Applying the Science of Behavior Change to Personal Finance

Personal finance is more than just numbers; it’s about building habits and systems that stand the test of time. Sean Young’s Stick with It provides a science-based roadmap for sustaining change through seven psychological forces and the ABCs of behavior change: Anchor, Behavior, and Community. At CedisPay, we’ve drawn inspiration from these principles to help you achieve financial wellbeing.

Here’s how these concepts can transform your approach to money management and how our Financial Wellbeing Budget App supports your journey.

The 7 Forces of Lasting Change in Personal Finance

• Stepladders: Change happens incrementally. Small, manageable steps build confidence and lead to bigger wins.
  • Example: Start saving by putting aside just 2% of your income, then increase it gradually
  • CedisPay Application: Our app guides you through small, actionable steps to create and stick to your budget.
• Community: Being part of a group with shared goals increases accountability and motivation.
  • Example: Join a financial challenge with friends or coworkers
  • CedisPay Application: Participate in app-based challenges like the 30-Day Savings Boost, where you can celebrate milestones with others
• Important: Tie your financial goals to your core values and priorities.
  • Example: If family security matters to you, focus on building an emergency fund
  • CedisPay Application: Use the Financial Wellbeing Calculator to align your budget with your financial goals and values
• Easy: Simplify your financial systems to reduce friction.
  • Example: Automate bill payments and savings transfers to stay consistent
  • CedisPay Application: The app’s intuitive interface and automation features make it easy to track and manage your finances
• Neurohacks: Rewire your mindset with small tweaks to overcome resistance.
  • Example: Instead of saying, “I can’t spend on luxuries,” say, “I choose to invest in my future.”
  • CedisPay Application: Receive motivational insights and tips to reframe your financial decisions positively.
• Captivating: Add an element of fun or reward to make habits stick.
  • Example: Celebrate meeting your savings goals with a non-financial reward, like a day off or a fun activity
  • CedisPay Application: Earn points for completing tasks and milestones, making budgeting engaging and rewarding.
• Engrained: Integrate financial habits into your daily routine until they become second nature.
  • Example: Log your expenses every evening before bed
  • CedisPay Application: Habit trackers and reminders help you build consistency over time

The ABCs of Behavior Change in Finance

• Anchor: Anchor new habits to existing routines for better integration
  • Example: Save the first 10 minutes of your lunch break to review your budget
  • CedisPay Application: Use app alerts to remind you to log financial activity at consistent times
• Behavior: Focus on behaviors that lead to desired outcomes, not just goals.
  • Example: Instead of aiming to “pay off debt,” commit to paying an extra $50 toward your loan every month.
  • CedisPay Application: Set measurable behaviors in your budgeting process, like categorizing expenses weekly.
• Community: Surround yourself with others who support your financial journey.
  • Example: Share your progress with a trusted friend or accountability partner
  • CedisPay Application: Join the CedisPay user community for encouragement and tips

Applying Science to Financial Wellbeing

The science of behavior change shows that small steps, meaningful connections, and well-designed systems can transform how we approach personal finance. At CedisPay, we’ve embedded these principles into our Financial Wellbeing Budget App to help you not only set goals but also stick with them.
• Stepladders: Gradually build financial habits through actionable steps
• Community: Gain motivation and accountability from our user network
• Neurohacks: Stay motivated with insights and rewards

Ready to Stick with It?

By applying the 7 Forces of Lasting Change and the ABCs of Behavior Change, you can take control of your financial future—one step at a time. Download the CedisPay Financial Wellbeing Budget App today and start building habits that last.