Summary of this article
Overspending on seasonal shopping and impulse buys strain monthly household budgets.
Heavy credit card reliance and non-essential loans lead to debt accumulation.
Neglecting hallmarking, small expenses, emergency funds, and research creates financial risks.
Dussehra symbolises the victory of good over evil. We can look at our money habits in a similar way, as in putting a curb on our tendency to overspend on our gratification and putting it to good use instead. Sometimes, small decisions about spending or saving can leave a big impact on our finances.
This Dussehra, here are 10 financial mistakes worth leaving behind.
1. Overspending On Shopping
When we go out shopping, we often tend to pick up a few extra things along the way. Clothes, gifts and other purchases can end up costing more than what we had originally planned for. The problem occurs when we overspend on shopping to the extent that there is so little left for our other monthly expenses.
2. Making Impulse Purchases
Sometimes we buy something simply because we like it. We may not have planned to buy it at all, but the offer makes us impulsive buyers. Buying things this way repeatedly can add to our overall spending without us even realising it.
3. Relying Too Much On Credit Cards
Paying by credit card can make a purchase seem easier because the money does not leave our bank account straight away. But the bill still has to be paid. If we keep spending without checking what we owe, we may struggle to clear the full bill, and end up paying interest.
4. Taking Loans For Non-Essential Purchases
Buying a new phone, expensive clothes or other things on loan may seem like an easy option. But the monthly payments do not stop after we bring the product home. If too much of our income goes towards these payments then managing other expenses can become difficult.
5. Ignoring Small Expenses
Small expenses are easy to ignore because they don’t cost much. We may order food, pay for subscriptions, or buy a few things online. But when these expenses become regular, they can take up a bigger part of our monthly budget, leaving us with less money for other needs.
6. Using Emergency Savings For Shopping
We may have saved some money for an emergency but feel like using it when you want to buy something. The trouble is, we cannot always predict when we will need that money. Spending it on shopping could leave us short when an unexpected bill comes up.
7. Falling For Fake Discounts And Deals
A huge discount or a deal that is available for a short time can make us spend on it quickly but not every offer online is genuinely good. Some websites and sellers can be fake and we could lose our money if we do not check before making a payment.
8. Ignoring Gold Jewellery Charges
When buying gold jewellery, checking the price is not enough. The hallmark helps verify the purity of the gold. If we do not check it before buying, we might not know whether the jewellery meets the purity claimed by the seller. So, one should always check the hallmark details before making a purchase.
9. Delaying Savings
You may think you will start saving next month after paying your bills or finishing your shopping. But when the next month arrives, you may end up making some other expenses. If you keep putting it off, you may find it difficult to build savings for future needs.
10. Investing Without Research
You may hear about a stock or investment from a friend or see someone talking about it online. That does not mean it will work for you. If you put your money into something without knowing how it works and what risks are involved, it could lead to losses.
