5 ways to make your financial New Year’s resolutions stick

After the year that 2020 has been, there’s no doubt that most of us are ready to ring in a new year! For many of us, that means setting goals and resolutions in an effort to become better versions of ourselves. For some of us, that means getting in better shape, eating healthier, spending more time with family, and for many people, our New Year’s resolution often revolves around financial goals.

Setting solid financial goals, and ultimately achieving them, is vital to living the kind of life you’ve envisioned for yourself and your family. Everyone’s vision is different, but no matter what your vision looks like, setting goals is the first crucial step in obtaining your goals—whether it’s for a New Year’s resolution or just a general goal. Setting financial goals forces us to think beyond the day-to-day activities of life and look at the big picture.” Use this five-step guide to help you make and stick to your financial New Year’s resolutions:

1. Set SMART Goals

One of the most basic ways to help you reach your goals is to ensure they are SMART. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. For example, a SMART goal would be something like: “By December 31, 2021, I will save $2,000 to put toward a down payment on a home by saving an additional $166 per month.”

 

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