After Mardi Gras celebrations die down, many around the world vow to relinquish one bad habit for 40 days before Easter.
But instead of giving up old standbys for Lent, such as chocolate or lattes, consider putting a financial spin on your 40-day sacrifice. Kick a bad money habit while you have the support of everyone around you.
"One of the greatest things about Lent as an event is, it's a group of people suffering together," says Peter Fisher, a partner with Human Investing in Lake Oswego, Ore. "I think you could take that same approach to this financial 'Lent.'"
Vowing to stop ignoring your 401(k), giving up your monthly budget for wine or staunchly refusing to put unnecessary items on your credit card could all be worthy money goals during this time.
But before you pick your poison, consider turning your short-term goal into a long-term, healthy habit.
"If you can do something for 40 days, you can most likely keep it ongoing," says Lora Sasiela, financial therapist and owner of the Financially Smitten blog.
Items that can damage your wallet and waist
The booze, cigarettes and fast food aren't doing you any favors. Giving up these bad habits for 40 days could save you money and preserve your health.
If you're a pack-a-day smoker, you'll save at least $238 throughout Lent, as the average price of a pack of cigarettes reached $5.95 in 2011, not including local and sales taxes, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. If you live in an area with high taxes on cigarettes, such as New York City, expect to save closer to $500 over 40 days.
Giving up restaurants and fast food could save an extra car payment. The average consumer spends about $272 over 40 days on eating out, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's 2010 Consumer Expenditures survey.
Beer and wine are an extra $40, according to estimates from the Beer Institute, Wine Institute and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
These vices may be difficult to give up, but remember, it's not forever, Sasiela says. It's important to stay realistic on what you can and want to give up.
"I think it's really important for people to really get clear on what their 'why' is," she says. "I think so often there are 'I should do this' goals, and they may not be aligned with what the person really wants."
Bad credit card and credit report behavior
People use credit cards to create an astonishing amount of debt each year. For households that use cards, the average debt was $15,799 in mid-2011, according to CreditCards.com.
"People will spend this month's lifestyle on next month's 'if-come,'" says Chad Carden, co-author of "Winning the Money Game: A Rulebook to Achieving Financial Success for Young People." "I will buy stuff this month, and I'm banking on that I'm still going to have my job (next month)."
It would take a cardholder about 15 years to pay off $15,799 by making the minimum payments at an 18.9 percent interest rate -- and would ultimately cost about $10,000 in interest.
Skip using that card for unnecessary purchases -- any items you haven't budgeted for -- and pay off the balance each month. You could bypass the cost of interest, or about $70 over 40 days using the previous card balance.
And while you're using your credit card responsibly, start building good credit report habits.