identify any discrepancies and dispute them with your credit card company,” Gong said. “This can save you a lot of money and protect your credit score from unnecessary damage.”
Not keeping your receipts can also make it difficult to track your spending and budget effectively. Without a record of your purchases, you may find it challenging to stay on top of your finances and make informed decisions about your spending habits.
Additionally, keeping your receipts can be helpful for warranty purposes. If you need to return or exchange an item, having the original receipt can make the process much smoother. It can also come in handy if you ever need to prove a purchase for insurance or tax purposes.
To avoid the bad habit of not keeping your receipts, Gong recommends creating a system to organize them. This could be as simple as designating a specific folder or envelope to store your receipts. Alternatively, you could utilize digital tools such as expense-tracking apps or scanning your receipts to keep a digital record.
7. Ignoring your credit card statements
Another bad habit that can harm your credit score is ignoring your credit card statements. It’s essential to review your statements regularly to ensure accuracy and identify any fraudulent charges or errors.
“The most dangerous habit that people can have is ignoring their credit card statements,” said Brian Walsh, a certified financial planner at SoFi. “This can lead to missed payments, late fees, and damage to your credit score.”
By not reviewing your statements, you may overlook charges that you didn’t authorize or realize that you’ve been charged twice for the same purchase. If you fail to dispute these errors promptly, they can impact your credit score and financial well-being.
To break this bad habit, make it a priority to review your credit card statements as soon as they become available. Take the time to carefully go through each transaction and ensure that you recognize and approve of all charges. If you notice any discrepancies, contact your credit card company immediately to rectify the situation.
If you find it challenging to keep up with reviewing your statements, consider setting up automatic reminders or alerts on your phone or email. This can serve as a helpful prompt to remind you to review your statements and stay on top of your financial obligations.
Conclusion
Breaking bad habits requires discipline, self-awareness, and a willingness to change. When it comes to credit card habits, recognizing and addressing the damaging ones can have a significant impact on your financial well-being.
By paying at least the minimum balance, avoiding carrying a balance for the sake of building credit, paying bills on time, being mindful of emotional spending, being cautious about opening and closing multiple cards, and keeping track of receipts and reviewing statements, you can take control of your credit card habits and improve your credit score.
Remember, breaking bad habits takes time and effort, but the long-term benefits of financial stability and improved credit are well worth it. With the right advice and willpower, you can dig yourself out of bad credit habits and pave the way to a brighter financial future.