There are many ways to be different with money that don’t require living like a pauper or living ultra frugal.

According to www.debt.org the average American under age 35 is $67,400 in debt, and the average American from ages 45-54 is $134,000 in debt. You don’t want that to be you, but if it is you, there is hope!

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1. Pay off your debt

Shock the world, put together a plan and pay off your debt. You can do it. You just have to be intentional and focused.

Click Here for to learn about two of the most common methods for paying off large chunks of debt.

2. Pay yourself first

Don’t talk about it, be about it. It’s not just a cliché, It actually really works.

Commit to investing a percentage, or chunk, of your money in stocks, index funds, or mutual funds. Automate it so you don’t have to think about it.

You may consider increasing the percentage you invest in your jobs 401(k) or 403(b). This means pay yourself right alongside your essentials like food, water, electricity, tithing or giving,

3. Use cash, not credit

If you want to really be different with money, drop the credit cards.

Perhaps keep one with a zero balance if you have the discipline not to use it, and start living your life by cash or debit card. Your friends and family will look at you crazy, but that’s ok.

Try the envelop method. I’ve used the envelope method for the last 30 years and it’s kept me discipline. Give it a shot. The envelope system explained.

It takes consistent discipline to only spend what you actually have in cash or in the bank.

4. Buy an investment property

You cannot go wrong adding resources, capital, and assets that are going up in value to your life.

Whether it’s a single family property, land, a duplex, multiple family units, or vacation home you plan to rent out, appreciating assets like real estate, are great investments.

Check out the video below to get started investing in real estate

5. Start a business

Take whatever you do well, market it, test it by giving it away first, perfect it, then sell it.

Whether you knit sweaters, fix cars, organize closets, or bake cakes, it doesn’t matter. Turn it into a business.

It doesn’t have to be elaborate to start, just start. Side gigs and online business are super popular and growing.

Check out our YouTube Channel HERE

6. Learn a new skill around technology

The wave of the future is apps, social media, google and SEO analytics, artificial intelligence, web development, cyber security, and building software.

Perhaps you can use social media to enhance your knowledge in these areas or take a couple of classes to broaden your work or career options?

7. Use social media for business only

In order to be different your money, you have to begin to be different with how you use your time.

Use your time efficiently and be mindful of senseless scrolling on social media feeds.

This means you won’t be responding to Facebook posts, taking selfies for Instagram, or making Tik Tok videos regularly.

People will ask you what’s going on? Being different with money, means spending less time on social media, unless you are using social media to make money.

Check out some amazing social media usage statistics HERE

8. Focus on your money, not on other people

Get so focused on what you are doing with your money, income, expenses, and investments, that you leave no time to criticize other people.

I’m not saying worship money. I’m saying be laser focused on being intentional with it.

Most people are too concerned with other people, and that keeps a lot of people just doing what everyone else does with their money.

9. Calculate your net worth once a quarter

List your assets and your liabilities and do the calculation. Figure your net worth on a regular basis and work to increase your net worth.

Most people never even calculate their net worth, let alone focus on building it. Try it, and you will be surprised.

Here are 7 ways to increase your net worth.

10. Read a good non-fiction money book a month

For some people, this is where the rubber meets the road. The more information you have, the more opportunities you have to make changes.

I know we live in an era where cell phones, tablets, and audiobooks are more common then just plain books, but there is definitely something to be said for picking up a book and reading.

Reading a book is one of the best ways to improve your knowledge on the topic of money. Reading 12 books a year about money will change your life. I guarantee it. Check out 5 books to get started

11. Expand your circle

Add the right people to your circle, and remove people from your circle that don’t fit where you are trying to go.

Start getting to know people that are successfully doing what you want to do.

” Don’t spend major time with minor people”

Dr. George Fraser

Part of the reason we stay stuck doing what we do with money is because we don’t have friends or family that do anything different than we do.

Try getting to know people that are in a position that you want to be in sometime in the future. It’s a great way to change your perspective!

Bottom Line:

If you keep doing what you’ve been doing with money, you will continue to get the same outcomes. Keep in mind that there are many ways to be different with money.

It’s going to take discipline, hard work, thick skin, and intentionality! But you can do it!

Click Below to get 4 Steps to help you get the most out of your money

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eric is the founder of Smart Money Bro, a blog about empowering people and discussing practical ways ordinary people can be extraordinary with their money. He only writes about things that he has done, and that actually work.

He’s made mistakes and has turned his financial future around and is now in the position to help others do what he’s done. Read More