As a mum, you already have a lot on your plate. You want what’s best for your family, you want financial security, and you also just want to eat dinner on time. We all know that mums can do it all, but that doesn’t mean they don’t struggle with productivity from time to time.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and like there aren’t enough hours in the day. However, it is also possible to manage your time and master your money. Try these tips to hit the ground running this year.
Managing Your Time
Before you can master your money, you need a strategy for managing your time. Whether you work from home, stay at home with your kids, or simply need more time to yourself, time management is key. It’s not as simple as just saying there’s something you want to do and getting it done.
One of the first struggles is realizing how you’re actually spending your time. Start with a “time audit.” Keep track of just how much time you’re spending on different things throughout your day. Using a tool like Humanity, you’ll begin to see just how much time you’re spending each day on even minuscule tasks.
Next, it’s time to practice good time management. Like any other skill, it takes time to master. As a mum, it’s hard to always know what your schedule is going to be like. One of the biggest challenges is adapting to the ever-changing routine of being a mum. However, it is possible to set a schedule and stick to it. Try these scheduling tips for mums:
- Set Expectations – Be realistic with your daily goals. It’s okay to set the bar low to make sure you get the most important things done first.
- Eat the Frog First – The saying “eat the frog” means that you should always do the hardest thing on your schedule first. It sounds silly, but doing the hardest thing first helps you stay motivated.
- Work Around Naptime – Perhaps you can’t always plan to spend time working on your business or your chores during the day when your kiddos are up and about. Planning to work in any of the downtimes will make sure you can take time for what matters without taking time away from your family.
- Create a Family Routine – Young kids love routines. As a mum, you should too. Sticking with a routine as best as you can, whether that means waking up at the same time or taking naptime in the afternoon, will help you learn to optimize your time.
As you can see, there is a lot of trial and error that goes into managing your time. Like all skills, don’t be surprised if things don’t work perfectly on the first try. Adapt and keep pushing forward.
Master Your Family’s Money
Learning to manage your money isn’t always as easy as it sounds. In June 2018, the average debt per household in the U.K. was £58,540. Of course, this includes mortgage debt, but that’s still a significant chunk of change. The better you’re able to master your own time, the better grip you’ll have on your family’s finances.
First, start with your own money. While you might mix funds with your spouse, you can’t help others until you’ve helped yourself. Add up all of your individual bills, from debt to transportation. You don’t need anything fancy for this step, just a pen and a calculator. From there, build a budget. Where is your money going every month? How much are you spending on bills? How much do you have left over?
Finally, create a system for saving. All mums need a savings plan, whether they’re building an emergency fund or planning the future. Start with saving what you can afford, and build from there. This might mean starting your own side hustle to get some extra cash. Check this blog for more business ideas.
As a mum, you’re a jack of all trades. Finding the best way to manage your time that works for your family will help you make better decisions for your future. In addition, if you want to master your money, you also need to manage your time. Start one step at a time.
This is a collaborative post.