Everybody understands the basic principles of money management; you tally up your expenses and income and hope you have more money coming in than going out. However, that’s easier said than done for many. We’ve put together this short list of ideas for inspiring yourself to work hard and be in a better position financially.

Make Lists

When you’re trying to accomplish a goal, making a few lists is never a bad idea. You can make a list of all the expenses you have to see what you’re spending each month, or you could make a list of different ways to make a bit of extra money on the side. You might even consider simply making a list of pros and cons to financial discipline or reasons why you want to be in a better place financially.

Inspire with Art

For quite some time now, people have been turning to art forms like music, movies and television to get inspiration, and you can too. Whether you’re watching an informational documentary about somebody who improved their financial situation or simply listening to some music that puts you in a happy, energetic mood, using art as inspiration is always good.

One thing to be careful with is overindulging. As great as it can be to sit down for a few episodes of your favorite TV show every now and again, you don’t want to spend so much time enjoying movies and TV that you’re neglecting taking the time to improve your finances.

Special Someone

Why do you want to put yourself in a better place financially? For a lot of people, the answer has something to do with the people around them. Many of us want to be able to provide for our families or help out our ailing parents, and keeping a reminder of why we work hard close by at all times is a good way to stay focused.

Mixbook allows you to take photos of family or pets you love and turn them into products that can be placed around your home or office, such as calendars, photo books, Christmas photo cards and more. All you have to do is go to their website, upload a photo of your choosing, then spend a few minutes customizing your product to make sure it’s right. A calendar full of family photos is a great reminder of why you work so hard.

Take It Easy

Above all else, don’t stress yourself out too much. Financial gain is important, but so is your emotional well-being. On your path to financial freedom, make sure you take a break every now and then to enjoy yourself, spend time with those you love and appreciate your own efforts.