Financial Resolutions that last

Losing weight, quitting smoking, saving money and getting out of debt are among the most popular New Year’s resolutions.

Unfortunately resolutions like these tend not to last long, particularly if there is no vision for how to make them work. Here’s how you can get serious enough about your financial goals to achieve long term change.

Make a plan

Good intentions won’t last long if they lack specifics. It’s easy to say “I want to get my debt under control”, but harder to sit down and work out a financial plan to achieve this. Whether it is one goal or a series, putting a plan in writing helps to track progress over time and gives you a foundation off which to make sound financial decisions.

Start small

Instead of going cold turkey, try making changes one step at a time. A small change each week can add up to big savings in the end, whereas a sudden dramatic changes are harder to stick to and more likely to backfire down the road.

Track spending

Over the course of a few weeks, track every cent you spend as this will give you a clearer idea of where your money is going. There are online budgeting programs that help simplify the process of tracking spending.

Set aside time

Schedule a time each week to work on your finances. Without a scheduled time slot, it’s easy to let all your hard work in compiling a financial plan slip and before you know it, paperwork has piled up, bills have gone unpaid and you are back where you started.

Work together

For a financial plan to work, everyone in the household must have a hand in making it a success. Ensure you and your partner can agree on and commit to your financial goals so there is no risk of one person secretly spending or overspending.

Anticipate obstacles

You never know what life can throw at you so be prepared for emergencies and unforeseen expenses. Set aside an emergency fund of at least 3 to 6 months basic living expenses to act as a stopgap if things go wrong.

Commit

It is time to make a commitment to move ahead with your financial goals. Remember it’s never too late to make a change for the better – today is the starting point for the rest of your life.

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*This information is general in nature and does not take into consideration your individual circumstances. Please contact us for further information.