When people ask me about my book and what it does, I tell them that it’s a kind of ‘workbook’ that’s designed to help them set up their very own Roadmap and learn how to effectively manage their money. How? they ask. I say that it asks them to take a good, hard look at how they spend their money, to set priorities (goals) for themselves, and to stick with it. The book teaches them how to do these things as well as how to set up their Roadmap and how to use it on a regular basis. It helps them keep track of their money – where it’s going, where it needs to be, and what to do with the rest. Sometimes the next question that comes up is How do you know how much money you’re supposed to start with? I then explain that they’ll start with whatever amount is in their account – which is usually followed up by How am I supposed to know how much is in my account? And I say, Well, you’ll need to balance your checkbook.

It’s then that I fear I’ll have to use CPR. They inhale sharply, their hands fly to their chests, their eyes widen, and their mouths gape in horror at the mere thought of having to balance their checkbooks. I reach out to them. I try to steady them with a calming hand on the arm. Occasionally, I have to remind them to breathe . . .

As terrifying as it may sound, balancing your checkbook is one of the first, necessary, steps to setting up your Roadmap and getting control of your finances. You have to make sure all of your debits (outgoing money) and credits (incoming money) are completely accounted for, included in your checkbook, and the balance matches what the bank says you have. This can be particularly difficult if you’ve never balanced your account before, or if it’s been a really long time. But in all honesty, once that’s done, it’s much easier to keep up with it if you balance every time you get your statement. (And if you’re not sure how to do it, there are usually instructions on the back that walk you through it!)

Having a current and accurate balance is needed when setting up and using your Roadmap, but it’s also incredibly important to note that it will also help you find any discrepancies, mistakes, or unauthorized use of your account. In this day and age of identity theft, you can’t be too careful with your money! No one at the bank is monitoring your account, and the computer simply spits out your statement, which means it’s up to you to be on top of it. And the best way to do that is to keep your balance up to date and accurate.

I’ve had many, many conversations about money management and finances, and I can tell you right now that one of the most important, and simplest, things you can do for yourself is to keep track of your money on a regular basis. Balance your checkbook every month, keep your Roadmap updated, and once you get the hang of it I’m certain some of that anxiety will start to slip away and you’ll feel much better knowing that you’re in control. It’s a balancing act, but I know you can do it.