5 Areas to Not Neglect While On Your Debt Free Journey

I’m not sure where we got this idea that when we have financial goals we ONLY focus on our financial goals, but girl that does NOT need to be the way it is! The financial area of your life is just that. One. Area. Hear me out because I’m not saying that improving this area won’t likely improve allllll other areas of your life. Because it will. But you are a whole being and we gotta focus on allllll the other things somehow. While it sounds difficult, it’s pretty easy once ya get the hang of it!

1.    Relationships

What are any of us without our people?! Answer: Screwed. For real. As twenty and thirty somethings, those that have stuck along with us this far are the real ones.  As busy as tackling financial goals can make you, when you get to the end and accomplish your goal, you’re going to want your family and friends by your side.

Find time to be intentional with those you are close to. Connecting with others that make us feel supported and connected can be a great way to relieve stress.

“But I’m SO busy! There’s no time in my week to just hang out with people!”

Ah, but there is! You don’t have to be wild with it. Maybe every Sunday evening you have dinner with your family (my fiancés family does this and it’s wonderful and intentional AF). Or every first Thursday of the month you schedule a regular phone call with your best friend from college.

Action Step: Call a friend or family member TODAY and schedule a time to meet for coffee, tea, or a meal!

2.    Getting Outside

Perhaps this is one you didn’t think would be on the list, but surprise! Depending on where you spend the majority of your day (or week!) getting outside can provide a variety of benefits! While it can be so beneficial, it’s easy to want to stay inside all the time

Getting outside can provide inspiration, fresh air, a new view, vitamin D (lookin’ at you, Midwesterners), amongst other things. You might be all grind, grind, grind on your financial journey, but consider taking your “grind” outside! Work from a park, patio of a coffee shop, or outside on a blanket basically anywhere!

Action Step: Block off an hour of time this week where you can read, write, listen to music, meet with a friend, etc… outside!

3.    Medical & Dental Needs

This is a big one! I truly believe that you should take a pause at paying off your debt if you have medical or dental needs that require tending to. Your financial goals are going to take time… and you only have ONE body (and mouth!).

If you don’t want to spend large amounts of money on procedures that you (and your doctors!) don’t deem absolutely medically necessary, then at least get done the basics that are recommended. Get your teeth cleaned every six months. Do whatever it is that your doctor or dentist recommends for preventative care.

Another good way to think about this one, is if you have health or dental insurance, you’re paying in to these services already. There are usually a good number of things that are covered on a semi-annual or annual basis. Think you don’t have time to take care of yourself, check and see if your insurance covered e-vists! You can “visit” the doctor from your home (bed or couch, what’s up!) and our insurance only charges $10.00.  You can’t pass up your health for $10!

In a similar line of thought, if you don’t take care of medical and dental needs while they are still “small” concerns, there’s the chance that they will grow into issues that are bigger (and much more expensive!).

Action Step: Reflect as to what you may have been neglecting when it comes to your medical or dental care. Dental appointment? Need a vision appointment for some new glasses? Schedule it TODAY.

4.   Mental Health

This is one that I have been guilty of time and time again, neglecting my mental health on behalf of my “gazelle-intense” debt free journey. Pleeeeease listen to me when I say that this is not one you want to crash and burn on!

Take care of yourself. See the therapist. Pay for your medications. Put the things that you need in your budget! Schedule a night off once a week (or however often you want) and take a bath, read a book, or get dinner with your parents. Make sure that some exercise and movement is in your daily schedule. Drink water. Breathe. Find some free guided meditations on YouTube.

So many people have been through so much and tackling your financial issues is NOT an easy task for a lot of us. Find someone to talk to about your finances, your mindset, and those things that are coming up from your past. Life is hard but you really, truly do not have to go through this alone.

Action Step: Choose one thing that you can do this week that benefits your mental health. Be specific on the date, time, and what you’re planning to do. Put it on your calendar!

5.    Body/Physical Health

Exercise is something that can be so beneficial for us in so many ways! Yet somehow it’s really, really easy to convince ourselves that we don’t have the time to exercise. Obviously I don’t know your life, but I can bet there’s time somewhere during your day.

Could you wake up half an hour earlier? Could you go on a walk during your lunch break? Can you walk around the office while on the phone or during your breaks?

Moving your body doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to spend money. Walking is free! YouTube also has a ton of free workout videos that are fantastic and you can do at home. If exercising in a gym is more your style, then get that into your budget! Many health insurance programs will give you an amount back when you attend your gym a certain number of times during the month!

If you’re looking for a side-hustle, you could become a dog-walker and get your exercise in while also getting some exercise in! Getting a part-time job at a gym may also yield a free membership, saving you some money.

Action Step: Look at your daily schedule and figure out when you can fit in 15-30 minutes of movement. Schedule this into your day (aka put it in your calendar!) so you take it as seriously as other appointments during your day.

In Summary

            Focusing on other areas of our life while on our debt-free journey is important, as we are WHOLE people! Five areas that we should focus on besides our finances include our relationships, getting outside, medical & dental needs, mental health, and body/physical health. By focusing on these other areas, we will keep ourselves healthy and able to continue with our financial journeys over the long term!

Check out the action steps at the end of each section and let me know how they went for you!