Published On: April 28, 2023
It’s Karen McCall here, and I am absolutely delighted to kick off our brand-new MoneyGrit.® blog! We’re all about fostering a vibrant community and providing you with top-notch information to help you thrive in your financial journey. Get ready for a wealth of insights, tools, and inspiration that will truly make a difference in your life.
In this exciting debut blog post, we’re thrilled to introduce the MoneyGrit. Manifesto! This go-to guide highlights important principles to stay aware of as you transform your relationship with money.
Committing to these principles will bring about a remarkable change in your life.
Before we dive into the meaning and significance of the Manifesto, let me share it with you in its entirety:
The MoneyGrit. Manifesto
- I know my needs from my wants and avoid settling for less. No more deprivation!
- I’m conscious and connected to my money. I track all money in and all money out. I’m committed to staying out of the financial fog.
- No more Money/Life Drain! I break free from overspending, under-earning, or constant debt to create a healthy financial future.
- No more money secrets! I no longer keep money secrets from myself or others. Goodbye, secrecy and shame!
- One month at a time, I create a realistic spending and earning plan for both my personal life and, if I am a business owner, for my business. Money in check, life in check!
- Saving success unlocked! I embrace the habit of saving, shatter limiting beliefs, and say goodbye to procrastination.
Now that you’ve read the MoneyGrit. Manifesto, let’s explore how it supports the principles that MoneyGrit. is based on and how this blog will help you understand its significance.
The Power of the MoneyGrit. Manifesto
This Manifesto can serve as a reminder of the power of the MoneyGrit. Process when used to its fullest. This process has brought transformation to the lives of those who have embraced it, and I know it can for you too.
To provide clarity and context, let’s break down the Manifesto, revealing its connection to the core principles of MoneyGrit.
- Distinguishing between needs and wants: You Can Never Get Enough of What You Don’t Need!
Unmet needs quietly snowball, leading to deprivation. Deprivation is subtle, yet powerful, shaping our choices from the shadows. This empty, longing state is born when our core needs – physical, emotional, social, or spiritual – go unmet.
It’s crucial to grasp this concept! That is also why creating a Needs and Wants List is not just an exercise. As you hone it, the list will become a valuable tool that will help you to make fully conscious, healthy choices while creating your spending plans.
Tip: We’ve built the Needs and Wants list right into MoneyGrit.
- Getting conscious and connected: Being stuck in the financial fog can make money problems seem scarier and even worsen them. Modern payment methods, such as credit cards, mobile wallets, payment apps, and contactless payments, can contribute to this vagueness by creating a disconnect between us and our money. Additionally, online shopping platforms like Amazon and eBay make spending easy and sometimes impulsive.
Modern banking has also made it easier for us to drift into the financial fog. Instant transfers and auto-payments can lead to a lack of awareness, leaving us unsure about our financial standing.
By embracing this principle, we commit to tracking our income and expenses, bringing transparency and clarity to our financial lives. This conscious connection to our money helps us navigate our finances with confidence, make informed decisions, and ultimately, establish a healthier relationship with money.
Tip: MoneyGrit. is designed with features to cut through your financial fog and give total clarity.
3. No more Money/Life Drain: I am actively overcoming the three critical conditions that contribute to the Money/Life Drain
Overspending: I have taken control of my spending habits, ensuring that I spend within my means and in alignment with my values. This allows me to prioritize what truly matters in my life.
Under-earning: I confidently advocate for fair compensation, recognizing the value of my work and securing the income I need.
Chronic debting: I have broken free from the cycle of chronic debting by paying off my credit cards and avoiding new debt, regaining my financial control and peace of mind.
By addressing these core issues, I have reversed the downward spiral of the Money/Life Drain, empowering myself to make the most of my time, energy, and resources.
TIP: MoneyGrit. is your go-to tool for plugging the Money/Life Drain.
4. No more money secrets!: When it comes to our money, there are two types of secrets:
- Secrets we hide from ourselves
- Secrets we hide from others
Both of these secrets can have a profound impact on our emotional well-being, often leading to feelings of shame and isolation. It’s time for us to confront these secrets and bring them out into the open, where they can no longer control us.
You can live without money secrets. You no longer have to live under the shadow of shame or fear. You will no longer be haunted by the ghosts of your financial past and the constant ache of feeling that the future holds no hope. Imagine feeling proud of your financial accomplishments and also knowing that you have nothing to hide, no secrets lurking behind a façade.
TIP: remember self-compassion; as Maya Angelou said, “You did then what you knew how to do, and when you knew better, you did better.”
5. Your money GPS: Creating a spending and earning plan is a practical tool for meeting your needs with the resources you have. Think of it as a GPS for your money, guiding you step by step from your current financial situation to the life you desire.
Whether you’re managing personal finances or running a business, having a realistic plan is essential for making informed decisions about your spending and earning. Without a plan, it’s difficult to reach your desired destination, but with a well-crafted guide, you have a clear path to take you from where you are now to where you want to go.
As you consistently follow your plan, you’ll experience the satisfaction of keeping your money in check and creating a life that aligns with your values and aspirations.
With a solid plan in place, you can confidently navigate the journey toward your financial goals, knowing that you have a reliable roadmap leading the way.
TIP: MoneyGrit. has both a Personal and a Business version.
6. Embrace the Saving Mindset: Many people struggle with saving money; I know I have. I’ve identified three main obstacles that often get in the way.
- Haven’t developed the habit of saving.
- Have belief systems about money that prevent you from saving.
- Simple procrastation.
Everyone understands the importance of savings, but in reality 70% of Americans have less than $1,000 stashed away. The reasons for this are rarely related to how much money they have; instead, it often comes down to their beliefs and habits.
I get how impossible it is to save while trying to make ends meet. And we’ve been taught that it’s crazy to save while carrying credit card debt with over 20 percent interest.
I found that most non savers just accepted the fact that this is the way it is. But there is a another way!
It’s all about understanding the different types of savings and their purposes: covering periodic expenses, having a safety net, and growing wealth.
Start by saving for non-monthly, periodic expenses. Think of this as a “revolving savings account”, so that when you use it for your periodic expenses you won’t feel guilty. This step can change the mind set of a non saver. It can feel good to have the money set aside when car repairs or back to school expenses come up. Periodic savings can also stop the cycle of yo yo debting.
As you become more comfortable with saving, you can explore the next levels: building a safety net and growing wealth. We’ll discuss these in future blogs.
TIP: MoneyGrit.’s Periodic Expense Calendar is designed to help you become a saver.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this first blog.
In the upcoming blog posts, we’ll explore various principles and strategies that are key to developing a healthy relationship with money. We’ll discuss practical tools and real-life examples to help you thrive in your financial journey.
So let’s embark on this adventure together and create a life that truly reflects our values and aspirations.
