Mastering the boring art of the routine

Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash

The movie montage begins with an alarm clock, then a shower head, a cup of coffee, a closet full of identical shirts. The main character is feeling really low right about now. Or at least that’s what we’re supposed to think. 

The truth is that while routines may seem really boring, they’re actually pretty good for you, mentally, physically, and yes, financially. Most people who do a good job managing their money pay attention to what they’re making, spending, and saving on a monthly basis. 

Start by making a simple monthly checklist. It might look something like:

• Read bank statements

• Pay rent

• Pay credit cards (in full)

• Make student loan payment

Getting into this routine will help you get to know your monthly numbers, and understanding those makes both predictable and unplanned events easier to manage. 

Make your list and then sit down, every month, in the same chair, and check off each item one by one. Get yourself a snack. It doesn’t have to be terrible, but it should be very, very boring. That’s how you know you’re doing it right.

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I’ve had trouble getting out of bed in the morning for literally my entire life. I was over 35 years old when my ten-years-younger sister said, “You need to get a coffee maker.” She was right. It didn’t change my life, but having my coffee is now a routine I look forward to every day. It makes it a little bit easier to get out of bed in the morning, and that little bit actually counts for quite a lot. LILAS, girl.