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What mistakes am I making with my money?

Make sure you're avoiding these pitfalls to create better financial habits.

INTERVIEWER: Everybody wants to have extra cash at the end of the month, even better if there's enough to add to your savings or to put toward retirement. But in reality, that doesn't always happen. Here are six common money mistakes you can avoid to create better money habits. 


Mistake number two, buying coffee every morning and eating out too often. We all have our favorite places to eat. But if you make coffee at home and eat in more often than not, you can easily save a few hundred dollars a month just by living within your means. 

Mistake number three, treating your credit card like another source of income. Sure, it seems like charging one tank of gas isn't a big deal. But small things add up quickly when you don't pay off your balance every month. 

Mistake number four, having zero financial goals. Yes, it's important to cultivate friendships, have fun, and to travel. But think beyond this year. Set some long-term goals, and stick to them so you can enjoy what's ahead. 



So avoid these mistakes. Create good money habits now, and you'll increase your quality of life today and tomorrow. 


Should I pay my debts or save for retirement?

By weighing the benefits of each with your personal situation, you can make smart decisions with your money.

[MUSIC PLAYING] So you just landed a job with a retirement savings plan. Everyone older than you was saying, whatever you do, save for retirement. But you have financial burdens facing you right now. So what are you going to do?

First off, you need to be a good judge of where you are financially before you can take a step in the right direction. Here are the main things to consider as you weigh your decision.

One-- your company match for retirement savings. Most companies have a 401(k) matching plan up to a certain percentage. For example, if you put in 5%, they'll put in 5%. That's like getting a 5% raise just for doing what you're already doing. I

f your company does this, find out what your paycheck would look like if you saved the maximum amount for the company match. Remember that your 401(k) contributions are not taxed until you withdraw that money at retirement. If there's any way that you can afford to do this, you really might want to think about it.

Two-- your debt situation. If your debt situation is truly out of control, then you'll want to take care of it right away. Create a small emergency fund to absorb unexpected costs that you normally cover by taking on even more debt. Try $500, $1,000, or the amount of one of your new paychecks. Then pay off your highest-interest debts.

Most likely, your credit card is the monster on the loose. One way to tame your credit card is by consolidating your debts. This can give you one low interest rate, and you'll have a manageable, long-term plan to eliminate your debt.

Then you should literally leave your credit card at home. This will keep you from swiping it for everyday expenses-- one of the main reasons that debt piles up.

So here's the bottom line-- save for retirement if you can. In fact, you might want to consider retirement savings and essential part of your budget, just like your gas and your groceries. Why? Here's a quick comparison to show you the benefits over time.

What happens to a $5,000 credit card balance? With a 15% interest rate, a monthly payment of $83 will take you about 10 years to pay off. What happens to $5,000 invested in a retirement account? With a 6% return, leave it alone for 10 years, and it'll turn into about $9,000.

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