When it comes to making better choices about our health, the rules are pretty simple—eat better, move more. It's simple, but it isn't easy.

Many people who find success with their personal health attribute it to establishing a doable routine. They don't abide by stringent rules, deprivation diets, and unsustainable exercise regimens. Instead, they make small changes to their lifestyle habits that add up to improved health over time.

You can apply the same approach to your financial life as well. Healthy and wealthy work well together. By putting in the work now to reach a state of financial control, you can achieve happiness in the long-run.

These five healthy habits for your finances will help you get started.

1. Pay yourself first.

If you're serious about saving, you need to make a commitment to yourself.

For many of us, the easiest way to save is to never let the money touch your hands in the first place. By "paying yourself" through a 401(k) or other retirement savings plan, your contribution is deducted directly from your paycheck. Even the most dedicated savers might have a hard time writing themselves a check each month, so it's best to automate!

You should also consider increasing your savings with every raise you earn. As you progress throughout your career, you may find your total compensation rises. By increasing the amount you save, both within and outside of employer-sponsored retirement accounts, you can keep lifestyle inflation in check while boosting your overall savings.

Schedule time with a Wealth Enhancement Group financial advisor to optimize your retirement plan.

2. Keep what you can.

It's not about what you make… it's what you keep that really matters. This mindset applies to savings as well as taxes:

• Keep your expectations in check. We’ve seen clients who make $30,000 a year retire as millionaires because they were diligent savers, and we’ve seen the opposite. Planning ahead can make all the difference.
• Keep your tax strategy up to date. By investing with a tax-savvy strategy, you can optimize how much tax you pay over the lifetime of your investment accounts.
• Whether you're saving money from taxation or saving money for yourself, working with an advisor to create a clear plan can help you develop your financial outlook.

3. Live modestly.

Being frugal means being very considerate with your money. But no matter how frugal you are, you're going to have to spend at some point. You can't save everything, so it's worth deciding what to spend it on. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Reevaluate your expenses annually. Make it a habit to review your expenses once per year, everything from your house or car payments to your streaming subscriptions. By tallying up how much you actually spend on these (including ancillary costs), you can see if there are more cost-effective options available without sacrificing your quality of life.
  • To take a deeper dive into your finances, complete our Financial Security Checklist
  • And if you need help with budgeting, try our ABC Budget and Budgeting Worksheet
• Determine what makes you tick. Some of us get great enjoyment from driving expensive cars or wearing trendy clothes. Others invest in hobbies or eat at fancy restaurants. There's no issue with spending money on what you love, but be sure to use budgeting tools so you don't overspend.
• Embrace DIY. Over the past decade, the "do it yourself" movement has taken the US by storm. You can spend less, reduce waste, and have fun by "doing it yourself" for reasonable home repairs, décor, and more. DIY can help you develop new skills, gain confidence, and potentially save money.

4. Work hard.

While work isn't everyone's number one priority, creating value for others is a major part of living a wealthier life. Whether you're employed through traditional means or carving a path for yourself, diligent work allows for greater opportunities ahead.

Whatever path you choose, be sure to take advantage of what it offers you. For instance, full-time employment often comes with 401(k) matches, health insurance, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), or even equity in your company. If you aren't leveraging these benefits, you're leaving money on the table.

On the other hand, nontraditional career paths have different needs and benefits. By understanding your needs, maximizing the strategies available to you, and planning smart for the future, you can make the most of what your career has to offer. Hard work pays off!

5. Invest in yourself.

These days, cultivating your interests means more than just practicing a hobby. With the rise of internet-based commerce, democratized publishing platforms, and vanishing barriers to entry, any individual can turn their interests into income.

Investing in personal and professional development can pay huge dividends down the road. Courses, workshops, and certifications can increase your employability and earning potential, in both the short-run and the long-run.

Finally, consider investing in those who matter most to you. Human relationships are one of the most fulfilling and rewarding aspects of life. By supporting and enabling those around you, you can unlock potential beyond yourself.

Build Your Foundation

These five habits can provide a strong foundation for your success. But don’t get caught thinking they’re easy. True financial health means working through challenges and staying true to your core values, day in and day out.

By consistently reminding yourself about what's most important to you, it may be easier to incorporate these habits into your everyday life. It’s been said that it takes weeks of daily routine for something to become a habit, but only days to break it.

If you're ready to develop healthier financial habits and unlock your potential, reach out to a Wealth Enhancement Group financial advisor for a free, no-obligation meeting. We've been guiding clients towards financial security for decades, and we'd be happy to help you embark on your own journey.