2018 is almost over, have you paid down your debt or saved enough money yet? Don’t be so upset if the answer is no. Actually the end of the year is a great time to look back and review our financial situation, so we can make a plan to improve it next year. And, just like bad habits can get you into financial problem, good habits can keep you out of it and help us achieve our long term goals and bring us joy. Keep reading! Here are 7 good financial habits that you should develop and help you achieve better life.
1. Stop Overspending With Credit
Which also means we shouldn’t spend more than we have – Yes, we are satisfied for a moment when we purchase an expensive item beyond your budget. But it’s also the truth that we may find ourselves suffering from debt the next month again, again and again. To be honest, credit cards have a lot of great advantages! But just remember using your credit cards for must-have things. If you can’t control your habit of overspending, just leave your credit card at home when you go to the mall.
2. Having a Budget
Sometimes you overspend your money because you don’t have a monthly budget. A budget can help you know better about how much you really need to spend each month and what exactly you need to buy. It also can avoid impulse buying. If you want to get out of debt, you need to list all of your bills and expenses on the paper at first and then spend your money based on your monthly schedule. There are also many apps that can help you maintain the monthly budget, like Mint, Count About, etc.
3. Invest in Yourself
I know, you deserve more than you think. But at first, you need to learn to invest in yourself and you should make it a habit. If you want to earn more money, you can develop a new skill; If you want to improve your financial situation, you can search and learn or read relevant books.
4. Long-Term Planning
Do you have children? Have you prepared for retirement? Whether you like it or not, we need to consider the future, the money and the life. You need to get your short-term goal first, which means you need to cover the daily expenses and have no debts, then you can save or plan for the future(retirement, college tuition, new car, second home, pay-off credit card debt, etc. )This may involve investing, saving, more income or cutting your budget.
5. Taking Advantage Of Better Pricing
Whether it’s online shopping or in-store shopping, you need to do your research wisely before your purchase. You see a fashion coat you want to buy, take one or two minutes search coupons or promo codes on Google to make sure you are getting the best price available to you instead of purchasing it immediately. I love shopping online and my favorite way to find coupons is to browse Retailmenot for exclusive coupons and deals. Coupon sites and blogs help you find discount items and it really helps you save money and time.
