The Update

3 Common Money Mistakes People Make

Everyone wants to manage their money responsibly, but many people often make mistakes in ways they handle money – without even realizing it. They may have fallen into a bad habit they can’t shake off, or they may be misinformed or less educated in a certain area. The good news is, harmful behaviors can always be unlearned. Let’s take a look at three common money mistakes and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Ignoring One's Financial Situation

It is quite common for people to go about their everyday lives without giving much thought to their financial situation. They may not know how much money they have in their checking and saving accounts, be blissfully ignorant of their outstanding debt and/or have no awareness about the quality of their credit score.

Unfortunately, when it comes to money, ignorance is NOT bliss. Ignoring money can lead to serious consequences, like insurmountable debt, missed payments and minimal or no savings for future needs. By turning a blind eye to one’s financial health, they risk falling into a cycle of financial instability and stress.

The fix: To avoid this mistake, assess your income, expenses and savings on a regular basis. Creating a budget can help you get a handle on your financial inflows and outflows, which will enable you to make informed decisions about your spending habits. By confronting your financial situation head-on, you can identify areas where you can cut back, save more and, best of all, achieve and maintain financial wellness.

Mistake #2: Not Having a Clear Money Vision

The second common money mistake is a lack of a financial plan or goals. Without an established money vision, it can be challenging to make smart money choices. You may find that you slip into negative financial habits when there are no goals to keep you in line. These poor habits include (but are not limited to) spending impulsively, accumulating unnecessary debt or failing to save for your future.

The fix: It’s crucial to establish short-term and long-term financial goals. Whether it’s saving for a down payment on a house, starting a business or planning for retirement, having a clear vision will guide all your financial decisions and ensure they’re choices you can live with for years to come. To make it easier, break down your goals into actionable steps, such as setting aside a specified amount of money for savings each month or investing in assets that align with your long-term plans. A vision will provide you with motivation, purpose and a sense of control over your financial future.

Mistake #3: Not Discussing Money

The third common money mistake is failing to talk about money within various kinds of relationships. This can be a relationship between parents and children, business partners or, most commonly, between life partners. Money is a sensitive topic, and many people believe they can avoid arguing over money by simply not talking about it. Unfortunately, though, this rarely works. Instead, not talking about money can lead to misunderstandings, conflict and financial instability within the relationship.

The fix: Have open and honest discussions about money with your partner. This includes talking about shared financial goals, spending habits and even potential conflicts surrounding money. By establishing open lines of communication, you can work together to create a joint financial plan that aligns with both partners’ values and aspirations. Regular conversations about money can also help to build trust, ensure financial transparency and avoid surprises or hidden financial burdens down the road.

Money mistakes are common, but with some knowledge and proactive steps, you can easily avoid them. Use this guide to learn how to fix three common money mistakes and avoid making them in the future.

Free Financial Coaching

Do you want to learn more about finances, budgeting, good credit, and more? RGCU offers free financial coaching. Our certified coaches can help better understand where you're at with your finances, and give you tips to keep you from making one of the three mistakes above.