Financial self-care is the foundation of a balanced, stress-free, and fulfilling life. It’s not entirely about paying your bills on time or saving for a rainy day. It’s about nurturing your relationship with money in a way that builds confidence, eases your life, and empowers you to achieve your goals.
Financial competence and education require consistent, intentional action, much like a skincare routine or a well-deserved spa treatment. It’s something we weren’t precisely taught, and it can easily get pushed to the side by the chaos of day-to-day life.
But we absolutely have the resources and power to change that. The good news? It’s not intimidating and doesn’t take an overhaul to turn things around. By addressing a few common mistakes, you can start creating financial habits that feel as rewarding as they are necessary. Here are 15 ways you might unknowingly neglect your financial well-being and practical tips for getting back on track.
You’re Avoiding Your Bank Account
It’s tempting to ignore regularly checking your bank balance, but doing so usually causes more anxiety in the long run. Without clarity, making informed decisions about your spending habits and savings is hard.
Dedicate 15 minutes each week for a “money date.” Review your accounts, assess recent transactions, and reflect on your progress toward financial goals.
Not Having a Budget
Failing to create a personal budget is like navigating without a map. You can get lost and overwhelmed when unexpected expenses arise. Avoiding budgeting also leaves room to overspend and little room to save easily.
Start with a simple structure. User-friendly tools like Mint, YNAB, and EveryDollar can help you craft a monthly plan that balances income, daily expenses, and life’s luxuries.
Ignoring Your Debt
Debt tends to linger and creep on us at the worst times, but avoiding it doesn’t make it disappear. It snowballs, adding stress and limiting your financial freedom.
Write down all your debt, from credit cards to loans, including interest and minimum payments. Create a repayment plan that tackles high-interest debt first. Consider options with credit cards like balance transfers with 0% interest for an extended period.
Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Constantly living in a cycle of waiting for your next paycheck can leave you feeling on edge and unprepared for surprises.
Assess your spending to identify where you can cut costs. Allocate funds to build on your savings. Every deposit will give you peace of mind and a sense of accomplishment.
Not Building an Emergency Fund
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns like car repairs, medical expenses, and even cutbacks from your employer. This can derail the best financial plans if you’re not prepared.
Start small by setting aside just $20-50 per week into a separate savings account. Over time, build toward 3-6 months’ worth of expenses.
Neglecting Retirement Savings
Retirement is not something we want to consider and can seem so far away. However, every year that passes without saving specifically for retirement will make financial independence harder. That’s not what anyone should be stressed about in their younger years.
Sign up for a 401(k) if your employer offers benefits and aim to get the full employer match. If you’re self-employed, consider an IRA option.
Not Having Clear Financial Goals
Without solid financial targets, you won’t have a way of measuring progress and celebrating milestones.
Define short and long-term goals, from paying off debt to planning that bucket list vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Set small, actionable steps for each goal so you can start tracking your progress.
Racking Up too Many Useless Subscriptions
How many times have you fallen for that free 7-day trial and forgot to cancel your subscription months later? From streaming services, meal plans, and fitness apps, these “small” expenses add up and are sucking your bank account, especially if you’re not regularly using these services.
Once a month, review all of your subscriptions. Which ones do you no longer use? Which services are nice to have but you can probably get for free or at a lower price? Cancel them without hesitation.
Keeping Your Money Idle
Sticking to savings accounts alone is holding back your financial potential, especially considering how inflation has affected everyone.
Always opt for a High-Yield Savings Account and consider easy alternatives such as index funds and ETFs. Resources like NerdWallet can help you learn the best options for you. Even small, consistent investments can exponentially grow later.
Not Negotiating Salary or Bills
Unclaimed money through either unnegotiated salaries or overcharges adds up over time.
Do research for your position and practice asking for raises with confidence. Call providers for better utility, insurance, cell phone, WiFi, or credit card rates. You’d be surprised how some companies are accommodating and eager to maintain customer satisfaction.
Not Educating Yourself About Finances
This should be mandatory education in high school and universities, but since it isn’t, it’s up to you to learn how finances, retirement, taxes, and credit scores work. You might feel stuck or not confident enough to pursue your financial goals without knowing the basics first.
Luckily, countless reputable (and free) resources on financial education are available now. Pick up a well-known book, audiobook, podcast, or course and learn tips to elevate your financial acumen.
Ignoring Your Credit Score
Not paying attention to your credit score is a guaranteed way of limiting your purchasing power. You can miss out on premium credit cars with low interest rates, great benefits, or bigger purchases like property and cars.
To boost your score and maintain a positive credit history, check your credit report for free, pay all bills on time, and keep your credit card balances under 30%.
Overspending on Indulgences and Impulse Buying
There is a lot of temptation in our faces to impulse buy things you really don’t need. The allure of instant gratification and easy access comes at the cost of your long-term goals.
Try the 24-hour rule by waiting a day before impulse buying an expensive, non-essential item. You might decide you can use your cash better elsewhere or wait until the item goes on sale.
Skipping Out on Insurance Coverage
Waiving insurance options might seem like a good idea to save money. However, you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position to significant financial loss in the event you experience an urgent unfortunate event like a health scare, property damage, or theft.
Take time to evaluate your insurance needs. Research and compare different providers to find the best policies for your health, home, car, and even valuable items.
Avoiding Conversations About Money
Money can be an awkward topic. Many people think it’s private or lack the confidence and knowledge to discuss it. By doing this, they could miss out on valuable advice and support.
Practice open discussions with a trusted friend, partner, or financial advisor. Whether you’re asking for advice or sharing insights, discussing finances openly and honestly can help you make more informed decisions.
Take Charge of your Financial Well-Being
Financial self-care isn’t something one does; it’s a lifestyle practice toward confidence, freedom, and enjoying the life you deserve. With these strategies, you can begin to address how you neglected your financial well-being and start making easy changes that enhance the quality of your future.
