A new year means a new beginning — at least, that’s what we’re all hoping for. As we step forward into the future, we want to build better habits and make the most of the coming year. What better place to start than with mastering your money?
That doesn’t just happen by itself: change happens one choice at a time. So, let’s take a look at some ways to start the new year on the right foot.
Set specific goals
No one ever achieved their goals without knowing exactly what they were aiming for. When it comes to starting your new year, be clear with yourself about your plans and what you want to achieve.
If your goal is to save, set a specific amount you’re saving towards, and a specific amount you’ll save each week, fortnight, or month, until you get there. If your goal is to pay off your debts, make sure you know what you need to pay and how often — check out this article to help create a plan to tackle your debts.
A clear goal can help keep you on track, and encourage you to stick with it until you’ve reached the finish line.
Make time to get organised
Having a clear goal means you’ll know where you’re headed, but there’s another step you’ll need to take: knowing how to get there. To figure that out, you’ll need to get organised.
Getting organised takes time. You’ll need to set time aside to focus on organising yourself. Take stock of your financial situation, and figure out how much you’ll have to spend and what you’ll need to spend it on. Write it all down so you can keep track of it, and you’ll have created a basic budget.
Once you’re organised, it’s just a matter of staying organised. That takes time, too — make a date with yourself, a time every couple of weeks or so when you go over your budget and make sure you’re still on track. Check out this step by step decision tree to help to examine your income and expenses and put a plan in place to balance them!
Know where to go if you need help
No one knows what the next year will hold. Things might be looking up, or you might be in need of assistance. Whatever the future might throw at you, you’ll be better prepared if you know what support is available for those who need it.
Check your university website, speak to student services, the Blackbullion Funding page and look into government programs, too. Find out what sort of assistance and funding is available. Even if you never end up needing it, just knowing what’s available can give you peace of mind.
Mastering your money is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll need to pace yourself throughout the year, and work at it every day — but it’s always well worth it. When you’re making money smart choices, you’ll live your life with less stress. You can face the new year focusing less on money worries and more on the stuff that really matters.
A new year can be a time of uncertainty, but it can also be a great chance to start fresh — especially if you start it off on the right foot.