The dawn of a new year comes with fresh opportunities, renewed energy, and the chance to redefine your personal finance and investment trajectory.

• Money means different things to different people but has been proven to be an essential tool in helping individuals get the best out of life.
• Money management is essentially the process of keeping track of your finances. 
• This can include your: Spending, Savings, Budgeting, and Investing.

Money management is key to accomplish your personal and professional goals. Here are some techniques to manage your money effectively:

Plan your finances

It is important to plan for your finances and ensure that you can make a connection between your life goals and your personal finances. Your personal finances and investments are supposed to help you live the life your desire. Planning will help you to move from zero to where you want and need to be with your finances over time.

Budgeting

A budget is hands down the best way to manage money. Creating a realistic budget is crucial for managing your finances effectively.

• Track your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back.
• Allocate a portion of your income for savings and make it a non-negotiable habit.
• Explore ways to increase your income, such as taking on a side gig or seeking career advancement opportunities.

Building up an emergency fund

If you don’t have an emergency fund yet, you want to create one as soon as you can. Think of it as your armor against uncertainties.

• It helps you pay for unexpected necessities so you can stay on track and spend your money on the things you really want.
• Consider automating your savings to help you stay on track with your savings goals.
• Keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account or a Money Market Fund.

Figuring out an investment strategy

Once you’ve built up a cushion of emergency money, you can start investing. Investing might be one of the best decisions you can make when building a solid financial foundation and planning for your financial future.

• It is important to start with low-risk investment options such as money market funds and SACCOs.
• Consistently build a defensive portfolio before you can embank other investments such as real estate, shares and treasury bills, and bonds.
• Essentially, create a process that works for you.

Create multiple income streams

It is important to use your primary source of income to generate even more money through passive investment options and let your money work for you. This will help you achieve your financial goals and financial freedom even faster.

Some of the passive investment options could include side hustles, money market funds, SACCOs, treasury bills and bonds, rental property, dividend stocks, etc.

Staying on top of financial market developments

It is important to have access to credible sources of financial information to help you keep updated on financial market developments. This is especially important in the era of information overload.

The quality of information that you access is critical in your personal finance journey. Improve your ability to earn: strive to become wiser and more knowledgeable.

Insurance

It is important to protect your wealth and family with insurance. Look at various insurance covers and select what would work for you and your loved ones

By taking consistent and disciplined practical steps, you can transform your financial landscape and achieve financial freedom. Go forth, conquer your finances, and make your money work for you, not the other way around.

The author is the founder and CEO of Abojani, a digital-first personal finance management company that helps individuals connect their personal finances to their life goals.