Overcoming the Ten Money Habits That Keep You Poor

Money management is taught. There are good habits and bad habits that you pick up along the way. However, some money habits are not suitable for your finances. They will continue to keep you struggling financially. The solution to these bad money habits is to develop smart strategies to counter them.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn about how to stop living beyond your means and make a budget.

• Not saving and investing your money affects your long-term financial future.

• Impulse buying can quickly drain your wallet.

• Only paying the minimum on your debts will keep your finances from recovering. The best way to handle your finances is by performing regular reviews.

• Engaging in risky financial behaviors harms your bottom line. These include getting involved with get-rich-quick schemes and scams.

• Never engaging in financial education will keep your bad habits alive.

Blog Contents

1. Spending Beyond Your Means
2. Not Saving or Investing Your Money
3. Impulse Buying
4. Paying the Minimum on Debts
5. Not Reviewing Your Finances
6. Engaging in Risky Financial Behaviors
7. Steering Clear of Financial Education
8. Relying Too Much on Credit Cards

What Money Habits Keep You Poor? (Even If You Make Good Income)

1. Spending Beyond Your Means

Spending money without a budget is like driving a car without using the brakes. You’re not setting any limits, so you usually end up overspending and asking yourself, “Where did my paycheck go?” You spend most of your money trying to keep up appearances. This mindset is detrimental to your finances and mental health. You may come up short each month because you have spent too much money.

The Solution: A budget. Most people agree that budgets are important but forget to keep track. So, the best way to break this bad habit is to make it easy to record your expenses. You can do this in a myriad of ways. You can use software on your computer, like Microsoft Excel or Quickbooks, to keep track of your spending. 

If you’re always glued to your phone, use a budgeting app. You can plan your budget and plug in your daily expenses, which will notify you when you’re about to overspend. Some apps will also generate monthly reports to monitor your spending patterns.

If you’re not a “tech” person, record it in a notebook or use the envelope system. Withdraw your total monthly expenses and then divide them into envelopes marked for each type of expense (bills, rent, food, etc.).

2. Not Saving or Investing Your Money

Saving and investing your money are the cornerstones of good finances. If you don’t put aside any of your income for the future, you may experience financial hardship. Not having an emergency or retirement fund leads to future financial issues. Spending money as fast as you get it is not a growth mindset. Instead, you will always struggle to have enough money.

The Solution: Create to create saving and investing goals. Saving helps you achieve short-term financial goals, like buying a new car, taking a vacation, or making a down payment on a home. Having these funds readily available reduces the need to borrow money or dip into long-term investments prematurely. Establish an emergency fund and direct 10-15% of your income towards retirement and other financial objectives. Prioritize automated savings to ensure you pay yourself first. 

Investing is perfect for long-term financial goals. Investing allows your money to grow over time through the power of compounding. By earning returns on your investments, your wealth has the potential to increase substantially over the years. There are investing apps that make the process even easier. Some offer the option of rounding up your purchases and investing the change. Others can take a certain amount from your checking or savings or invest monthly.

3. Impulse Buying

Retail therapy only relieves stress temporarily. The temptation of impulse spending, particularly online shopping, can be alluring. Unplanned purchases, especially those that are non-essential, have the potential to disrupt your financial stability. The initial adrenaline rush quickly changes into shopper’s remorse, followed by worry over how to pay for all those purchases. It can also cause you to live paycheck to paycheck, further increasing stress.

The Solution: Delay Gratification. Resist the impulse to make impromptu splurges and opt for delayed gratification. Before hitting that "buy" button, pause and evaluate if the purchase aligns with your budget and financial objectives. Implement a 24-hour waiting period before acquiring discretionary items to curb impulse spending.

4. Paying the Minimum on Debts

Opting to pay only the minimum required on credit cards, loans, and other debts results in higher interest expenses and an extended debt repayment period. You will be stuck in a debt cycle that could take years to clear. You will end up paying more than your initial debt at the start. It is difficult to have long-term financial goals when you are saddled with debt.

The Solution: Pay more, even if it’s a few dollars. Cultivate the practice of consistently making additional payments toward the principal, particularly on debts with high interest rates. Even if you can only add a few extra dollars to each payment, it helps. Or you can spit your payments on some debts, like credit cards. Accelerating the debt repayment process is essential for unlocking funds allocated toward savings and wealth building.

5. Not Reviewing Your Finances

It’s natural to want to ignore your bank and credit card statements. Many people don’t want to know if their finances are in bad shape. However, this habit will definitely keep you in financial straits. Neglecting regular reviews of your bank and credit card statements and your comprehensive budget and spending habits can result in overlooked errors, unnoticed fees, and a lack of clarity regarding your spending patterns.

The Solution: Do regular financial checks. Establish a routine of monthly financial assessments and make necessary adjustments. Staying informed is essential to avoid larger financial mistakes, like overdrafting your bank account. It will help you stay on track with your spending and identify any savings and investing opportunities.

6. Engaging in Risky Financial Behaviors

It’s natural to want to make money quickly and easily. However, that is a high risk that can have little return. It can cause substantial harm to your finances. Schemes promising quick riches, investments that pledge unrealistic returns, and financial frauds often exploit a desire for easy wealth rather than sound financial judgment. Many people lose their money to financial scams each year.

The Solution: Slow down and recognize signs of scams. To protect yourself, exercise caution when approached with opportunities that sound too good to be true, and conduct thorough research before investing or participating in any financial venture. Remember that genuine wealth accumulation takes time, discipline, and prudent decision-making. Trusting your instincts and relying on reputable sources for financial advice is crucial, steering clear of anyone who pressures you into quick, high-risk investments or requests sensitive personal information. Maintaining a healthy skepticism and due diligence can minimize the risk of falling victim to financial scams and fraudulent schemes.

7. Steering Clear of Financial Education

It is true that financial literacy isn’t often taught in schools. However, as an adult, there are many options to get educated on finances. If you ignore financial education as an adult, you will lack the skills to improve your finances. You will never fully understand how your money works, leading to poor financial decisions.

The Solution: Take financial literacy courses. There are many options available, and they are free. You can easily take an online course if you need a structured program. Great financial books are out there to help you on your financial journey. Furthermore, some apps and videos help teach you about your finances. 

8. Relying Too Much on Credit Cards

Credit cards make it easy to purchase anything. One swipe or tap is all it takes. You can even save this form of payment on your phone. While credit cards offer convenience and short-term financial flexibility, they can also lead to several financial pitfalls. Excessive credit card usage can result in high-interest debt, making it challenging to pay off balances and causing a cycle of debt that accrues interest over time. Additionally, it can negatively impact your credit score if you consistently carry high balances relative to your credit limit. Overreliance on credit cards can lead to impulsive spending and a lack of financial discipline, making it difficult to save or invest for long-term goals. 

The Solution: Restrict Access. Taking proactive steps to restrict credit card access and use can be a proactive strategy for achieving financial discipline and stability. Start by evaluating your spending habits and identifying triggers that lead to impulsive credit card usage. Consider physically limiting access to your credit cards by leaving them at home or storing them in a less accessible place. Another effective measure is to set lower credit limits on your cards, reducing overspending temptation. Additionally, explore the option of freezing or locking your credit cards temporarily, allowing you to regain control and curb spontaneous purchases. Finally, remove your saved payment information from your favorite online stores and devices.

How to Break Those Bad Money Habits

Bad honey habits don’t have to last. There are ways you can start changing your habits and attitudes toward money. We dive deeper into tips that can help you break those habits that keep you poor.

1. Self-Reflection:

The first step in breaking bad money habits is self-reflection. Take a compassionate look at your financial behaviors without judgment. Understand the roots of your habits and acknowledge the need for change.

2. Goal Setting:

Define clear and achievable financial goals. Whether it's building an emergency fund, paying off debt, or saving for a significant purchase, having well-defined goals provides motivation and direction. Break these goals into smaller, manageable steps for a sense of accomplishment along the way.

3. Establish Healthy Habits:

Replace detrimental habits with positive routines. Set up automated transfers to savings accounts, opt for cash or debit over credit cards, and embrace the practice of delayed gratification. Cultivate a mindset of mindful spending that aligns with your financial goals.

4. Educate Yourself:

Knowledge is empowering. Invest in financial education to understand budgeting, investing, and debt management. Familiarize yourself with personal finance books, podcasts, or reputable online resources to enhance financial literacy.

5. Seek Support:

Breaking bad money habits can be challenging, but you don't have to do it alone. Seek support from friends, family, or financial advisors. Share your goals and progress with someone you trust, creating a network that encourages positive change.

6. Celebrate Milestones:

Celebrate your achievements along the way. Whether it's paying off a credit card, reaching a savings milestone, or sticking to your budget for a month, acknowledging your progress boosts motivation and reinforces positive behaviors.

7. Learn from Setbacks:

Recognize that setbacks are a natural part of the journey. If you veer off course, view it as an opportunity to learn and adjust your approach. Reflect on the factors that led to the setback and use the experience to refine your financial strategies.

Stay the Course

You don’t have to continue to struggle financially. Breaking bad money habits is a transformative process that opens the door to financial freedom. You can reshape your financial future by fostering self-awareness, setting clear goals, embracing positive habits, and seeking support. Remember, every positive financial choice brings you one step closer to the financial success you deserve.