Bad habits are the opposite of what makes you happy.

We’ve all experienced times when those low prices on things for the house seem too good to be true and who can resist saving that “bargain item” in the back room just because “one of these days” it might get used? Bad habits are so easy to fall into. But in the end, we know they only make us miserable.

Taking Long, Steamy Showers

Spending 20 minutes in the steam may be good for your pores, but it’s also great for mold and mildew. Run the exhaust fan while you’re singing in the shower, squeegee the walls afterward, and scrub that grout every few months.

Keeping Out the Sun

Shutting your shades on winter days might seem smart. More insulation from the chilly weather, right? Your energy bill disagrees. A sunny window can warm your home and lower your heating costs. And as a bonus, you could see a decrease in seasonal depression. But your original idea wasn’t totally wrong. Closing those blinds at night can keep your home toasty.

Compulsively Buying Bargains

Finding a deal feels so good, but cheaper isn’t always better. In fact, budget buys might cost you more in the long run. For instance, dollar paintbrushes will leave annoying streaks, requiring a costly re-do. And when it comes to appliances, permit a little splurge — especially if selling your home is on the horizon.

Running a Half-Full Dishwasher

Your dishwasher wastes water unless it’s completely full. Dishwashers do save more water than washing by hand (just try telling that to your mom), but most machines use the same amount of water regardless of how many plates you’ve stuffed inside, making a half-empty cycle significantly less efficient. For a household of one or two, once a day can be overkill.

Mega-Mulching

Too much mulch suffocates your tree, causing root rot and welcoming invasive insects. Protect your precious trees by packing mulch loosely, letting water filter properly toward the trunk.

Packratting

You know clutter is bad, but you just… can’t… help it. You had to put that unused exercise bike in the spare room instead of by the road as a freebie because what if? Plus, there’s so much in there already, and de-cluttering seems like such an insurmountable goal — even though every jam-packed square foot is space you can’t enjoy. If the task seems impossible, try easing yourself into the habit by tackling smaller projects like cleaning out a drawer or closet.