If your new year began with a few financial resolutions, how are you doing with your goals? As the year gets older, many forget about their resolutions. Common resolutions include losing weight, eating better and making smarter financial choices. If you resolved to get your finances in check this year, here are seven awesome tricks to keep your financial resolutions on track.
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1. Get an Accountability Buddy
To keep your financial resolutions on track, you need an accountability buddy. This can be an person, such as your spouse, a parent, a sibling or your best friend. Make your goals known to this person, and periodically check in with him or her. If you're accountable to someone, you're more likely to stick with your financial resolutions.
2. Be Realistic about Your Abilities
Money resolutions are excellent but if you don't set realistic expectations for yourself, you might throw in the towel too soon. When working towards any long-term goal, you need to set manageable, short-term goals. This makes it easier to achieve the big picture. For example, if you resolved to pay off credit card debt, set a goal to pay off your card with the lowest balance by mid-year, and then tackle another card by the end of the year.
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3. Post Your Goals
There is truth behind the expression, out of sight, out of mind. To keep your financial resolutions on track, post your goals in an area that's visible to you each day. This might be your desk at work, a wall in your office, or you can put a reminder on your phone.
4. Reward Yourself Throughout the Year
Sticking with goals is challenging. But if you reward yourself for reaching small milestones, this can motivate and encourage you to continue on your path. Since you're trying to improve your financial situation, the rewards shouldn't be costly. It can be something as simple as treating yourself to a massage, or buying one item for yourself every few months.
5. Keep Your Eyes Fixed on the Big Picture
It can take a while to reach financial milestones. However, if you keep the bigger picture in mind and remember the end result, you're more likely to stick with your financial resolution. For example, if you aim to save money, remember the goals that you're ultimately working toward, perhaps a home purchase or a dream vacation.
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6. Make Adjustments as Needed
Things don’t always go according to original plans. It's important therefore, that you’re adaptable and willing to adjust your plan as needed. This might involve extending your target goal date, or modifying the steps to reach your goals.
7. Get Back on the Wagon
The truth is, you might forget about your resolutions after two or three months. Don't let this stop you. There will always be hurdles. And unfortunately, some people let the smallest issues stand in the way of their goals -- which is why they never get their money on track. Even if you get off track, you can always pick yourself up.
Whether you’re planning to pay off debt, increase your savings account or get serious about retirement planning, financial goals can keep you focussed and improve your financial outlook. What steps have you taken to fix your money situation in 2019?
