Learn what money habits are draining your bank account.
You might be aware of expensive habits, but are you aware of the small ways you are neglecting your finances? Minor spending here and there could be preventing you from reaching financial goals, or even worse, causing you to accumulate debt. Here are some bad money habits to avoid.
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You are addicted to an app that costs you money.
That game you love to play could be putting a dent in your wallet. Many games are free to download but will charge you fees to “level up.” Those $1.99 charges here and there for extra lives or “coins” can add up over time. If an app you love charges a monthly fee, look for alternative apps in your phone’s app store that provide similar functionality or tools for free.
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You order drinks when you go out.
It’s no secret that you could be saving money by dining in, yet many people can’t give it up. You can reduce the impact eating out has on your wallet by not ordering drinks. Alcoholic drinks are often marked up at restaurants, so enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail when you’re back home. While alcoholic drinks tend to be marked up the most at restaurants, other drinks are marked up as well. You can make iced tea at home for a few cents per glass, but it could cost you up to $4 at a restaurant.
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You are leasing instead of buying a used car.
If you go from one lease to another, you’re spending money you could be investing. There are some benefits to leasing a car. Many expensive car parts don’t need to be replaced within the first few years of owning a car, as long as they are maintained properly. By leasing, you shouldn’t have to worry about paying to replace the engine or other expensive parts. One of the most common reasons to lease a car is to get a new model every few years and enjoy new technology or features. Unfortunately, according to a cost-comparison report by Edmunds, “The out-of-pocket cost of buying a used car is $5,547 cheaper than leasing and $8,131 cheaper than buying a new car. We have also excluded any repair costs for the used car.”
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You are allowing your account to be overdrawn.
Banks are notorious for charging expensive overdraft fees. The worse part about overdraft fees is that they are charged per transaction once your balance is $0 or less. A few small charges could cost you over a $100 in overdraft fees depending on what your bank charges for overdrafting. Overdraft fees average around $34 for banks, according to CreditKarma.com. If you need quick cash to cover unexpected expenses, visit Uprova.com for a personal loan. You can request a loan between $300 to $5,000, and if approved, receive the funds in as soon as one business day.
Summary
Don’t let bad money habits keep you from reaching your financial goals. Check up on how much you are spending on apps. Look for free apps that provide the same function or tools. If you can’t give up dining out, skip the drinks to save coin. While going from one new car to another is fun, it can cost you over time. Invest your cash in a used car that holds its resale value well instead. Don’t let your bank account fall below zero and overdraft. Debt relief options are available! If you need quick cash, get fast funding from Uprova.com.