Do you currently feel like you are stuck in a financial rut?
Maybe you are trying to reach certain financial goals but you feel like you aren't getting any closer. Or perhaps nothing is going the way that you thought it would and you don't know what to do next.
At one moment you may feel completely amped and positive about your financial situation and your goals, and the very next you may feel completely unsure about your whole plan.
Finances take up a huge part of a person's life and it can sometimes feel like it's impossible to change your situation.
Whatever you are currently experiencing, I want you to realize that this can happen to the best of us. Even though you currently feel stuck, you can still regain the motivation you once had and finally move on.
Below are the different actions you might want to take so that you can get out of a financial rut and improve your situation. It is very possible to get out of your rut and become successful with your financial goals.
Realize you are stuck in a financial rut.
The first step to getting out of your financial rut is being honest with yourself and realizing you are stuck.
You should admit that you are stuck and that changes need to be made. Think about the mistakes you have made and try to truly understand what led to the situation you are currently in.
Completing this step can help prevent you from making the same mistakes over and over again. Reflecting on your situation is very important.
Stop being negative about being stuck in a financial rut.
When in a financial rut, you might start feeling negative about your situation. This is only normal, but you should stop. I am a firm believer that thinking positively (even when pretending) can change your mindset for the better.
Thinking negatively doesn't help anything or anyone if you are trying to learn how to get out of a financial rut.
Whenever I am feeling negative, I think about how much time I am wasting by being negative. That usually snaps me right out of my funk because I know I probably could have done something more productive with my time.
Related article: Why I Believe Being Positive Can Change Your Financial Situation And Your Life.
Give yourself a break when getting out of a rut.
Sometimes when I am feeling completely unmotivated, I just want to keep forcing myself to make something happen and to make it work. However, many times that just doesn't work. Forcing something to go my way when I know my head isn't in it usually means that I am wasting time by being unproductive.
Sometimes you just need to give yourself a break, take a breather, and reevaluate.
While you shouldn't give up all of the progress you've already made, a small break can help you feel refreshed for when you get back to your financial plan.
A break can mean something different to everyone, but the key is to not completely derail from your plan to where you fall into the same problem that got you into whatever situation you may be in. A break may mean taking a break from looking at your budget every single day, having a relaxing day off, treating yourself, and more.
Make a plan to get back on track.
It is possible that you are stuck in a financial rut because your current action plan is not working. If this is the case for you, then you might want to look into other ways for you to change your financial situation.
You may need to change your whole entire outlook on money, you may have to change how you treat money, you may need to create new money habits, and more.
After you think about the different changes you need to make, you will need to create an action plan to meet your financial goals. This might include setting small baby steps in order to reach your main goal, detailing what you will do to reach your goals, determining how you will track your progress, and more.
Related article: Reasons You’re Still In Debt.
Look for inspiration when getting out of a rut.
If you are ever feeling unmotivated with your finances, I highly recommend you look for inspiration as you can probably find great motivational sources all around you.
You can start by reading personal finance blogs, finding a good personal finance book, thinking about your financial role models, creating a vision board, and more. What I love about being a part of the personal finance blogging community is that there is inspiration everywhere.
Looking for inspiration can help you get motivated all over again so that you can stop feeling stuck in your financial rut. It can give you the energy you need to start back up again.
Join a support team or look for an accountability partner.
Many people work better when they have someone else there to cheer them on. Having support from others can go a long way when getting out of a rut and that support can help keep you on track as well.
You can find support in your significant other, a family member, a friend, a stranger you met who has the same goals, a money coach, and so on. If you look, I am sure you will find someone who needs an accountability partner as well.
Another positive of having someone else work with you is that you can hear someone else's opinion. They can tell you what might need to be changed, what is working, and what seems to not be working. An outside perspective can go a long way.
Have you ever felt stuck in a financial rut? What did you do? What financial goals are you trying to reach?
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For a long time we we’re in a financial rut and really felt that there was no way out. It was only when things became so bad that we had to face up to the fact we were in a mess. We were in debt up to our eyeballs and perhaps one payday away from losing everything.
In the end we had two choices. Survive or don’t survive. We chose the first.
We made the decision that debt would no longer define us and control us. Instead we slowly started to take back control and within 6 months we were back in control.
Being in a financial rut is just a state of mind. If you let it overrun you it will but if you decided enough is enough, you will soon muster the strength and confidence to get on top of things again.
Good job Ricky with getting back in control!
Just like with any struggle in our lives, it’s important to acknowledge the problem. Creating false excuses never helps. The moment we understand we have an issue, it’s easier to come up with a plan and find the solution. It’s clearly not easy to do such an introspection, but it can really help a lot.
Yes, acknowledging the problem is very important.
I think the hardest part of breaking out of a rut is acknowledging you’re in one. Like the adage says, if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. Sometimes we get so caught up we don’t stop, look around and take the time to see if there’s a better way of getting to our goal – whatever it might be. Sometimes, it takes more courage to stop than to continue the course.
Yes, I agree Diane!
For me it really helps to clearly define your goals ahead of time and then monitor your progress as you move along. That way little by little you can feel like something is being accomplished; even if you are only moving a mountain one stone at a time.
Yes, these steps are important as well.
I am definitely in a financial rut at the moment. Because of your blog, I have paid off quite a bit of debt. While doing so, my score has plummeted. I am now in the low 400s. I think it is because I have no revolving debt. At least that’s what I’m hoping. That should be an easy fix.
Hmmm that is odd that your credit score went down after you paid off debt. It sounds like it should be an easy fix though, like you said.
I have experienced it for many times especially when there are occasions in the corner like the Christmas season. Oh my! I can’t do anything to keep up with my savings and feel not only discouraged but also tired. What I did was to make a list so that I at least can track all of my expenses.
Good idea!
I’m in a bit of a rut in growing my income. I was on fire in January and February and it seems to be pulling back a bit. I guess minor ebbs and flows are inevitable, I just need to stay motivated throughout.
Yes, stay motivated!
This post is spot-on. I especially like the tough-love you dish out about thinking negatively: “This is only normal, but you should stop.” 🙂
I was in a huge financial rut last spring. Our credit card debt was growing, I didn’t really discuss it with my husband except in the most general terms, and I didn’t see a way out of the hole. I started reading PF blogs, then books, and quickly started my own blog, which I view as a kind of accountability partner. I learned a lot and started to feel better, but it wasn’t until I had a very open discussion with my husband, that I started to feel more in control and our momentum started to change. We still have a long way to go, but I feel much more energized and upbeat about it, now.
Thanks Amy! I was afraid that some would be mad about my tough love, but it is true!
When I’m in a financial rut it’s usually not because my finances are in order, but that they aren’t ready-for-retirement in order. More of a career rut than a financial one I guess. The best thing I’ve found to do is just stay positive and find things to distract myself.
Yes, staying positive is very important.
I haven’t really felt in a rut, but being in savings mode can be boring at times. I just try to remember our short-term and long-term goals.
Yes, I know exactly how you feel. Remembering goals is important.
I think the biggest thing is to give yourself a break. If you get off track, you may just need a breather from it. It doesnt mean you have to give up forever.
Yes, exactly!
Doing the same thing over and over again is the easiest way for me to get into a rut. Whenever I get in a rut I look for new inspiration or opportunities to spark my imagination. Seeing things from a different angle usually helps me break out of it.
Yes, that is important as well. Thanks Brian!
Thanks for another thoughtful and thought-inspiring post. Good advice.
Thanks Rust!
Hubs and I do the big planning together but I do all of the day to day financial grunt work. When I get in a rut I give him an overview of how we are doing and that usually leads to a discussion of where we are going which usually re-motivates me.
This is how our situation is as well. Works well.
We are not currently in a rut (thank goodness), but when I first left my job we were in financial denial. Over the past year or so we’ve finally been able to turn ourselves around and we now have more money (living on one income and few side hustles) than we did when we had two full time incomes. I’m not a personal finance blogger, but I follow personal finance blogs because (as you said) they provide so much inspiration (and information). It helps to see that anything is possible and the financial freedom that I so desperately crave is attainable. I just have to want it bad enough.
Yes, they provide so much motivation!
Give yourself a break but don’t take too long because you just might be stuck in there too 🙂
Yes, exactly!
I am absolutely in a financial (and career) rut!
But it’s kinda funny because I am a lot worse off at the moment than I was a few years ago when I first got into PF/PF blogging, but I’m also a lot less worried about it. A huge part of that is that I do have a fiance, meaning that I’m not in this alone. I can rely on him for support in whatever way I need it. But I also realize that this is a temporary set-back. Yes, “temporary” has already been 4-months and counting, but I have the skills and abilities to make my situation better. All it takes is some patients until I find that new job, and/or some extra work on my part to make opportunities (aka side hustles) for myself.
I’m sorry Amanda. I hope you get out of your rut soon!
Seriously, having an accountability partner is one of the best things you can do for any goal. Provided, of course, that the accountability partner is a GOOD one.
Yes, very true.
The only time I feel in a rut is when I wish my paychecks were bigger to speed up the FI process 🙂 But overall I just picture my end goals, and that usually does the trick.
Good job! 🙂
I’m not really in a financial rut right now, but I’m definitely in a health rut. I need to get back on track with working out and eating healthier (and cooking!).
This is something I struggle with all the time. It is so hard to stay on track!
I think acknowledging that you’re in a rut is such a crucial first step. When you recognize that you’re not making progress, it’s so important to pause and re-evaluate. I haven’t been in a financial rut lately, but I’ve certainly felt that way about other aspects of my life. And, being honest with myself about how I’m feeling always helps!
Yes, pausing and re-evaluating is very important!
Great tips as usual Michelle! Finding support and developing a plan of action work best to turn things around for me. I also love how you mentioned how important turning around negativity can be. Getting stuck in a financial rut is normal, temporary and all apart of the process.
Thanks!
My problem when I get in a rut is that I beat myself up about it. That takes away useful mental energy that could otherwise be put toward getting out of said rut.
Over the years, I’ve gotten better about just stopping and saying, “Yep, we lost a bunch of time because of this. Can’t do anything about the past. Let’s just move forward.”
It even works once in awhile.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean. It can be hard, but it’s usually better to push forward and be positive.
we were in a rut at the end of the year but have thankfully been doing better so far this year. i was on a spending spree so keeping that in check is helping with our saving and paying off debt!
Good job on doing better!
I need to get better at cutting myself slack. These last two weeks have been tough on our budget- mike has been travelling a lot for work, major winter storms…it’s just been a stressful few weeks and as such weve eaten out quite a bit– way more than normal but honestly when you’re unable to get groceries because the stores are closed but you can get to a subway down the street…its an easy decision. At the end of the day $100-$200 in overspending (WHEN RECOGNIZED) won’t kill our goals.
Yes, I need to get better at that as well. It’s hard!
These are excellent tips Michelle!
We all get into a financial rut from time to time and whenever that happens, the best thing to do is to not hide our head in the sand but take a step backwards and look inside in. I then make a realistic plan and a goal and most importantly, stop spending willy-nilly!
My goal at the moment? Not to use my credit card as it’s too easy to buy stuff that I don’t really need LOL!
Thanks Victoria!
Way too many people I come across have a negative view of their finances and just get stuck in their situation. You’re right, being negative is a waste of time, better to do something about it.
Yes, exactly!
This is great advice — it stinks feeling stuck in any rut, especially financial. At Cinch, we try and get you out of those ruts by saving you money on your biggest bills – quickly and easily!
Kerri
Thanks Kerri!
Great advice. It’s alway good to lean towards the positive, even when it seems far away. Thinking good thoughts can make good things happen
Yes, I agree!