Do You Have These Bad Money Habits?

Are you good with your money? That depends on what you call 'good.' Spending money doesn't have to be a BAD thing, but if you're spending all of your income every month, you may want to check out these bad spending habits, and make some changes.

• THE EMOTIONAL SPENDER: If you spend money to make your worries go away, you're backing yourself into a corner.
• TIP: For any unplanned purchase, wait 24 hours before giving in to the item that seems so important today. Spending all of your money is just going to created more problems down the road.
• THE LENDER: Are you the person that saves the day for your family and friends by lending them money when they are unable to get a loan? This could be a dangerous game for you.
• TIP: If someone asks you for financial help, and your really want to help them, consider it a gift. Most of the time, even though intentions are good, the person will not be able to pay you back. Other ideas rather than lending money could be offering up ways to help them save their own money, like giving them a ride to work everyday to save up their gas money.
• THE 'PICK UP THE CHECK' GUY:  Are you the one who always picks up the tab? You never look at the total, and you totally impress everyone at the table? Doing this will become expected, and you can expect a lot more dinner invites.
• TIP: Stop it. Before the waiter or waitress asks if it's all on one check, tell them clearly, who you are paying for before they can ask the question. No one is going to say anything; however, they may change their order to something they can actually afford, if they  know you're not buying this time.
• COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES: A big problem; and I have it too. How much money you make or have, does not determine your worth.
• TIP: Don't try to live up to the Jones'. They might be overspending and end up in the doghouse. It's not the size of your home that counts, its what you make of it.
• THE ALL CREDIT ALL THE TIME GAL: Do credit cards spill out of your wallet, as you try to remember how much available credit you have on each one, deciding which card to use for this purchase?
• TIP: start using your bank card, or pay cash. Use the credit cards for emergencies only, and never let the amount of credit you spend, be more than 1/4 of your available credit if possible.Remember, if you only make the minimum payment every month, it could take you years to pay them off.
• IGNORING YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT: Ignoring what's going into and coming out of your accounts is about the worst thing you can do financially.
• TIP: Check your account daily. Make sure you have a positive balance, and look over all of the transactions, to catch any inaccuracies before it's too late.