Bruce Sellery's Top 3 habits for financial well-being

Make consistency the key to long-term stability.

Most people think money is about big milestones like buying a home or paying off debt. But real progress comes from small actions you repeat every day: your habits.

The routines you follow, often without thinking, shape your finances. Some habits help, such as checking your bank balance before spending. But others can hold you back, like tapping your card to spend without thinking.

If things aren’t working, it’s not because you’re bad with money. Your habits might just need resetting. Here are my top 3 habits that you can implement today, to improve your financial well-being.

Habit #1: Live Within Your Means

Spending less than you earn is one of the best things for your financial well-being. It sounds simple, but it can be tough – especially as the cost of living has gone through the roof, or if you’re prone to impulse spending.

If you sometimes struggle to tell if you are “living within your means”, then one easy indication is if you carry high interest debt from month to month. If you find it hard to pay off your debt in full, you are likely not following this habit.

Start by defining what “living within your means” looks like based on your income – whatever your take-home pay is per month is the total amount you have for both spending and saving. From there, develop a spending plan that is sustainable over time. Use a phone alert or a sticky note as a daily reminder to check in on your plan. This habit takes practice, but it’s the foundation for long-term stability.

Habit #2: Set Financial Goals

This habit is about thinking ahead. “Present You” might want take-out for dinner or new clothes, but “Future You” wants to be debt-free, build savings, or invest for retirement. Setting one short-term and one long-term goal helps you balance both.

A short-term goal could be paying off a high interest debt or building an emergency fund. Long-term, it might be a down payment on a home or regular retirement contributions. Write your goals down and keep them visible – on your fridge, mirror, or phone. Set calendar reminders to track progress and celebrate milestones to stay motivated. Clear goals keep your daily choices aligned with the future you're working toward.

Habit #3: Talk About Money

Let’s stop treating money like it's shameful or a secret. Money can feel like a taboo topic, but making it part of your regular conversations can actually reduce stress and help you stay accountable. This doesn’t mean revealing your net worth or every line of your budget. It’s about talking openly with someone you trust about your financial goals, plans, and challenges.

Try scheduling a monthly check-in with your partner, a friend, a family member, or even a professionally certified and non-profit credit counsellor. Talking about money doesn’t just help you stick to your goals, it also builds confidence in the decisions you're making.

Bonus Habit: Financial Education!

There are thousands of financial education resources out there, and just as many opinions. One expert says one thing, an influencer says the opposite. It can be confusing and overwhelming to know who to trust and where to start.

Here’s my advice: start with a source that’s credible, clear, and designed to help you make real progress. Capital One Canada’s Learning Hub on Life and Credit is a fantastic, step-by-step guide to help you build your credit and improve your financial well-being.

If you’re on a credit-building journey and feeling a little overwhelmed, the Learning Hub is a great place to start.

Small Habits, Big Impact

The most effective financial changes usually start small. Pick one habit and start today. With time and consistency, these small daily actions will create lasting financial change.

Need more support? Apply to join Credit Canada GOLD, a hands-on financial coaching program supported by Capital One Canada that empowers you to make immediate, sustainable, long-term changes to get out of debt for good.