Financial Reality Check

Time to apply honest looking to finances. For many people, this is the most avoided area.

Why Finances

Money is one of the most common avoidance zones. It’s also concrete - there are actual numbers. This makes it a good practice ground for honest looking.

If you can look at your finances clearly, you can look at anything clearly.

The Process

Gather your account information:

• Bank accounts (checking, savings)
• Credit cards (current balances)
• Loans and debts (totals owed)
• Retirement accounts (if any)
• Any other money you have or owe

List each with its current balance.

Then calculate:

• Total cash available (checking + savings + accessible money)
• Total debt (all credit cards, loans, money owed)
• Net position (total cash minus total debt)

Write these numbers down.

Important

No judgment. No spiral. No fixing.

You’re just seeing. Whatever the numbers are, they are what they are. They were true yesterday when you weren’t looking. They’re true now that you’re looking. The looking doesn’t make them worse.

If you feel overwhelmed, return to the Attention Process from Unit 1. Spot some corners. Ground yourself. Then continue.

Today’s Practice

Do the Financial Reality Check.

1. Gather account information (log into accounts, check statements)
2. List each account with current balance
3. Calculate: total cash, total debt, net position
4. Write it down

Take as long as you need. If you can’t do it all today, do part today and finish tomorrow.