What You’ll Learn
- We highlight five practical strategies for choosing and sticking to a financial New Year’s resolution, including getting specific with your goals, starting small, making it personally meaningful, automating your plan, and tracking progress in an engaging way.
The New Year is the perfect time to take charge of your financial future. But how do you choose a financial New Year’s resolution that’s meaningful and achievable—and won’t ghost you by February? Here are five practical tips to help you select the right goal and stick with it all year long.
#1: Get Specific (Like, Really Specific)
Forget vague promises like “save more.” Instead, think: “stash $85 monthly for my emergency fund.” It’s like having a GPS for your money—you’ll always know if you’re on track. Break that big number into weekly bits, and suddenly it feels less like climbing a mountain and more like taking the stairs.
#2: It’s Okay to Start Small
Just to state the obvious, the best financial resolution is the one you’ll actually keep. Begin with something so easy it almost feels like cheating—maybe it’s saving $10 a week or canceling that dusty gym membership. Small wins are like financial momentum builders—they make you want to level up.
#3: Make It Personal
Choose a goal that matters to YOU, not a goal you don’t really care about. Maybe you want to save for a family vacation or build an emergency fund for peace of mind. When your resolution connects with what’s important to you, motivation comes built-in.
#4: Put It on Autopilot
Let’s be real. Willpower is overrated. Use our Mobile Banking tools to automate your financial resolution. Set up automatic transfers to your savings account. Set up automatic Bill Pay to avoid missing payments. And use the tools under the Financial Planning tab to monitor your credit, set savings goals, and create budgets to better understand your finances.
#5: Keep Score (But Make It Fun)
Track your progress like you track your favorite team’s stats. Use our budgeting tools, set up custom alerts, or find a money buddy. Think of it as your financial fitness tracker—seeing those numbers move in the right direction is addictive.
By combining these strategies, you’ll not only set a meaningful financial resolution but also build habits that last long after January fades into memory. Start small, stay consistent, and remember:
The best resolution isn’t the biggest or most ambitious—it’s the one you’re still working on next December.
Need help getting started on your financial New Year’s resolution? Contact us or stop by a Salal branch and we’ll be happy to go over what tools and strategies might help you achieve your goals.
