Money Management Principle – It’s Time for a Spring Clean

Spring has finally arrived in Cape Town. I love this season. It is when things start to warm up, and everything seems to be a little brighter. Last week, I took a walk in my garden, and I noticed a few trees that were barren over the winter months and now have new green shoots coming out. By summer, they will be vital and green, full of leaves and hopefully some fruit.

Spring is a great time to start afresh.

I heard someone mention that they would do a “spring clean.” At the beginning of Spring, many people around the world will do a clean-up after the long winter months. Spring cleaning is typically a time to take stock, clean out the rubbish, and get things looking good for summer. 

If your walk with God has broken down, why don’t you do a spiritual detox and eliminate the rubbish getting in the way? Then, you can decide to restart it.

Spring is a Great Time to Do a “Spring Clean” 

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to tear down and a time to build.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4) 

Why not consider doing a spring clean on your finances? 

Use this season to eliminate bad financial practices and build new habits that lead to a fruitful financial future.

You may say, “But Clinton, I don’t think I need a financial spring clean.”

Statistics show that many are battling to make ends meet. Many are living above their means, and many are getting deeper and deeper into debt. 

I don’t know if you know this, but many people are cash-strapped.

Only two to three out of every ten people have any money left at the end of the month, while seven to eight out of every ten people are flat broke.

One in every two people with credit cards and home loans struggles to make payments. 

These shocking and disheartening statistics show that most people can do with a financial “spring clean.” 

I believe it is time for you to break the old cycle. It is time to tear down the destructive habits that leave you disillusioned and build some good habits that will help you build toward a fruitful financial future—one where you can begin not just to survive but thrive! 

You may be living beyond your cash flow means. You may be eroding your ability to build wealth due to reckless spending. You may be handling your money poorly. You may have a serious money problem. It’s time for a financial “spring clean.”

Dave Ramsey says, “If you want something you have never had, you’ll need to do something you’ve never done!”

You cannot do the same thing the same way and expect a different result. Something needs to change!

Today, I want to encourage you to do a financial “spring clean.” You can look at your finances and see your problem as an opportunity. If you will change your habits, everything can change for you. If you have a financial problem, face it. If you want to change your current situation, you must be prepared to change your habits. 

You may be living in survival mode, desperately trying to keep your head above water.

It is time to tear down your debts and rebuild your finances. 

Why don’t you choose to give up on your old way of doing things that may not be working?

Why don’t you choose to change the way you do things that haven’t worked? 

Why don’t you try a new strategy that can lead you to success?

With God’s help, you can solve your problems, fix the areas that have been failing, and change your habits!

“I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Nothing is too difficult for God. And He wants to walk the journey out of debt with you!

With a good “spring clean,” you can clean up your finances.

With some “elbow grease” (hard work and discipline) and a clear plan, you can tidy up your financial affairs and set a new course toward a brighter and more fruitful financial future. 

It is time to let go of the ways that are not working. It is a time to dare to dream and move forward with a clean slate and a fresh vision. 

Most of us need an urgent financial “spring clean.” 

Are Your Priorities Messed Up?

Many are managing their hard-earned money back-to-front.

Imagine having no debt repayments to make: 

Wouldn’t your lifestyle and family life improve?

Imagine if you turned your financial affairs around and could put God first with your money. Wouldn’t your joy and peace levels improve, knowing you could give your best to God?

Imagine starting to build up your savings before spending your money. 

Wouldn’t having access to a cash flow reserve to fund unexpected expenses relieve financial pressure?  

Imagine if you had a plan where you invested part of your hard-earned money and managed to build up a lump sum for your future.

Wouldn’t this give you something to look forward to?

It is time to do a “spring clean.” 

Get rid of the rubbish. It’s time to clean up your finances. This is the season to align your financial priorities and manage your money correctly.

You must have a vision and a clear plan. 

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverb 29:18)

Set up a plan to move forward.

God has a plan for you and wants to walk the journey with you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Put First Things First!

You may have messed up your finances, but you can do a “spring clean.” You can fix your financial problems. You can repair your broken systems. If you want to build towards a fruitful financial future, you need to get your financial priorities in order.

With God’s help, you can solve your problems, fix the areas that have been failing, and change your habits.

Your financial “spring clean” will…

• Reveal your problem areas
• Allow you to clean out the rubbish 
• Allow you to start constructing some good financial habits that can help you build towards a brighter tomorrow 

I would encourage you to ask yourself three questions…

1. Where are you at present? 

• Analyze your current situation

2. Where would you like to be? 

• Dare to dream
• Set out your goals and objectives

3. How can you get there? 

• Set up a plan and a budget to help you achieve these goals
• Get determined
• Form some good habits

Above all, remember that God holds all the answers and solutions. So, hold onto Him.

God wants to be the central part of your life. He wants to walk the journey with you, so consult Him, rest in Him, and rely on Him.

Happy “spring cleaning.” 

It’s time for a spring clean. With God at your side, you can begin again.