Have you been avoiding managing your finances?<br />If so, you're not alone.<br />According to data from the National Retail Federation, almost half of all consumers in the United States went into debt during last year's holiday shopping season.<br />No one enjoys paying bills.<br />If it feels a bit more difficult for you, check out these helpful ways to quit avoiding your finances: Face Your Fears Directly.<br />Helpful in self-preservation, our brains are inclined to find rewards and to run from anything associated with pain.<br />Experts say it's important to power through the fear of checking your account balance and form new positive banking habits.<br />Watch for Bad Habits.<br />A trigger, an action and a result are the three elements of a habit loop. "It can be as simple as noticing, you know, 'Oh, when I think about money... I go and clean my kitchen.'" Judson Brewer, psychiatrist author, via NPR.<br />Experts say to do your best to avoid falling into bad habits, face your financial fears head-on.<br />Don't Waste Time on Regret.<br />We all stumble sometimes trying to move forward with our finances, but experts say being hyper-critical of yourself <br />can be counterintuitive.<br />Approach yourself with kindness.<br />"These two flavors of awareness – kindness and curiosity – can really help us in all things ...more kindness, more curiosity." Judson Brewer, psychiatrist author, via NPR
