When finances feel overwhelming, the natural reaction is to think that a big change is needed.
A higher income.
A complete reset.
A major decision.
But in reality, financial control is rarely built through big, once-off actions.
It is built through small, consistent steps that create stability over time.
If your money feels stretched right now, the goal is not to fix everything at once.
The goal is to regain control – one decision at a time.
This is what your 2020FIX year is about: not pressure, not perfection – just practical progress.
Start Small. Start Now.
When money feels tight, even simple actions can create real relief.
Here are five practical changes you can make this month:
1. Cancel What You Are Not Using
Many people have active subscriptions or services they no longer use.
These can include:
- Streaming platforms
- App subscriptions
- Gym memberships
- Old policies or accounts
Individually, they may seem small.
But together, they reduce your available money every month.
Even cancelling one or two can create immediate breathing room.
This is a simple shift from #NoMore unnoticed spending to #KnowMore intentional choices.
2. Check Your Statements Properly
It is common to look at your bank balance without reviewing your actual spending.
But your statement tells a story.
It shows:
- Your habits
- Your priorities
- Where money may not be working for you
Taking time to go through your statement – line by line – helps you:
- Spot unnecessary charges
- Identify patterns
- Make better decisions going forward
Tip: Do this weekly, not just at month-end.
3. Prioritise Essential Expenses First
Not all expenses carry the same weight.
Your essentials come first:
- Housing or rent
- Food
- Transport
- Basic household needs
When these are covered, your daily life remains stable.
Everything else should fit around these – not compete with them.
This reduces stress and prevents important payments from being missed.
4. Simplify – Don’t Try to Fix Everything at Once
When money is stretched, it’s tempting to try and fix everything immediately.
But this often leads to overwhelm – and no action.
Instead of trying to do everything:
- Focus on simplifying
- Reduce the number of active commitments
- Make your finances easier to manage
Fewer, more manageable obligations create more control.
Control doesn’t come from doing more – it comes from doing less, better.
5. Ask for Help Early
Many people wait until financial pressure becomes overwhelming before reaching out.
By then:
- Stress is higher
- Options are fewer
- Solutions are more difficult
Taking action early creates more flexibility.
It allows you to:
- Adjust before things escalate
- Explore better solutions
- Protect your income and stability
Asking for help is not a sign of failure.
It is a step towards control.
What to Avoid When Trying to Regain Control
Just as important as what you do – is what you don’t do.
Avoid these common traps:
- Ignoring accounts – this increases pressure over time
- Relying on quick fixes – these often create longer-term problems
- Delaying decisions – this reduces your options
These behaviours keep you stuck in the cycle of:
#NoMore avoidance.
#KnowMore action.
Progress, Not Perfection
Control is not about getting everything right.
It is about moving forward – even in small ways.
Workers Month is a reminder that your income is the result of your effort.
Protecting that income doesn’t require big changes.
It requires consistent, practical decisions.
Start With One Step
You do not need to do everything on this list.
Choose one action.
Do it today.
- Cancel one subscription
- Review one statement
- Adjust one expense
That one step is enough to begin.
Because control doesn’t come from one big decision.
It comes from small decisions, repeated over time.
Final Thought
If your finances feel overwhelming right now, you are not alone.
But you are not without options either.
Small changes can create real relief.
And real relief creates momentum.
#NoMore waiting for the “right time”.
#KnowMore action – starting now.
