Ah, spring is in the air. A crisp breeze is blowing, the sun is shining again, and flowers are just beginning to blossom. This is typically a time when we open our windows, sweep the dust out from under the sofa and clear away the clutter that we hoarded over the winter months.

Spring cleaning is underway!

In addition to your physical surroundings, there may be another area to spring clean that you haven’t yet thought of.

At the end of the day, we could all use a little extra money. How about taking a bit of time to spring clean your spending habits?

The exchange of money for goods and services actually was quite an ingenious invention. It is a great tool of exchange, that allows us to accumulate wealth and then later decide how much of that wealth we would like to put toward the acquisition of things we need or desire.

Often we get caught up in spending habits that have little to do with the initial purpose of exchanging money.

* We purchase items spur of the moment without much thought.

* We purchase items because we think it will make us feel better.

* We purchase things with the notion that they might make us look good.

Yet, in the end, these spending habits leave our bank accounts empty and us wanting for more. Essentially, these spending habits actually create the atmosphere of lack and insecurity that we are attempting to fulfill with our spending habits.

See the cycle?

Ready for a little spring cleaning? Take a moment and review the following:

* What are your spending habits like?

* What are you sweeping under the sofa, not wanting to admit it's there?

* What are you spending that you don't really need yet are attempts to feel good?

* What clutter are you accumulating that cost you money and you are now spring cleaning out of your home?

* What are you willing to eliminate that could give you a little extra money at the end of the day?

* How many articles of clothing did you purchase that still have tags on them in the closet?

And, here are some money-saving ideas that you can implement right now!

* Make those Christmas returns!

* Highlight the items on your bank statement that you didn't really need and eliminate them from your spending this month.

* Empty your pockets at the end of the day and throw your change in a jar.

* Make coffee at home and go to the coffee shop as a special treat.

* Create a simple budget for yourself this month.

And, just as our physical spring cleaning task becomes easier each year when we establish empowering habits, so will your spending spring cleaning.

I challenge you to eliminate your spending clutter this spring. Make it a goal to invest only in higher pursuits - things that enhance your career skills, enrich your spirit, sharpen your financial skills, improve your relationships. In time, you will find that you've traded your lackadaisical attitude toward money for one of abundance.