Savvy Women

Make Your Resolutions Real

By Candace Bahr, CEA, CDFA and Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP

Millions of Americans make a list of resolutions every January. It’s a grand tradition dating back to ancient times. Among the top ten each year are financial goals such as getting out of debt or saving for retirement.

The beginning of the New Year is a great time to think about how we’d like to improve our lives. But how many of us actually know how to make those resolutions real? Here are some tips to make your resolutions stick the whole year through.

1. First, get excited about your goals
   The fun of goal-setting at the New Year comes from our hope and faith in the power of new beginnings. Be positive and know that you can make the gains you want in life. 
   
   
2. Recognize that you need a plan to make things happen
   A list of written resolutions or goals won’t be real without a written plan of action to follow. Get inspired and then get physical. What will you do?
   
   
3. Be realistic in setting your goals
   Winning the lottery is not a realistic way of improving your finances. It would be nice, of course, but it’s pretty much out of your control. Saving an extra $100 a month is something real you can achieve.
   
   
4. Be specific
   Rather than saying “I won’t waste money,” say “I’ll bring my lunch from home” or “I’ll walk instead of drive.”
   
   
5. Break up larger goals into small steps you can work on every day
   Rather than saying “I’ll earn more money,” say “I’ll take a class to enhance my job skills.” Your plan to make your resolutions real needs to translate the big picture into a sequence of small steps you can begin taking right now to move toward your goals.
   
   
6. Build in some motivation
   f you decide to give up your morning latte three days a week, offer yourself another pleasurable reward like taking a walk or listening to music.
   
   
7. Put your heart into your goals
   Make sure the steps you resolve to take this New Year really matter to you. Where your heart leads, your small steps will surely follow!

At WIFE we welcome your comments. Please feel free to contact us.

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