Travis L Wright

Managing money isn’t always intuitive. Most of us aren’t taught practical financial skills in school, and by the time we realize what we don’t know, we’ve already made a few costly missteps. Over the years as a financial advisor, I’ve worked with people from all walks of life – entrepreneurs, working professionals, retirees – and I’ve noticed that most money mistakes are surprisingly common. Here are some of the biggest financial pitfalls I see regularly – and more importantly, how to avoid them. Living Beyond Your Means This one’s obvious, but it still tops the list. Spending more than you earn is a slippery slope that leads to debt, stress, and long-term instability. Many people finance lifestyles they can’t actually afford in an effort to keep up appearances or chase short-term comfort. How to avoid it: Track your expenses. Know what’s coming in and what’s going out. Build a monthly budget and stick to it. Delay major purchases until you can truly afford them. Financial peace often ...