1. Retail pay Happy sale coat buyerAlliance Images/Shutterstock.com Why accept the initial price? Budget-conscious people use Capital One Shopping and Honey applications and browser extensions.
2. Ignore cash back Disregard cash back happy dude on phoneProstock-studio/Shutterstock.com Cash-back credit cards and Rakuten might save you a lot on necessities.
3. Have credit card debt A widespread myth is that credit card balances increase credit scores. Not. Does. Credit bureau Experian says.
4. Neglect their health Patient faces doctor with smileMonkey Business photos from Shutterstock.com Would you ignore that ominous sound under the hood or take it to a mechanic?
5. Use their entire paycheck Live below your means, not above them. Completely spending your income equals no savings. How will you pay for the next emergency, let alone save? Discuss your zero-sum game.
6. Buy now, pay later BNPL services let you pay for a product in numerous installments. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says four interest-free biweekly payments are typical.
7. Throw away food Food waste is never good. Under inflation, food waste is much dumber. See: How to maximize your dollar and minimize waste.
8. Late debt payment Payment of bills on time is the major element in credit scores. If a bill is late more than 30 days, your score drops. A few-day late bill won't hurt your score, but you'll incur a late fee.