The Hidden Cost of Bad Money Habits

• What are bad money habits?

• The truth about impulse buying

• Pro tip: pay attention to your thoughts

• Keep the future in mind

• Beware of fees!

• The power of habit tracking

• Stay above the sand

Let's face it, we all have our fair share of bad money habits. 

Whether it's treating yourself to a new outfit or going out for drinks with the gang, it's easy to justify your spending habits with the classic "treat yo self" motto.

Bad money habits can be considered anything that doesn’t bring you long-term happiness. Think overspending on stuff you don’t need, not saving enough and relying too heavily on credit.

They’re like that one friend who always says "let's split the bill evenly" but somehow always orders the most expensive item on the menu. 

By being aware of your bad money habits and making small changes, you can start saving more and building a healthier relationship with your finances.

Impulse buying is a psychological phenomenon that affects us all. It’s the unchecked desire to buy something, often without considering its practicality or necessity. 

Why do we do this?

There are a lot of reasons. We may succumb to emotional triggers, social pressure or marketing tactics which we’re constantly bombarded with. 

For example, a sale or a limited-time offer can create a sense of urgency and that triggers us to buy something so we don’t lose out on a deal. 

Similarly, if we are feeling stressed or anxious, we may turn to shopping as a form of temporary relief or distraction. It's essential to recognise these triggers and learn to control our impulses to avoid regretful purchases.

When it comes to managing our finances, one of the most important things we can do is pay attention to our thoughts. 

They can help us understand why we’re spending money on yet another pair of running shoes.

It's easy to get caught up in the moment and make decisions without considering long-term consequences. But if we take a step back and really think about what we're doing, we'll be better equipped to make smarter financial choices.

Being mindful about anything in life is worth it.

That daily coffee run may seem innocent enough but over time, that $5 a day will add up to a whopping $1,825 a year. 

That's a lot of dough for just one small pleasure. 

And let's not forget about those online impulse buys or the snacks that always seem to find their way into our shopping trolley.

By exercising self-control and delaying gratification, we can develop a sense of discipline that will help us stay on track and work towards our long-term goals. 

And hey, if you can survive on instant noodles and tap water during university, you can certainly survive without a daily coffee from that fancy café down the road.

Bad money habits can be costly – especially if you’re making them on a credit card.

Watch out for the sneaky charges that can add up over time – interest, late fees and penalties for not paying on time. 

It's like a game of financial whack-a-mole, where every time you think you've tackled one problem, another one pops up.

We know we shouldn't be spending all our money on takeout and vintage t-shirts, but damn, it feels good in the moment. The problem is, it often catches up with us when we’ve made zero saving progress.

Sorry, house deposit. 

So, to break free from the hold of your Peter Pan complex and start adulting, it’s time to track your spending. 

Yes, it's boring, but understanding how much money is going where is half the battle.

Tracking one habit in particular is a great place to start. Self-awareness is the first step to change.

We know, managing your finances isn't exactly the most thrilling activity on your to-do list. But as much as we'd all like to stick our heads in the sand and ignore our money, taking control of our finances is actually pretty darn important.

It's the difference between living pay cheque to pay cheque or having a bit of wiggle room in your budget. Plus, having a handle on your money gives you a sense of empowerment – you're the boss of your wallet, baby! 

To summarise, bad money habits have a way of catching up with you. Both in the present and long-term.

Staying on top of your finances is now easier than ever thanks to Wisr App.

Easily monitor your credit scores, automate savings and manage your Wisr loan.