35 Signs You Are Better With Money Than You Think You Are

You don’t have to be a financial genius to be good with money. In fact, most people who are good with money aren’t geniuses at all. They’ve just learned a few simple money management skills that anyone can learn.

If you’re not sure whether or not you’re good with money, here are 35 signs that suggest you might be better with money than you think:

1. You always pay your bills on time.

2. You rarely carry a balance on your credit cards.

3. You have an emergency fund that covers at least 3-6 months of living expenses.

4. You invest regularly in a 401k or other retirement account.

5. You have a budget and stick to it.

6. You’re not afraid to talk about money with your partner or family.

7. You’re good at negotiating prices.

8. You know how to shop for deals and discounts.

9. You only buy what you can afford.

10. You don’t impulse buy or make impulsive decisions with money.

11. You have a clear understanding of your financial goals and are working towards them consistently.

12. You don’t allow yourself to be swayed by marketing or peer pressure when it comes to spending money.

13. You understand the importance of living below your means and spending less than you make.

14. You know how to invest your money and understand the risk involved.

15. You’re able to delay instant gratification in order to achieve greater long-term rewards with your money.

16. You’re willing to change habits that are holding you back from financial success, like excessive spending or not saving enough.

17. You have at least one savings account where you regularly save for short-term goals, such as a vacation or home repair expenses.

18. You don’t rely on credit cards for things like gas and groceries and only use them for big ticket items or emergencies that can’t be avoided with cash alone (if possible).

19. When it comes to debt, you’re more focused on paying it off than accumulating more of it.

20. You don’t mind doing your own research when it comes to financial planning and decision making.

21. You understand that there’s no such thing as a free lunch and are careful not to fall for get-rich-quick schemes or other scams.

22. You have insurance coverage for the things that are most important to you, like your health, home, and car.

23. You know how to cook meals at home and eat out less often in order to save money.

24. You take advantage of employee benefits, like a 401k match or healthcare savings plan.

25. You use coupons and discounts whenever possible.

26. You save for the things you want rather than spending all your money as soon as you get it.

27. You choose investments that align with your financial goals, temperament, and risk tolerance.

28. You think seasonally when buying clothing and other items to get the best deals throughout the year.

29. You educate yourself on issues like inflation, compound interest, and how credit scores work so you can improve them if necessary.

30. You have a savings account or investment account earmarked specifically for retirement planning or other long-term goals (and are saving regularly).

31. You try to spend less each month than what you earn in order to put money away into savings or investments.

32. You’re good at negotiating deals on the things you buy, whether it’s a better rate on your car insurance policy or a discount when buying an item in person or online.

33. You know how to find and use tax deductions to lower your tax bill (or pay less in taxes if you’re self-employed).

34. You teach your kids about money and encourage them to be financially responsible so they grow up to be good with money too.

35. You make smart financial decisions every day, even on small scale purchases like coffee and snacks, that ultimately add up over time to significant savings over the long haul.

If several of these sound familiar to you, congratulations! You’re doing something right when it comes to your finances.

However, you can always do better and there’s always room for improvement – no matter how good you are with money already. Keep working hard at being financially responsible in every area of your life and eventually you’ll reap the rewards of that good behavior.