“Have you brushed your teeth?”

As kids we were asked this at least twice a day. Sometimes more.

Maybe we tried to avoid the question, or offer an excuse, hoping to avoid it a moment longer. 

But our parents knew better. They knew how important good habits are—not just for dental hygiene, but for long-term health and financial savings. Over time, brushing your teeth shifted from a conscious effort to something automatic.

We are all full of habits, both good and bad; some are conscious, others are unconscious. 

The question is, have you ever taken an inventory of your habits? Do you know how they impact your goals and dreams? 

If you’re like most of us, you probably don’t pay much attention to this. We go day by day, letting habits dictate our schedules. But how much do we value our lives if we allow this to happen? 

The good news is that it’s never too late to change. All it takes is the desire to take control and let good habits overshadow the bad ones.

What is a habit?

A habit is something as simple as getting up in the morning and immediately making your bed, or enjoying your morning coffee in your favourite mug at the same time every day. It could be greeting your neighbour who always sits on their porch or walking your dog twice a day.

Even seemingly insignificant actions like turning off the light when you leave a room, or checking your pockets to ensure you have your keys.

These are habits that are part of our daily routines, actions that initially required effort but have now become automatic.

But what about more significant habits, like studying during our school or university days? For many, studying became a fundamental habit, while for others, it perhaps never really took hold.

Just as reading a book requires starting with one page a day, building a habit takes time and consistency. The key here is that a habit can be built, but it requires commitment and consistency.

Financial habits

Let’s now focus on financial habits. Good financial habits are essential for feeling in control, planning ahead, and achieving your goals.

Think again about being a kid, saving every penny to buy that toy you wanted so badly, or as teenagers, saving up to impress someone special or even buy our first car.

The essence of building a financial habit is the same:

• 1. Set clear financial goals: Define what you want to achieve
• 2. Plan your finances: Decide how much of your income you can use to achieve these goals in a specific timeframe
• 3. Set a timeline:  Determine when you want to reach this financial goal
• 4. Create an action calendar: Set dates and times to complete the necessary transactions to meet your goals

Most importantly, stick to your financial plan without excuses.

This approach can be applied to any area of your life, with adjustments as necessary. Over time, this behaviour will become a habit—a good habit that will help you achieve your financial goals.

Investment habits

Now, let’s talk about investment habits.

You might think, “That’s not for me,” but investing is more accessible than ever, and easy to learn about. We can all improve our finances, no matter how much we have.

But why invest?

The reasons could be as ambitious as buying your dream home or ensuring a worry-free retirement, or as simple as upgrading a piece of technology or taking that long-awaited trip.

How do you start, and with how much? That’s up to you – 100€, 10€, 5€, even 1€ can make a difference. The key is **Consistency**.

Imagine deciding to save 10€ every day. At the end of the year, you’ll have 3,650€. In 10 years, you’ll have 36,500€, and in 30 years? 

Now, imagine if you find a way to make those savings grow even more. There are lots of options, some riskier than others, but all within reach. You should adapt your investment goals to your circumstances, but most importantly – start.

Over time, like saving, it will become a habit. And what once seemed complex and unlikely will become a part of your daily life, resulting in greater financial stability and the satisfaction of knowing you are in control.

Final thoughts

Building an investment habit is one of the best decisions you can make to secure your financial future. 

Like any other habit, it requires time, commitment, and consistency, but the long-term benefits are immense.

It doesn’t matter if you start small; what matters is starting and being consistent. Every small effort counts, and over time, what once seemed like a challenge will become a natural part of your life.

And if you want to start today, you can sign up for SmartSaver and earn as well as save, from as little as 10€.

Start building the habits today that will lead you to financial success tomorrow!

The information presented in this blog post is valid as of the time it is published. The content is intended to provide information only and is not meant and should not be considered as financial or investment advice of any kind.