Breaking Habits can be very hard, especially during times of stress when those habits can make us feel good in the short run. This is why having financial goals is good. Also having someone to help hold you accountable to reaching those financial goals is helpful. Making a few good decisions now can help you reach long-term success.
Here are some ways to change your bad habits into good habits:
#1: Get on a Budget! This is the biggest game changer in reaching your financial goals. Having a budget doesn’t mean that you are denied spending money or that you have to give up everything that you love. It means having a plan for the month before it begins. One of my favorite Dave Ramsey quotes is “Children do what feels good. Adults devise a plan and follow it.”
#2: Understand Yourself and Motivations. We each have the power to make decisions that move us towards our financial goals or away from them. Knowing your strengths and struggles will help you. Rachel Cruz also has a new book coming out soon called Know Yourself, Know Your Money which delves more into this concept. It’s a great read and I highly recommend it!
#3: Meal Plan. Plan your meals at the start of each week to avoid being unprepared at dinner time and eating out. When you do eat out, have a budget and a plan ahead of time so that you don’t overspend. Need meal ideas? Try www.emeals.com I’ve been using them for over a decade to come up with meal recipes and ideas.
#4: Wait Before you Buy. Sometimes you need to say no to something to gain something better in the long run. It takes wisdom to make decisions on things that help you reach your financial goals. A question to consider is Would I buy this if no one ever sees it?