What are your personal core values?
Chances are, if you’re looking for inspiration, then you are already one step closer to creating your own list of personal values.
Once you figure out why you’re setting financial goals and what will continue to push you as you work toward financial freedom, half of the work is already done for you.
Realizing what makes you tick, what makes you want to pick up an investing book for beginners, or open several accounts in the name of financial freedom will jumpstart your journey.
Keep reading to find out 9 personal values that will motivate and inspire you to keep moving forward.
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What are good money core values?
A good money core value is one that connects you to your why in life.
Why you get up and go to work.
Why you keep saving even when you don’t want to
Why you went back to school to further your education.
When you narrow down a few different things you value, it can give you clarity.
It also becomes easier to keep working toward the different financial goals that you’re setting for both yourself and your family.
Examples of core values
Security
Security is on our list of personal values because it is the core of all financial goals.
Your definition of security might look different than mine but that is why we call them personal core values
When I think of security, I think of having a fully equipped emergency fund that covers 3-6 months of my expenses.
Or having enough money stored away to freely celebrate holidays without putting myself into debt or creating more financial stress and anxiety.
Security for you might look like having steady income so you can invest in more high risk areas of personal finance (cryptocurrency, individual stocks, etc.)
Stability
Stability, as a core value, is crucial for those of us who grew up seeing poverty, debt, and poor health.
Stability looks like having a reliable 9am-5pm job with a 401k match, sick days, vacation days, and money left over to save and invest.
Stability also looks like starting your own business and working hard to be your own boss, making your own hours, and never having to worry about budget cuts.
Remember to tweak this list of personal values to fit your lifestyle.
Freedom
Freedom is an umbrella term that anyone with a core values list can define and change as they learn more about themselves.
Those who place freedom as one of their personal core values may want to…
- Choose what time they wake up
- Choose what days they work
- Miss a day of work and still be able to pay their bills
- Automate their savings, invest, and pay their bills with ease
- Set boundaries in the workplace
Freedom is the ability to have options in life.
It’s having a job and not allowing it to run your life and deprive you of happiness and freedom.
It’s easy to get stuck in an environment you do not enjoy but when you have freedom as a core value, you work hard to reclaim your life.
Family
Family is a personal core value that takes on different forms depending on your lifestyle.
Maybe it looks like spending the weekends together, or being there to celebrate special occasions.
Or giving your children the life you never had and helping your parents to take the vacations they gave up to raise you.
Spreading your love of others through your list of personal values helps you to keep going when striving for financial independence starts to feel challenging.
Creativity
Expressing yourself is important when it comes to setting boundaries and making time for self care.
Some people add creativity to their list of personal values because it helps to keep their minds rejuvenated and allows them to make their own rules of living.
Usually those who value having creative outlets will also value time.
Being debt free
Eliminating debt or continuing to choose to be debt free are core values that can lead to financial independence.
Being debt free is a choice when you have access to credit cards, loans, and financing.
Building wealth
Building wealth is a series of steps that include increasing assets and limiting liabilities.
Robert Kiyosaki in his book Rich Dad Poor Dad described an asset as something that puts money in your pocket (dividend stocks, side hustle, real estate etc.) and a liability as something that takes money out (mortgage, debt, repairs etc.)
If you prioritize building wealth on your core values list, then you will become creative and find new ways to make your money work for you.
The better at making financial decisions you are the wealthier you and your family will be.
Building wealth as a core value can be linked to stability and security as well.
Flexibility
Flexibility looks like waking up on your own schedule.
Flexibility also looks like being able to rearrange certain activities or tasks without their being major consequences.
There are a lot of people that place health last on their list because they don’t have time to spend in a doctor’s office or their jobs won’t allow them to leave work a few minutes early.
When flexibility is added to your list of personal values you begin to see the world as an endless pool of opportunity. Instead of denying yourself things you want to do, you’ll allow yourself room to fit it in.
Health
Health is an essential core value needed to live a long life. When you add health to your list of values you’re able to pay for your co-pays or medical visits because you placed money aside.
The jobs you choose going forward have a medical plan that has benefits for not only yourself but your spouse as well.
And with making health a priority you find new markets, vegetable stands, and bargains when it comes to healthy eating.
With the price of food rising you will need to be creative and have patience when it comes to shopping (especially on a budget) but it is possible.
Why do you need core values?
Core values keep you grounded when you want to spend your paycheck in a store that has sales on every rack.
When you refer back to your list of personal values during moments of doubt and when your goal of reaching $5000 saved seems to be far away… you’ll remember why everything you’re going through right now is worth it.
In conclusion
Financial goals without financial core values is like making a sandwich and not having bread.
You can achieve anything you want to in life but you have to know why you’re doing it.
I am saving money because I value stability. I value being much more than an employee and I will take control of my financial life.
Let us know in the comments what’s one new core value you’ll be adding to your list!
About the author
Rebekah is the creator of www.blissfulwallet.com a blog centered on promoting financial awareness through budgeting while spreading self care. When she isn’t blogging, you can catch her reading a book or finding new ways to become more zen.
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Awesome. Thanks for your article
Thank you for reading my post! I hope you find other useful content on Erin’s website as well.
I’ve been trying to work on my finances and this article have been a great help. Thank you ??
I am all about Security and Freedom! Those core values are tops on my list, and they keep me connected to my why of saving, and financial planning! Everyone should delve into what truly drives them on a deeper level.
I’ve considered my values and my “why” in other areas of my life, but not financially. This article has given me a lot to think about. Thanks!
I’m glad that Rebekah’s great post has given you a lot to think about!
My why at the moment are family and freedom. Family always comes first for me but achieving financial independence runs a very close second.
Thank you so much for the feedback! Once you have a why financially it can help you to get up on those days you don’t want to go to work. It can even help you to decide that working a traditional 9am-5pm job is not for you.