ADDICTIONS ARE ONLY BAD HABITS

WOULDN'T LIFE BE EASY IF WE COULD JUST TURN ON AND OFF all the bad habits we learn in our life time? What really seems silly is that it's probably that easy, because we do tend to learn by training ourselves. So goes with our money. Managing shouldn't be for select people, anyone with right training should be able to accomplish working with our own money. But, you have really got to want to and then be committed. This is probably true for any choices we make in life. Keeping a cool head and a good sense of humor should help, and try not to panic. Most bad habits seem to start from the panic mode. For instance, say your car breaks down and it happens right when you need to send your rent and there's not a cent left to do both. O.k., then you know you need the vehicle, but won't have the money for the rent till you have a late payment added on. Stress!! Trying to work this out begins the habit and what you do next. Because once you do figure out a way to handle this, that's probably the way you will always fix it cause it worked. If you train yourself to save, this could be a rewarding habit and cause less panic. All sounds easy, but like anything, it has to be worked at and remember to keep a good sense of humor. So setting up automatic transfer of funds from your checking to your savings will eliminate some of the work. I always try to take the route that requires less work. Now this habit can also become an addiction, so use caution, you don't want to become a tight-wad.
TRAINING YOURSELF TO DO THINGS THE EASY WAY with less work involved, might help keep the habit from becoming an addiction. Maybe even changing things around as to how you work at them may help. Oops, there's that word change. You may not like to change things, especially often, but then there's the challenge. Keep it simple and it should result in less work.
WATCHING WHAT YOU SPEND can become a habit, just as spending all the time can become a habit. Making a list of what you need to buy is a simple way to train yourself on shopping. Keeping a price in mind as to what amount you can spend will also help. Try leaving your money and credit card at home and just window shop. You can make a list of items you might need and their cost for future shopping. It's all about what you learn to think about your managing of your money.
HERE COMES YOUR BROTHER WHO NEEDS TO BORROW MONEY and believe me, he knows you have it. Don't think he hasn't been watching, but you're even less work to hit on and he has already developed his habits of managing his money. This is again another place to have a good sense of humor. Lend him money only once with stipulations he HAS to pay it back. And let him know it won't happen again until he does pay it back. You are now training him on a habit of borrowing. See how this all helps others as well as ourselves? But you really are training yourself to manage your money and making a habit to do it. Hang tough and smile.