure to people or situations that make you feel inadequate in your money situation. Unfollow influencers or mute friends who are constantly flaunting their money status. If you ever feel pressured to keep up financially, take a deep breath and remind yourself to look at the bigger picture. Focus on your personal goals, such as paying off credit card debt or saving for a safe spring break trip, and ignore the distractions. Ultimately, the only person who truly knows your situation and intentions is you.

6. Make it simple

When managing your finances, you are on your own team. You don’t want to make it difficult to fulfill your financial achievements. If you want to grow your savings, try paying yourself first. This involves moving a portion of your income from your checking to a high yield savings account before you spend it on anything else. It’s like paying your future self before covering bills, buying groceries, or spending on wants.

In addition, you can enroll in auto-pay for your bills and subscriptions to help ensure you never miss a payment. Setting up automatic payments will help you save money on late fees or interest charges. Automating your finances will also help you free up space in your brain and relieve money stress. Yet, this doesn’t give you permission to kick back and ignore your financial situation. Automation makes managing your money a lot more simple and enjoyable, but you’re still at the helm of the ship. 

7. Keep taking the next right step

Managing your finances can be challenging. It’s easy to feel discouraged or lose sight of the future when you’re facing tough times. Remember, all you need to do is focus on taking the next right step. Maybe today it’s skipping takeout, tomorrow it’s creating a budget, and next month it’s paying off your first debt. These small wins will add up faster than you think. When your financial stress decreases, you can devote more time to other important aspects of life, such as your mental health and overall well-being.

Continue to educate yourself about money and increase your financial literacy. You can explore your options by reading books, listening to money podcasts, or following financial education pages on social media. Your transformation may take two weeks, two months, or even two years, but you can begin your fresh start today. Every small step you take builds motivation on your financial journey and brings you closer to financial freedom

Although “glow up” may be a popular phrase today, taking pride in your personal finances is a timeless practice. It may take time and effort, just like a balanced diet may require you to eat more fruits and vegetables or improving your posture may require frequent stretching. Yet, these seven steps can help you transform your finances. At the end of the day, glowing up your finances isn’t just about numbers. It’s about reclaiming control and building a future you’re excited to live in. Your financial glow-up starts with one small step: what will yours be?