Money fix! Getting motivated to do better

We may be programmed to focus on what we don't have financially - an emergency living fund, enough saved for kids' college, a zero credit card balance. But life coaches and some financial planners say there's value in appreciating what you do have. Whatever you focus on, they say, that's what you get more of -- be it lack or abundance.

In some cases, clients have a "wow" moment when, as part of creating a "net-worth balance sheet," they tick off all they do have financially, says Rosanne Roge, a financial planner in Bohemia. She's also co-author of "The Banker and the Fisherman -- Lessons in Life, Happiness & Wealth for the 21st Century."

Some find they're not as bad off as they thought. Others, she says, get motivated to do better.

What to include in a written money snapshot:

Income. Include take-home pay, rental income, part-time job pay, expected proceeds from an annual yard sale. Nothing is too small to include, says Roge. You can even include an expected tax refund.

Savings and investments. List savings and checking balances, retirement accounts, insurance policies and annuities. For home equity, figure its ballpark market value at Zillow.com and subtract what you still owe.

Future. What can you expect in retirement payments? Figure out your Social Security benefit through www.SocialSecurity.gov. Is there a likely inheritance hovering out there?

Wild cards. How much do you have in frequent flier miles or other rewards points? What expenses can you be thankful you do NOT have due to, say, a company-paid BlackBerry, carpooling to work, a relative living close enough to baby-sit? They all contribute to the plus side of your motivational balance sheet.