Hi, I’m Sarah, a 34-year-old freelance writer and mother of two who used to be terrible with money. Seriously, if there was a financial mistake to be made, I had made it—impulse shopping, skipping budgeting, relying on credit cards for daily expenses, you name it. I hit rock bottom when I checked my bank account one day and realized I was living paycheck to paycheck with no savings, no emergency fund, and no plan.
That moment was a wake-up call. I knew I needed to change, so I started reading, learning, and implementing better financial habits. Over time, I discovered that saving money isn’t about how much you earn but how you manage and spend what you have. Let me share the seven habits I had to stop to turn my finances around and how avoiding them helped me save more money than I ever thought possible.
- Read also: Ultimate Financial Crisis Survival Guide
1. Impulse Buying Was My Weakness
I’ll never forget the time I spent $200 on a set of “premium” kitchen gadgets I didn’t even need. They sat in the cupboard for months before I eventually donated them. Impulse buying was my financial kryptonite—I’d convince myself that a sale was a great deal or that a random purchase would make me happier.
I created a 24-hour rule. If I wanted something that wasn’t essential, I’d wait at least a day before buying it. Nine times out of ten, I’d realize I didn’t need it. I also started using shopping lists for groceries and stuck to them religiously. This one habit alone saved me hundreds every month.
2. Ignoring a Budget Was Costing Me
For years, I thought budgeting was only for people with spreadsheets and a love for numbers. I didn’t think it was necessary because I “knew” what I was spending. Spoiler alert: I had no idea. I was shocked when I added up my monthly coffee runs, takeout, and random Amazon purchases—it was over $600 a month.
I downloaded a simple budgeting app and started tracking every dollar. At first, it was hard to see just how much I was overspending, but it gave me clarity. I set limits for discretionary spending and created savings goals, which made it easier to stick to the budget. Now, budgeting feels empowering rather than restrictive.
3. Subscriptions Were Stealing My Money
One day, I noticed a $10 charge on my credit card statement for a streaming service I hadn’t used in months. When I dug deeper, I realized I was paying for three streaming platforms, a fitness app, and a subscription box I’d forgotten to cancel.
I went through my bank statements and canceled everything I wasn’t using. It was a surprisingly satisfying process—like decluttering my finances. Now, I only subscribe to things I genuinely use, and I set calendar reminders to review subscriptions every few months.
4. Dining Out Was My Achilles’ Heel
I love food. Like, really love food. For a long time, eating out felt like my reward for working hard. But when I added up the receipts, I realized I was spending over $800 a month on restaurants and takeout.
I started meal planning. On Sundays, I’d plan simple, delicious meals for the week and prep some of the ingredients ahead of time. It saved me time and money. I also gave myself a limit—dining out no more than twice a month. Now, eating out feels like a treat rather than a habit.
5. I Never Shopped Around for Deals
I used to buy whatever I needed from the first place I saw, assuming it was fine. One time, I bought a new blender for $100, only to find the exact same one for $60 a week later. That was the moment I realized I needed to be more strategic.
I started comparing prices online before making purchases. I also signed up for cashback apps and looked for promo codes. It became a fun challenge to see how much I could save. Once, I scored a pair of winter boots for 50% off just by waiting a few days for a sale.
6. Credit Cards Were My Crutch
I relied on credit cards for everything—groceries, gas, even small purchases like snacks. While I paid the minimum balance every month, the interest was eating me alive. I didn’t realize how much those little swipes were costing me until I checked my statements and saw how slowly my debt was decreasing.
I switched to using my debit card for everyday expenses and set up auto-payments to cover more than the minimum on my credit card. Seeing my credit card balance shrink felt amazing, and I eventually paid it off completely. Now, I only use my credit card for planned purchases and pay it off in full each month.
7. No Emergency Fund = Constant Stress
The lack of an emergency fund was probably the biggest mistake I made. When my car broke down unexpectedly, I had to put the $1,200 repair on my credit card. That one expense set me back months financially and made me realize how unprepared I was.
I started small, setting aside $50 from each paycheck into a separate savings account. As my finances improved, I increased it to $100, then $200. It took time, but I eventually built an emergency fund that covered three months of expenses. Knowing I had a safety net gave me peace of mind and motivation to keep saving.
Final Thoughts: My Money Turnaround
These seven habits were draining my finances and keeping me stuck in a cycle of stress and paycheck-to-paycheck living. Once I identified them and started making changes, my financial situation began to improve dramatically. Within a year, I had paid off my credit card debt, built a solid emergency fund, and started saving for bigger goals like a family vacation and retirement.
If you’re struggling to save money, take it from me: it’s not about being perfect. Start small, focus on one habit at a time, and celebrate your progress along the way. The small changes you make today can have a huge impact on your financial future.
