Dr. Gina Cleo – Director of Habit Change Institute – provides her tips and tricks on habit change to achieve a sense of financial wellbeing:
- Automate your bills and savings -Set up default systems so you’re not depending on your willpower. For example, set up an automatic transfer that scoops money into a savings account every time you get paid. In the same way, set automatic payments for your regular bills. More automation means less brain space required.
- Ensure you always check your balance -Seventy percent of Millennials say that being on top of their finances makes them feel most accomplished, this includes knowing how much money is in their bank account. Create a habit of checking your bank balance twice a week. Habits are formed best when you do them at the same time of day (e.g., 7pm). To help you get started, use a recurring alarm as a reminder. With time and consistency, checking your bank balance will become an automatic habit.
- Keep a diary/ record your spending – Keeping a diary will help keep you on track and better manage your finances. A banking app such as Bill Sense in the CommBank app is really handy, as it helps you to predict upcoming bills, enabling you stick to your budget and stay on top of your finances without any surprises!
- Keep your focus on consistency – Strike a balance with your savings by putting away realistic amounts of money each week. Trying to save too much and not enjoying life could result in you falling off the wagon and abandoning your financial goals altogether. Start small, there’s no need to cut out all of life’s pleasures.
