Rome wasn’t built in a day, and if you want to change your life in a significant way, it’s going to take time and determination. However, there are some things you can do right now to get the ball rolling, and put yourself on the path to a brighter future. Here are some ideas!

Sign up to an online course

Going back into education as an adult used to be an enormous investment. There were huge barriers to entry- you needed to have certain qualifications just to be considered, you had to commit a certain amount of hours each week and be able to physically travel to the college or university. You had to pay fees that cost an absolute fortune- all of these combined meant it was difficult for anyone to further their education later in their lives. However, it’s all changed now.

Thanks to colleges and universities online, you can study right from the comfort of your home. Many courses don’t have specific qualifications as prerequisites, so it’s something you can do even if you left school without doing your exams. If you already have a degree, you could go on to study a Masters or other postgrad course. Education will improve your job prospects if you’re looking to improve your career (either now, or later down the line when your children are older). But it’s also something you can do just for yourself- a way to improve your skills and to reach your own personal goals.

Speak to a debt management company

Being in debt is stressful and expensive. It doesn’t need to be a lot of debt for it to have an impact on your life, and even small amounts can spiral and become quite unmanageable. If you’re struggling, contact a debt management company. They can negotiate with your creditors and put a fixed plan in place which is affordable. They can even work to have interest rates frozen or massively reduced, meaning it’s quicker to pay things off. You might have been burying your head in the sand about the situation, so it’s taking this first step which is the hardest. But it will be the best thing you’ve ever done, and with everything being tackled properly it can feel like a massive weight off your shoulders.

Organise your house

Home is where the heart is, it’s where you spend a significant chunk of your life, and where you spend time with your nearest and dearest. It needs to be a place that’s pleasant, comfortable and works for you. If you’re forever struggling keeping on top of things, organising it once and for all can really improve your quality of life. Start by decluttering, throw away or donate anything you no longer use- from clothes to kids toys they’ve outgrown, paperwork you no longer need and even food items that have expired. Once you’re down to the basics (the things you need and use) you can find ways to store and organise them that work. Have shelves and hooks fitted in your cupboard under the stairs, turning it into storage for your coats, shoes, bags and umbrellas. Invest in drawer organisers, pots and storage bins as a way to organise items in bedrooms and keep them neat and tidy. Purchase big lidded boxes where you can keep out of season clothes up in the attic until they’re needed again, saving you space in your home. You’ll feel so much more ‘on top’ of things, you’ll be more productive and it will make your daily cleaning regime much quicker and easier too. It’s not about being house proud or ready for guests at the drop of a hat, a tidy home really does equal a tidy mind. It can improve your life far more than you might think.