Bad habits have the power to burn holes in your wallet. If a sense of obligation to correct your bad behavior isn’t pushing you to improve your lifestyle, use money as your primary motivator. Break the right ones, and you’ll give the household budget a boost:
Eating Healthier
One of the ways that eating healthier can save you money is cutting out prepackaged and processed foods in favor of ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Items like microwavable dinners cost more per serving because they are pre-portioned and partially cooked. You are paying extra for the convenience and the branding. On the other hand, good cooking tools can minimize your cost.
The habit will also limit your costs on fast-food and take-out. A survey by Home Chef found that the average respondent spent almost $100 on take-out per month and approximately $1,175 per year. That yearly cost will be even higher when you’re paying for an entire household.
Some people will defend their spending on fast food because they can get a burger combo for $5. The initial cost appears cheaper than a home cooked meal, but recipe ingredients can be stretched to feed a family and provide leftovers for the rest of the week. In addition, a healthy diet can help you avoid long-term medical costs related to chronic problems like Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Getting Enough Sleep
It seems normal to stay up until midnight and then wake up early to squeeze in a quick jog or prepare the kids’ lunches before they head to school. Sadly, getting only 5 or 6 hours of sleep is not great for your health or your finances. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults between the ages of 26 and 64 need 7 to 9 hours of sleep every single night.
If you only get fewer than 6 hours of rest every night, you suffer from sleep deprivation. According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you’re not alone in this case — 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis.
One of the ways that getting more sleep improves your finances is that you have better immunity and physical health, so you will have to pay for fewer sick days, doctor visits, and medications. Getting your essential hours also makes you more productive at work, pushing you to reach financial goals like pay raises and job promotions.
Brushing And Flossing
The costs of not flossing on a daily basis don’t just affect your teeth — they put massive holes in your bank accounts. The average root canal caused by tooth decay will cost you a whopping $1500 for a front tooth, and it will be even pricier for bicuspids or molars. Here are some other examples of expensive dental work that will scare you into flossing with enthusiasm:
- Dental crowns are $500-$1500
- Cavity fillings are $50-$450
- Tooth extractions are $75-$650
Why should you boost your budget?
Cutting costs will give your budget a little more wiggle room so that you’re not scraping by from paycheck to paycheck. Having some extra savings set aside can be a relief when a small financial issue pops up. Whether it’s a minor repair or a higher-than-expected bill, you’ll be thankful that you have the funds to get it dealt with right away.
If you don’t have enough savings, you can check in with an online lender like MoneyKey to apply for a loan. Since you send your information online, the process is straightforward and the response time is fast — you’ll have the money you need in your account as soon as possible. You don’t have to set foot in a bank branch when you fill out this simple application online.
They also post plenty of budgeting and saving advice, so that you can skip the need for loans altogether. If you aren’t sure where to turn for financial help this year or how you can make quick improvements to your household budget, you should go to their website.
Eating healthy food, getting enough sleep and taking care of your teeth are important habits that you should follow for the sake of your well-being. When health is not enough of a motivator to commit to these good habits, just remember how much money they are saving you in the long run.
