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A Self-Learning Journey to Financial Confidence, Clarity, and Freedom

Getting Started: Why This Toolkit Matters

This is more than a toolkit—it’s a shared journey. A guide crafted with heart, experience, and the deep belief that every woman deserves the confidence and tools to shape her own financial future. Welcome to the EmpowerHER e-Toolkit, created by women, for women, to support you in building not only financial knowledge but also a resilient, empowered mindset. The idea for this self-learning toolkit began—like many meaningful things—with a conversation. A conversation between two women who’ve spent years working with others, listening deeply, learning, and teaching.

Toolkit objectives

Our story

Chapters of Change

This chapter reframes saving not just as a financial habit, but as a bold act of empowerment—especially for women navigating systemic and cultural money barriers. It explores smart saving strategies, the psychology of money, lifestyle inflation, and how even small savings can build freedom, resilience, and confidence.

The chapter highlights financial literacy as a key life skill for managing money wisely, overcoming inequality, and planning for a secure future. It encourages reflection on personal values around money and promotes lifelong learning in budgeting, saving, and investing.

This chapter shows how setting financial goals is about building freedom, not just counting euros. By understanding where you are now and where you want to be, you can create a real action plan instead of just hoping things will change. It breaks down short-, mid-, and long-term goals and offers practical tools to track progress and stay motivated — because every clear goal is a step closer to personal power.

This chapter highlights self-awareness as the key to financial independence, exploring how personal money beliefs shaped by family and culture influence financial behavior. It introduces four "money scripts" and encourages reflection through exercises like identifying limiting beliefs, affirming strengths, and journaling. These tools aim to foster a healthier, empowered financial mindset.

Budgeting isn’t one-size-fits-all. From classic planning to the 50/30/20 rule and envelope systems, the key is finding a method that fits your lifestyle. Budgeting empowers you to track your spending, define your priorities, and prepare for the future — with clarity and freedom.

Chapter 4 "Saving as a Form of Strength"

Chapter 2 "Financial Literacy in a Nutshell"

“Every time you say ‘no’ to unnecessary spending, you're saying ‘yes’ to your future.”

""Financial literacy is not a luxury—it’s a life skill that empowers you to shape your future with intention."

Chapter 3 "Types of Budgets: Pick What Works for You"

Chapter 1 "Me"

Chapter 5 "Mapping Your Money Journey

"The more I learn about myself, the more I can shape my future, not by what I have, but by how I think about what I have."

"A goal without a plan is just a wish. Map your journey — and own your future."

"Budgeting isn’t about limiting your life — it’s about giving your money purpose."

"Me"

Understanding your inner self is a crucial step for anyone embarking on a journey to financial independence. Whether you’re choosing a university course, starting a business, making investments, or building your finances, self-awareness lays the foundation for informed decisions. Just as you might inherit physical traits or personal interests from your family, you often inherit their attitudes and beliefs about money. These money mindsets pass down alongside cherished heirlooms, family photos, and cultural traditions. Identifying your personal money beliefs is essential for self-discovery and is the first step toward achieving financial freedom. Before diving deeper into financial strategies, consider that finances encompass much more than saving and earning. They reflect your values, cultural background, and personal interpretation of what money means in your life. Imagine a common scenario in therapy: instead of immediately addressing relationship issues, the psychologist starts by asking about childhood experiences — “How was your relationship with your parents?” This approach reveals that early family dynamics often shape our adult relationships. Similarly, your family’s financial attitudes heavily influence your own beliefs about money. If you’ve ever worked with a coach, you know that effective coaching goes beyond practical advice. It involves exploring deep, sometimes uncomfortable personal questions to uncover barriers to success. While our minds naturally resist complexity, examining our inner beliefs — about money, well-being, and happiness - is crucial to developing a healthy financial life.

“Money Beliefs” Studies identified four key factors, in other words, “money scripts”, that shape our attitudes:

Money Avoidance

Money Worship

Money Status

Money Vigilance

"Me": Exercises

I Am Remarkable

We invite you to explore these dimensions to identify your own money beliefs. By discovering any underlying blocks or fears, organizing your finances more comfortably, and aligning your actions with the life you dream of, you can harness money as a tool rather than letting its value dictate your happiness. Remember, money is just a tool—and its true value is ever-changing in our dynamic world.

Transform Your Mindset

Scaling Money Up

Your Money, Your Mindset

Journaling for Financial Self-Awareness

“Financial Literacy in a Nutshell”

In today’s fast-paced, consumer-driven world, conversations often revolve around material possessions and finances. Naturally, understanding how to manage your resources is essential for living a quality life. But before diving into practical exercises, we invite you to pause and reflect:

• What does financial literacy mean to you?
• What does money represent in your life?
• What does financial success look like for you?

Take a few moments to think about these questions. Each of us has unique needs, desires, and life goals, and understanding your personal relationship with money is the first step toward financial empowerment.

Core Concepts

What is Financial Literacy?

Financial Instruments

Why is Financial Literacy More Important Than Ever?

Understanding Financial Inequality

“Financial Literacy in a Nutshell”: Exercises

Let’s Test Your Knowledge! 🎯 Ready to see where you stand? Take our quick quiz to check your current awareness of financial literacy—and discover where you can grow next!

Start

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Types of Budgets: Pick What Works for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to budgeting. Here are a few popular methods - each with its own vibe and benefits. Try them out, mix and match, and find what fits your lifestyle best.

Takeaway: Budgeting = Freedom Whichever method you choose, the goal is the same: to feel confident and in control of your money. Budgeting isn’t about restriction, it’s about freedom. Freedom to spend intentionally, save smartly, and build the life you want.

Classic Budget

The 50/30/20 Rule

Defining Your Personal Money Reality One helpful way to manage your finances is by using the 50/30/20 rule, a popular budgeting method that divides your monthly income into three main categories: needs, wants, and savings. Before applying this framework, it’s essential to start by calculating your after-tax income - this is the amount of money you actually take home each month. Once you have that figure, you can break down your expenses according to the following categories:

Zero-Based Budget

Envelope System

This method helps you gain a clearer picture of your financial reality and create a more balanced and sustainable budget.

Types of Budgets: Exercises

Ready to put your knowledge into action? These exercises will help you reflect on your habits, apply practical budgeting strategies, and build a financial plan that works for your life—step by step.

Create Your Own Budget Breakdown

Identify Your Needs & Wants

Pick Your Budgeting Tool

Your Money, Your Momentum Tracking and budgeting are simple skills, but they create a huge ripple effect in your financial life. With consistency and reflection, you'll not only reach your goals, you will own them. Let this be your launchpad toward smarter spending and sustainable saving. You’re already doing amazing just by starting.

Plan Ahead for the Holidays

Saving as a Form of Strength

In a world where women have historically been excluded from financial decisions — or told that money isn’t "their thing" — choosing to save is a radical act of self-care, agency, and freedom. Savings aren’t just about numbers. They are about what those numbers can do for you: peace of mind, security, independence, and the power to say yes to opportunities — or no to situations that no longer serve you. Whether you're saving for a rainy day, a dream home, a career change, or a way out, this habit is your foundation. Take five quiet minutes with a notebook or digital journal and reflect on the following:

• What were you taught (explicitly or subtly) about saving money as a girl or young woman?
• Do you see saving as a priority? Or does it feel out of reach right now?
• Have you ever thought about saving as a way to protect or empower yourself?

What Is Savings? Savings is the amount of money left over after you subtract what you spend from your total income. It’s what remains when your needs and obligations are met, and it's the first step toward financial independence.

Key Concepts

Women challenges

Smart Saving Tips

When More Isn’t More: Outsmarting Lifestyle Inflation

Lifestyle inflation is when your expenses increase as your income grows.

What Is Lifestyle Inflation (and Why Should You Care)?Imagine this: You finally land that promotion. Or a new job pays you more than you’ve ever earned. You feel proud — you should! But then... your lifestyle starts leveling up, too. The takeaway coffee is now daily. The old shared apartment gets traded for a sleek solo one. You shop a little more, upgrade your devices, eat out more often. And somehow… even with more income, you’re still living paycheck to paycheck. The lifestyle inflation is when your spending increases right along with your income, leaving little to no room for saving, investing, or building freedom. It sneaks up on many women, especially when we’ve worked hard and feel we deserve something better. And while celebrating success is important, so is keeping your long-term power intact.

Why does it happen?

Why does it matter?

Reflect

Saving as a Form of Strength: Exercises

Your EmpowerHER Takeaway Saving is not about restriction, it’s about building strength. Every euro you set aside is a step toward your own freedom. It’s your voice in action, your future self whispering “thank you.” Saving doesn’t require perfection or wealth. It starts with intention. And that intention? It’s already inside you. Lifestyle inflation isn’t the enemy — it’s just a pattern. And you can shift it. Every euro you don’t spend just to “keep up” is a step toward your freedom, security, and dreams. It’s not about denying yourself. It’s about choosing yourself first. “ Every time you say ‘no’ to unnecessary spending, you're saying ‘yes’ to your future.”

Share or Reflect

Track Your Own Saving Potential

Financial wellness challenge

Mapping Your Money Journey: How to Set Financial Goals That Stick

Setting financial goals isn’t just about numbers, it’s about freedom, stability, and creating a future on your own terms. Whether you're planning for your child’s education, buying a home, or dreaming of a creative sabbatical, a financial roadmap turns hope into action. Women often face unique challenges: wage gaps, career breaks for caregiving, and social pressure to “have it all” while managing everything. That’s why financial goal-setting isn’t a luxury, it’s a tool of empowerment.

Actual vs. Desired State: The Heart of Goal Setting Before you can set any goal, it’s essential to understand two things:

• Actual State: Where you are right now: financially, emotionally, and practically.
• Desired State: Where you want to be: more secure, debt-free, ready to invest, or financially independent. Your goals are the bridge between the two. A strong, specific goal can turn confusion into clarity, and hope into action.

Tools to Keep You on Track

Common Mistakes in Goal-Setting

The 7 Golden Rules for Setting a Financial Goal

Mapping Your Money Journey: How to Set Financial Goals That Stick

Your financial goals should fit your timeline and your reality. Let’s break them down:

Short-Term Goals (0–1 year)

Mid-Term Goals (2–5 years)

Long-Term Goals (5+ years)

These are your legacy goals: freedom, retirement, and wealth-building. Examples: Retirement savings Paying off your mortgage Setting up a college fund for your kids Building generational wealth or starting a business

Build stability and take care of your financial “base.” Examples: Create and stick to a monthly budget Build an emergency fund (3–6 months of expenses) Pay off high-interest credit card debt Set up automatic savings

Bigger steps that need a bit more planning and patience. Examples: Save for a down payment on a home Pay off student loans Invest in a course or career change Buy a car without needing a loan

Mapping Your Money Journey: How to Set Financial Goals That Stick: Exercises

Where Am I Now vs. Where Do I Want to Be?

Your Financial Goal Map

Build Your Safety Net

Remember: Your goals can evolve — so can you. You are allowed to dream big and start small. Every euro saved, every step planned, is a step toward freedom.

Conclusion and credits:

This Toolkit is possible to be shared thanks to the ‘EmpowerHer: Enhancing financial literacy for women’ educational project supported by The CIVICS Innovation Hub. We are grateful to the friendly, wise, and warm environment we have discovered through this transformative journey. Together with over 30 beautiful, genuine, and smart females, we as trainers and coordinators of this project also discovered big talents in us. We learned a lot about ourselves, we empowered and inspired each other for small yet important changes in our financial habits. Thank you, to every participant of the ‘EmpowerHer’ project — to those who participated online, those who managed to do it during the physical presence study, and to everyone who did their best to contribute to this beautiful community. We aim to have sustainable and financially smart lives and these changes have to start with everyone. We change ourselves and then we change our communities. And the world.

Course completed!

Where Am I Now vs. Where Do I Want to Be?

Split a page in two columns:

• Left Side (Actual State): List your current income, savings, debt, stressors, and feelings.
• Right Side (Desired State): Describe what financial freedom or success looks like for you.

Ask yourself:

• What needs to change?
• What matters most to me right now?

This simple reflection creates the foundation for real, grounded financial planning.

This toolkit doesn’t pretend to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it invites you to reflect, explore, and grow at your own pace. It’s structured around six key areas that combine practical financial knowledge with emotional and cultural awareness:

Psychological Toolstton

Stereotypes & Culturе

Budgeting Skills

Savings & Investments

Smart Consumption & Sustainability

Financial Goal-Setting

This toolkit guides you in re-examining these beliefs, helping you build the mindset necessary to pursue an abundant and financially independent future. So many women grow up in environments where money is either a taboo topic or a source of quiet shame. Where talking about wealth seems greedy, or where dependency is normalized as the “safe” or “proper” path. This toolkit is a response to that. It’s here to say: you are allowed to want more. You are allowed to earn, spend, save, and invest on your own terms. And you are fully capable of doing so.

Financial wellness challenge

Financial wellness isn’t just about having a big income or a perfect budget, it's about feeling in control, informed, and confident in your money decisions. This one month challenge is designed to help you tune into your financial habits, rethink your relationship with money, and build small but powerful steps toward a healthier financial future. Think of it as a month-long self-care routine: for your wallet and your mindset.

Understanding Financial Inequality

It's important to acknowledge that financial inequality remains a significant issue in today’s world. Our ability to manage money is often shaped by more than just personal choices - it’s influenced by our community histories, cultural beliefs, and broader social and historical contexts. While each country faces its own unique challenges, many share similar issues when it comes to financial access and opportunity. These include:

• Limited access to financial education
• Lack of skills in budgeting, planning, and managing money
• Income inequality and persistent pay gaps
• Discrimination based on gender or identity
• Age-based bias, including bullying or exclusion in financial discussions or decisions

Recognizing these systemic barriers is essential for building inclusive financial literacy programs and empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures - no matter their background.

Core Concepts: Skills, Behavior, Habits, Knowledge

Financial literacy isn’t just about knowing the numbers, it’s about developing healthy financial habits, understanding key concepts, building smart skills, and making responsible financial decisions. And let’s be clear: Financial independence doesn’t have to mean becoming a millionaire or owning a massive investment portfolio (though it can, if that’s your goal - and that’s okay!). More broadly, it means being able to live within your means, maintain savings, make informed decisions, and create some form of passive income or financial safety net.

Create Your Own Budget Breakdown

Using the 50/30/20 rule and the table above as a guide, break down your monthly spending into Needs, Wants, and Savings/Debt Repayment. Be honest and realistic about your purchases and expenses - this exercise is all about understanding your current financial habits and identifying areas for improvement. Needs vs. Wants One of the most common challenges in managing money is learning to distinguish between needs and wants. Here’s the thing: to build an effective budget using the 50/30/20 rule, it’s crucial to understand the difference between the two. The line can often get blurry - especially when emotions come into play. Sometimes we convince ourselves that a purchase is absolutely essential, simply because we’re excited, stressed, or convinced it will bring happiness. But recognizing the difference is key to making smarter financial decisions.

The 7 Golden Rules for Setting a Financial Goal

These rules will help you turn vague ideas into powerful, actionable steps:

• Goals Should Be Positive: Focus on what you want, not what you’re afraid of.
• Be Specific: “Save €5,000 in 12 months” is clearer than “Save more money.”
• Track Progress: Use apps, journals, or charts to see how far you've come.
• Divide the Resources Needed: Break goals into time, money, energy, and tools.
• Be Proactive & Dedicated: Make your goals part of your routine.
• Evaluate Your Progress: Set regular check-ins to review and adjust.
• Plan, Plan, Plan: A goal without a plan is just a wish.

Why is Financial Literacy More Important Than Ever?

In today’s world, managing your finances isn’t just about meeting today’s needs - it’s about planning for the future. With rising life expectancy and growing global populations, future generations — including Millennials and Gen Z — will face different financial challenges than those before them. For example, as populations age, there may be fewer active taxpayers supporting pension systems. This makes it even more crucial to plan for retirement early, build savings, and explore investment opportunities. Financial education gives you the tools to prepare for this reality, not with fear, but with confidence.

Each part of this toolkit reflects the real experiences of women who, like you, have had to navigate financial uncertainty, societal expectations, and the pressure to “get it right.” It’s not about perfection — it’s about progress. About learning to make confident choices, whether you’re budgeting for the first time or planning for retirement. You don’t have to do it all at once. You don’t have to have it all figured out. But by picking up this toolkit, you’re taking the first step. And we’re here with you — woman to woman, story to story, step by step. Let’s begin.

Build Your Safety Net – Emergency Fund Basics

What is it? An emergency fund is money set aside for life’s unexpected events, such as job loss, medical bills, or urgent repairs. It gives you peace of mind and financial independence.

Tip:

• Start small — even €5,10,20/week helps. Keep it in a separate account and celebrate each step toward your goal!
• When your goals are clear, realistic, and connected to your values, you stop drifting and you start driving. Even if your journey shifts, you now have a map.

Common Mistakes in Goal-Setting

Many women are ambitious but also overextended. Here are the most common pitfalls when setting goals: ❌ Lack of coordination between goals and your actual daily plans ❌ Constantly shifting priorities without reassessing the big picture ❌ Poor planning or lack of a written strategy ❌ No system for tracking or measuring progress ❌ Not taking personal responsibility for financial choices ❌ Skipping regular check-ins and feedback Tip: Awareness is the first step. If you’ve made these mistakes before — you’re not alone. The good news is, they’re all fixable.

Identify Your Needs & Wants

• Write down your biggest expenses from the past 6 months.
• Circle the items that were true needs - essential things you genuinely required.
• Review the list and reflect on the reasons behind your purchases.

Using the canvas, sort your main purchases into the two columns: Needs: Must-haves for daily living (e.g. rent, groceries, medicine) Wants: Nice-to-haves that improve your lifestyle but aren’t essential (e.g. new gadgets, eating out, clothes shopping)

Why Tracking Your Money Matters? One of the most valuable tips for achieving financial independence is “practice what you preach”. Therefore, keeping an eye on where your money goes is one of the most powerful things you can do to stay in control. When you actively track your spending, you begin to notice patterns, maybe you’re spending more on takeout than you thought, or those little shopping splurges are adding up. By reflecting on your habits, you can make smarter, more sustainable decisions next time around. Tracking your money isn’t about judgment, it’s about learning, adjusting, and growing.

Transform Your Mindset

Now that you’ve explored your money beliefs and recognized your remarkable qualities, it's time to shift your mindset.

1. Define your goal: Write down a goal or something you truly desire but haven’t achieved yet. For example, “I want to have my own car.”
2. Identify obstacles: List the reasons you believe you haven’t achieved this goal. For example, “I dont have my own car, because I don't save money wisely.”
3. Reframe in the present tense: Write the same goal as if you already have it, along with reasons why you have it. This step is key to transforming your mindset. For example, “I have my own car, because I know how to save money wisely.”
4. Record your affirmations: Find a quiet place and record yourself reading your positive statements in the present tense. Imagine that you already possess what you desire.

Now you have a personalized set of affirmations tailored to your thought process and your specific goal. We recommend listening to this recording daily, reflecting on your feelings, and re-recording it if necessary until it exudes confidence and aligns with your upgraded mindset.

Pick Your Budgeting Tool

Choose one of the budgeting methods that feels right for you (50/30/20, zero-based, envelope system, or a custom tracker). Then:

1. Start with a 1-week challenge. Track every single cent you spend for seven days. Yes, every coffee, every taxi ride, every snack.
2. Level up to 2 weeks, then aim for a full month. Keep writing it all down - expenses, savings, even what you almost spent money on but didn’t.
3. Go for 3 months. That’s when the magic happens! You’ll start seeing patterns and can make more informed choices. You'll also get a clearer view of your taxes, regular expenses, and potential savings.

Tip: Use apps, spreadsheets, or a simple notebook - whatever feels easiest for you to stick with.

What is Financial Literacy?

Here is a general sneak peek on the financial system and the main definitions we need to operate throughout our transformative journey. Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use financial skills such as budgeting, saving, investing, and personal money management. Being financially literate gives you a solid foundation for building a smart and sustainable relationship with money. It’s not about becoming a financial expert overnight - it’s about starting a journey of lifelong learning that can lead to greater independence, stability, and peace of mind. The earlier you begin, the better your financial future can look, because education is one of the most powerful tools for long-term success.

I Am Remarkable

Recognize that change isn’t always comfortable, and sometimes unexpected feelings emerge. This exercise is designed to solidify your self-confidence and support you as you learn and grow on your financial journey. In simple terms, it’s a celebration of your unique value in the world. How to do It: Create a calming environment with gentle music and a relaxed atmosphere. Choose your preferred medium—a piece of paper and pen or a digital notebook—and make a list of your gifts and talents. Examples to Get You Started:

• “I am remarkable because I earned my degree.”
• “I am remarkable because I learned a foreign language.”
• “I am remarkable because I make my partner happy.”
• “I am remarkable because I never stop learning about myself.”

Remember, there is no limit to your remarkableness. Every achievement, no matter how small, contributes to your growth and financial empowerment.

Scaling Money Up

If you’re ready to dive deeper and challenge your mindset, try the following exercise:

1. Document your income: Write down your current monthly income. Be completely honest at this point, the exact amount isn’t important.
2. Plan every cent: Imagine you must spend every cent of your income with no savings allowed. Allocate your entire amount across all your expenses.
3. Scale your spending: Multiply your monthly income by two, and continue this process for each month until you cover the whole year. By the end, you'll arrive at a striking annual total that reflects your spending potential.
4. Analyse your spending priorities: Review your allocations and analyze your spending. Determine which expenses take priority and consider if you’ve overlooked something essential.

This exercise, rooted in imagination, serves as a psychological tool designed to help your brain overcome the fear of handling larger sums of money. It’s normal to have financial fears and urges, but using strategies like this can support you along the path to financial independence — helping you create a balanced and harmonious mindset as you work on changing patterns and behaviors.

Share or Reflect

• What motivates you to save right now?
• What’s the biggest mindset block that holds you back?
• Who are your money role models and could you be someone else's?

Your Financial Goal Map

Step 1: Assess Your Starting Point

• In your notebook, answer:
• What is my current monthly income?
• What are my fixed and flexible expenses?
• What debt do I carry (if any)?
• Do I have any savings or investments already?

Step 2: Dream Freely Without judgment, list 5–10 things you would love to achieve with your money. Think short-term (3 months) to long-term (10+ years).

Step 3: Sort and Prioritize Label each goal as: Short-Term Mid-Term Long-Term Then, rank them by importance: 🟣 Essential 🔵 Important 🟢 Would be nice Ask yourself:

• Which of these would bring me the most relief right now?
• Which would bring the most long-term peace or joy?

Track Your Own Saving Potential

Goal: Figure out your current ability to save and how you might increase it.Calculate Your Monthly Income:

• Total all your regular income sources (job, freelance, family support, etc.).

List All Monthly Expenses:

• Be honest and include everything: rent, groceries, subscriptions, coffee, childcare, etc.

Subtract Expenses from Income:

• What’s left? That’s your potential savings.

Challenge Yourself:

• Can you set aside 10% of your income this month?
• If not, can you reduce one small expense to save any amount?
• Set a goal (e.g., save €20-50 this month) and track it.

Journaling for Financial Self-Awareness

Journaling is a powerful tool for personal growth and financial literacy. By putting your thoughts, feelings, and experiences into words, you create a record that can help you recognize recurring patterns, triggers, and insights about your financial behavior. This increased self-awareness is key to identifying your strengths and uncovering opportunities for improvement. When you journal about challenges or decisions, you break complex issues into manageable parts. This reflective process often leads to creative solutions and new perspectives, empowering you to handle future obstacles with greater confidence. Since your financial habits and attitudes are integral to your overall financial literacy, we offer a journaling template in the annexes. Feel free to use this template or create your own method that suits you. If you find it difficult to organize your thoughts, you might begin with keywords or a thought cloud to kickstart the process. Regular journaling can help you build a clearer understanding of your financial journey and support your efforts toward long-term financial success.

Reflect: What Does “Enough” Look Like for You?

Take a quiet moment with these journal prompts:

• When my income increases (or when I expect it to), how do I imagine my lifestyle changing?
• What purchases have I made recently that were about comfort, status, or reward?
• Have I ever thought, “I can afford this now,” even if it didn’t align with my goals?

Plan Ahead for the Holidays

Let’s face it: Christmas can be a financial rollercoaster if we don’t plan ahead. But you’ve got plenty of time, and with a smart budget, you’ll be ready without the stress.

1. Make a holiday budget plan for the upcoming Christmas season. List out your expected expenses, such as: gifts, food & drinks, travel or transport , clothes or holiday outfits, decorations & extras, anything else you typically spend on.
2. Organize your list into columns or categories. Decide:

• What’s essential and what’s optional
• Where you could save money (DIY gifts? Secret Santa instead of individual gifts?)
• What you already have vs. what you actually need to buy?

3. Estimate the total cost, then split the savings monthly. That way, when December rolls around, you’re ready and it won’t feel like a financial shock.

4. Reflect:

• Was this exercise new for you?
• What surprised you?
• What spending habits or savings ideas stood out?

Because peace of mind is the best gift you can give yourself 💜

Tools to Keep You on Track

Here are a few strategies to help you turn your goals into habits:

• Automatic Transfers: Set up automatic deposits to a savings or investment account right after payday. Even €5,10,20/week adds up!
• Goal-Tracking Apps: Try YNAB, GoodBudget, or your bank’s budgeting featurе.
• Vision Boards or Goal Charts: Keep your goals visible to stay motivated.
• Monthly Money Check-In: Block 30 minutes every month to review progress and adjust as needed.

Financial Instruments

The world of finance includes a wide range of tools and instruments, both digital and physical, that represent value or financial agreements. These can include:

• Equity-based instruments: Represent ownership in an asset (e.g., stocks).
• Debt-based instruments: Represent a loan made by an investor to an entity (e.g., bonds).

Understanding these concepts can help you navigate your financial options and make informed choices.

3. Write down your beliefs about money. Don’t worry if many statements are negative; this is a great opportunity to identify areas for growth and change. If you find positive beliefs, include those as well. Your list might include statements like:

• “I believe having a lot of money is risky.”
• “I believe being rich is not for me.”
• “I believe money is a tool for a good life.”

Review the statements carefully and consider your feelings about each one. Reflect on what you might want to improve or change. Ask yourself if these beliefs stem from your family history or past experiences. This list represents a crucial opportunity for personal growth. 4. It's time to embrace your progress. Recognise that creating this list is a significant step forward. Knowledge is power — by understanding your own beliefs, you gain insight into the direction you need to take on your journey of self-improvement. Take your time with this exercise. Every insight brings you closer to mastering your financial mindset.

Your Money, Your Mindset

1. Grab a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Using manual instruments enhances your brain’s connection to the task through physical gestures, allowing you to process your thoughts more efficiently. 2.Think about money and its role in your life. Reflect on your financial past, acknowledge your money habits, and recognize mistakes if they occurred. Remember to thank yourself for the lessons learned—these experiences have made you wiser, stronger, and more goal-oriented.

Through her impactful work with the Znanie Association, she has empowered countless young people—especially girls—to navigate complex social realities with knowledge and confidence. Whether she’s leading trainings, managing international projects, or simply being a devoted mother to her daughter, Vassilena embodies the balance she inspires in others: strength and care, ambition and rest, work and love.

With over seven years in non-formal education, she has led projects across Europe, empowering people to unlock their potential. Now, as the head of ETC: Education – Truth – Culture, she connects communities through learning, cultural exchange, and meaningful dialogue.

Vassilena Varbanova is a vibrant force in youth work and advocacy, with over thirteen years of experience in promoting inclusion, gender equality, human rights, and sexual education.

Oksana Shamonova began her journey as a journalist, but soon found her calling in education and international cooperation.

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