When it comes to money, we all have some bad habits from time to time. Sometimes they’re learned early in life, and sometimes they’re picked up along the way. Here are 5 habits that you should kick ASAP.

1. Buying snacks at work

Getting hungry in the afternoon is totally normal. But if you find yourself feeding quarters into a vending machine or swiping your card at the convenience store every afternoon, you may have an issue. Just spending a couple dollars a day can really add up over the course of the year. You can probably buy the same snacks at the grocery store for a fraction of the price, and in larger quantity. And that’s without coupons. So next time you get that 2:30pm hunger pain, jot down a note to hit up your favorite grocer on the way home.

2. Making impulse buys

Whenever some people see something they like, they just have to have it. By taking time to think it over, you may eventually decide it wasn’t a wise purchase. Sometimes, all you need is a few minutes to let it simmer in your brain to realize it’s not worth it. Try out a “waiting period” next time you get the impulse to buy something, and see what happens.

3. Not saving money

We probably all started saving later than we should have – whether it’s for retirement, an emergency fund, or just a fun rainy day fund. If you save money first, and then budget the rest when you get a paycheck, you probably won’t even miss that money.

4. Carrying credit card balances

If you have a credit card you’ve probably heard about the evils of using it. While it can get out of control for some people, it can also be a valuable tool for others. If you regularly use your credit card, you’ve most likely carried a balance on occasion. Anyone who’s ever done this realizes how bad credit card interest can really be. Paying off credit card debt can take decades for some people. Don’t get trapped.

5. Paying big bucks for cable

There are plenty of other alternatives out there for entertainment. Cable can become very costly and sometimes that’s not your top priority in terms of bills. Netflix and Hulu provide hundreds of movies and TV shows at much lower rates. Do a price comparison and decide what’s best for your budget.

Article source: John Pettit for CUInsight