Make THIS Your Year

Spend less, save more, pay down debt — how can you make this the NEW YEAR you actually stick to these and other financial resolutions?

To help answer that, we’ve compiled a list of tips.

Set measurable goals!

Don’t just resolve to be better with money this year. Set realistic, measurable goals to help you stay on track and ensure you’re actually making progress. To make it easier, keep those goals SMART:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-based

Spend mindfully

Creating a budget can take some time and lots of number crunching, but the real challenge of financial wellness is actually sticking to that budget. And one reason many people don’t keep to their budget is because they spend money without consciously thinking.

Resolve to be more mindful about your spending, which means actually thinking about what you’re doing when you pay for a purchase of any kind. You can accomplish this by taking a moment to think about what you’re buying and how much you’re paying for it. Gain a little more awareness about your spending by staying off your phone while completing in-store transactions.

Partner up with a friend

It’s basic psychology: When we have to answer to someone, we’re more likely to stick to our resolutions. Choose a friend who’s in a similar financial bracket as you and has a comparable relationship with money. Ideally, they will also have the same resolve to set and stick to those financial resolutions together.

To make it even easier, use a money management app, like Mint, to help track your spending, find your weak areas, and stay accountable for your friend.

Write it down

In an era where some people can go without touching a pen and paper for days, writing down New Year’s resolutions can seem obsolete, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t happen. The act of putting your financial resolutions into writing will help to imprint them on your memory. Plus, you’ll have a list of your resolutions to reference throughout the year to help keep you on track.