10 Habits of the Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise
1. Save – Saving more than you spend is a key concept to accumulating wealth. The extra money saved can then be invested to grow and compound over the years. Given enough time, your investment earnings may one day actually exceed the money you are saving!
2. Build a Reserve – Establishing a cash reserve or long term savings account can give you the security you need in the event of an emergency. Having liquid funds available may allow you to weather the storm without having to deplete other investments that are subject to market conditions.
3. Organize Spending – Creating separate bank accounts for your personal spending, household bills, and long term savings can go a long way towards balancing your budget. Start by funding your household checking with enough money to pay your monthly bills. Next, create a dedicated savings account funded based on a percentage of your income, say five or ten percent. The remaining money should be deposited into your personal checking and can be used for whatever you desire.
4. Buy Used Things – No one thinks twice about buying a “used” home; however, when it comes to buying a car, furniture, or children’s toy, the concept suddenly becomes taboo. Before making your next large purchase consider what alternatives exist in the secondary market. You may walk away with a lot more than you think along with some extra change in your pocket.
5. Don’t Procrastinate – Not paying your bills on time can lead to late fees and interest penalties. Over time these can accumulate to the point where the majority of your payment is going towards interest and penalties rather than paying down principal. Avoid getting stuck in this rut by paying your bills on time and in full.
6. Ditch Bad Habits – Daily stops for coffee and weekday lunches out with your colleagues can accumulate into some serious spending over time. Drinking your employer provided coffee and bringing last night’s leftover dinner for lunch are easy alternatives to help curb those bad habits. Don’t be afraid of treating yourself to the occasional iced coffee or Friday lunch to celebrate your accomplishments.
7. Know Your Limits – Most investors lose money because they overestimate their risk tolerance. When the market goes down they panic, sell their holdings, and suffer catastrophic losses. Choosing a more conservative portfolio and staying the course will get you far ahead of the typical investor who changes direction based on current market conditions.
8. Eat Healthy – Small changes can make a big difference in your overall health. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks is a great way to cut calories and reduce your sugar intake. Adding color to your meal is an easy way to improve your plate appearance and get more essential vitamins, minerals, and fibers into your body. Choose red, orange, and dark green fruits and vegetables when preparing dishes.
9. Exercise – Heart disease has risen to become the leading cause of death in the United States. Regular exercise can help combat disease and prevent a wide range of health problems. Not to mention, exercise and physical activity can also help you to maintain weight loss, improve your mood, boost your energy, and promote better sleep.
10. Wear Your Seat Belt – Each year about 33,000 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes. Tragically many of these fatalities could have been prevented. Seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in motor vehicle crashes. Make sure that you and your passengers buckle up every time you get into a vehicle no matter how short the trip.