How to Quit 10 Bad Money Habits That Rob You Blind

Carrying a credit card balance

Carrying a balance on a credit card is like walking down the street with a hole in your wallet and letting money leak out.

Here’s why: Suppose you are paying down a $5,000 balance on a card charging 15 percent interest. If you only pay the minimum amount each month, it’ll take decades to pay off the debt and cost you thousands of dollars in interest.

Build a better habit: Devote every spare penny to getting rid of credit card debt. If you have other pressing debts, make a plan for dealing with all of them. Keep the balance from building again by making a new habit of paying off the entire bill every month — no exceptions ever.