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Some of us have habits that keep us from saving money and make us live from paycheck to paycheck, never having any money in case of emergencies.
This is a vicious cycle but it’s possible to break if you observe your habits closely and put in some time and effort.
So here are 9 habits that keep you living paycheck-to-paycheck and how to fix it.
Important Side Note:
If you’re in debt, then I would definitely read Dave Ramsey’s book The Total Money Makeover which you can check out here. He’s helped MILLIONS of people climb their way out of debt and have financial peace and security. So DEFINITELY check him out!
Also! He has another great book called the Legacy Journey which is a great read. Check it out here
1. Comparison
Comparison is one of the worst things that you can do to keep yourself living paycheck-to-paycheck.
But trust me, a lot of those people you see in those big houses and driving those fancy cars are drowning in debt. They paid for those nice things on a loan and can’t even afford them.
So if you don’t compare and don’t live above your means, you’ll keep debt away.
2. Being in Debt
This contributes a lot to the fact that you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck because you’re always making payments.
So do your best to follow a debt payment method, like the snowball method, so you can start saving money and live a better life.
3. Not Making Enough Money
You could always find some extra sources of income and do some work in your spare time. This way you will have extra money to get rid of your debts and save up for the things you want and need.
4. Not Budgeting
Budgets are the best way to help you monitor your expenses and keep on track. Budgets will allow you to make cuts where necessary and let you save some money for fun.
Budgeting is always worth the time and effort setting up. Here’s a step-by-step guide on making a budget using spreadsheets.
5. Being an Impulsive Buyer
This is one of the worst habits of people who live paycheck-to-paycheck.
So, whenever you decide to buy something, don’t immediately make a decision. Think about it for 1-2 weeks, and if it’s out of your price range, then save up and wait for later.
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6. Buying Convenience
I understand that we’re all very busy with our lives and it gets hard to cook at home and do laundry and press your clothes or do the cleaning yourself.
But all these things that you’re paying someone else to do could easily be done by you if you cut down on your entertainment time a bit.
Start planning your meals and buy monthly or weekly groceries. Take your clothes to the neighborhood laundry yourself and press them at home the night before work.
Cook all your meals without getting fast food. And better yet, why not listen to a podcast or audiobook while doing it?
7. Not Distinguishing Between Needs & Wants
Monitor yourself and understand what your actual needs are and what’s just a desire. This is one of the quickest ways to save money.
You just simply ask yourself one question:
Do I NEED this or do I WANT this?
This may be hard to distinguish at first, but it’s something you can work at.
8. Snowballing
We all have guilty pleasures that we think aren’t costing us that much, but everyday coffee from your local café and some extra goodies from the store start adding up.
So pay attention to these small purchases, and cut back!
9. Not Having a Savings Account or Emergency Fund
Life happens and things pop up which is why you always need to be prepared.
Every payday, make sure to put money back into your savings account and money into your emergency fund so that nothing catches you off guard.
Check out my post on how to build an emergency fund here!
Living paycheck to paycheck is a stressful cycle that must be immediately broken by not only your habits but also your mindset.
So make sure that you’re always growing in how you view money and you’ll start to see things get better month by month.
Chasing Foxes was started in 2016 as a way for Grace and her husband, Silas, to start traveling. However, they started to realize that they had a passion for improving themselves, and wanted to help others level up their lives as well. So whether it's with cooking, travel, or staying healthy, they want to help you better your life bit by bit, as they do the same.