Looking to take control of your finances in the new year? Want to learn a few good habits when it comes to taking care of your cash? If so, then it’s time to start setting and achieving new year’s resolutions. Here are a couple of our top financial resolutions that we recommend.
1. Find a financial coach to teach you about money
Most people learn about money through trial and error. If you’ve ever been in serious debt before then you probably know the feeling of hopelessness and falling behind in your payments. It’s never fun to be forced to sell your things or work extra hours due to some financial missteps, and it hurts to encounter financial emergencies that you just weren’t prepared for.
Learning more about money can be really helpful for avoiding these mistakes in the past. Find yourself a financial coach that can teach you about money. Even if you think you won’t learn much, you’ll be surprised at how eye-opening some financial lessons can be. A shift in perspective can really help you see money differently.
2. Start the debt snowball as early as you can
Clearing your debt is one of the most important long-term financial goals that you can set. You’ll feel a joyous sense of freedom once you clear your debts and can finally start using your money for things that are meaningful to you. Sadly, it can be daunting to pay back multiple different debts, but there are strategies to simplify this.
One of the best ways to clear your debt is to use the snowball method. This means paying off the smaller debts first and then building momentum until you’ve paid off the large ones. The purpose of this is to order your debts so you have a better understanding of how much you owe, but it also means building up the motivation and willpower to start beating your financial struggles.
3. Focus on paying yourself first
Saving up money is one of the first yet most important financial tips that we learn. The idea of paying yourself just means setting aside some of your paychecks to store as savings or to pay off debts. Many people receive their paycheck and immediately spend it on luxuries that they could do without.
By building up a habit of “paying yourself” and clearing debts or putting money into savings first, you’ll build up a considerable amount of savings to use in emergencies and start clearing debt almost immediately.
4. Get better at budgeting
If you’ve never budgeted for expenses before then it can be daunting to start. If you’re more thoughtful about your expenses and know how to plan around big costs, then you’ll find it easier to manage larger payments in the future, such as a mortgage or car finance loan.
Here are some tips to help you get better at budgeting:
Know exactly how much you’re making and what you get in your paycheck.
Track all of your expenses so you know where your money is going.
If you’re budgeting for something, make a plan so you know where and when the money
is going.
Be realistic about expenses and don’t cut down on basic necessities.
Review your budget regularly–don’t make it a yearly occurrence!
This isn’t a comprehensive list of tips to help you improve your budgeting muscles, but it can certainly get you started.
5. Learn more about your financial situation so you know where you stand
It’s incredibly important to take a deep dive into your financial situation so that you have a much better understanding of how your investments, savings, and future financial plans are doing. For example, if you’ve recently initiated a 401(k) rollover then you might be curious about how much money you’ve saved for retirement. Similarly, any property or similar assets that you own might be worth less or more than when you purchased it.
The goal here is to get a regular update on what your long-term financial situation looks like. This can help you plan better for the future.
6. Plan ahead so you know where your finances are going
Saving money without a real purpose can eventually become unproductive. Instead of endlessly saving money with no goal in sight, plan ahead with your money so you know where you want to end up. Decide on the type of lifestyle that you want to live, the luxuries you want to have, and the conveniences that you enjoy.
When you start thinking ahead, the acts of saving and spending money start to hold more meaning. It gives every dollar you make or spends a purpose, and you'll have stronger financial clarity that helps to make better decisions now and in the future.
7. Give more generously this year than ever before
There’s a saying that true financial peace doesn’t happen until you can freely give back to others. Many people save up money and hold it close to their chest, always concerned whether it’s good enough or if they need to keep building more wealth. However, there are many cases where people feel liberated and free from their financial worries once they are comfortable (both financially and mentally) in giving generously.
Giving is good not just for the person receiving, but can also be comfortable and uplifting for the person giving. Whether it’s to an important friend, close family member, or even a charity, try to give more this year than you did last year.
8. Surprise someone in need that could really use a hand
Have a friend or family member that’s in serious financial trouble? If they could really use a hand to get out of a dire situation, then why not help? Being in a financially stable situation means that you have the power to give someone a hand and change lives. Making a difference in the world doesn’t need to be on a grand scale–it could be something as simple as helping a friend that has always had your back, or a family member that taught you a lot in the past.
9. Start getting rid of things that you don’t need
Overspending and building up clutter can be a really bad habit. By selling things that you don’t need and doing more research before you buy something, you’ll find that it can be surprisingly easy to start building up your savings and avoid impulse purchases. Make it a habit to sell or get rid of things that you don’t need anymore, and your wallet will thank you.
10. Save more money!
Saving money is surprisingly difficult for some people, especially given how restrictive a budget can feel if you’re depositing most of it into a savings account. However, learning to save more money can help you achieve greater things in the future. Learning to avoid impulse purchases, appreciating the things you buy, and learning to get better deals can all contribute to a healthier financial lifestyle.
We hope that these financial New Year’s resolutions can help you take control of your money next year.