Money Habits of People Who are Debt Free

Whether your goal is to become debt free, run a marathon, or simply declutter your home and live a more minimalist lifestyle, we often turn to those who have had success and do what they do. It’s called studying best practice.

If you want to learn how to run a marathon, you would talk to other runners and follow a training plan. If you want to enjoy a more minimalist lifestyle, you would read up on minimalism and talk to other minimalists. If you want to become debt free, you adopt the money habits of people who are debt free.

Organize and Pay Attention to Your Bills

Rather than just piling up the bills and walking away from them, people who are debt free open their bills as soon as they come in. They check to make sure that the statement is accurate and organize them in a way to ensure that the bill is paid on time.

Live Within Your Means

People who are debt free do not spend beyond what they earn. It seems obvious, I know. But in these days where credit is easy to come by, and most aren’t spending intentionally, it’s easy to spend more money than what comes in every month.

People who are debt free follow the principle that if you don’t have the cash, you can’t afford it. So part of living within your means also requires you to strengthen your savings muscle and set aside money each month for larger purchases like vacations, home improvements, or a new-to-them vehicle.

Don’t Try to Keep Up With the Joneses

People who are debt free have learned to practice the art of contentment and are grateful and happy with what they have. They don’t worry that their neighbors just purchased a shiny new vehicle or just upgraded to a 75-inch flat screen television.

They also avoid the trap of emotional spending and buying items to make them feel better. They know that these unplanned purchases only have a temporary effect on one’s feelings, and if anything may lead to feelings of stress later on in the month.

Demonstrate Self-Control

In order to live within your means, it’s important to be intentional with your money and develop a spending plan. Debt-free people create a budget before the month begins which gives each dollar coming in a job, helping to eliminate money that disappears or gets wasted.

Part of living on a budget also means avoiding impulse purchases. These impulse purchases can quickly destroy a budget. Instead try avoiding the stores that you know cause you the most temptation when it comes to buying impulsively. You know that trip to Target that you made to purchase one item and ended up walking out with $100 worth. Trust me, been there, done that!

Be Proactive

It’s no surprise that being proactive is the first habit discussed in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey. People who gain control of their finances and live debt free have learned to be proactive. This means that they have looked at ways to cut their budgets and their spending to free up extra income to pay off their debt and then start saving. They will also look for ways to earn an extra income if it’s necessary to reach their financial goals.

Your Turn!

  • What’s one money habit that you would like to improve?

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