Travel more, drink less, be more social, read more books—the new year is a great time to hit pause and set some positive goals for 2022!
Ok, we might be a little biased but, amazing money goals are one of the best ways to help your future self.
So to help kickstart your best financial year ever, we’ve gathered 3 ways for you to set and achieve some awesome money goals. Read on for tips on how to keep it real, stay on budget, and celebrate the little things!
In This Article
1. Set Realistic Goals 🎯
We know, we know—while new year’s resolutions are great, they’re notoriously hard to stick to—especially the money ones! So, where to start? Create solid spending habits and healthy saving routines.
A resolution can feel like a make-it-or-break-it situation, while a goal is based on a clear plan and direction. For example, a great financial goal for someone who wants to save more is setting a target of saving $2,000 by the end of 2022. Is it possible to save around $170 per month? What about picking up a side-gig to save extra money? Adjust your goals based on what’s realistic for you, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
For more 🔥 tips on setting goals, check out these resources on how to start implementing these positive changes in your life—for good.
Everybody thinks about money, but not in the same way. Your personal beliefs about how you save, spend, and handle money is more important than you think—it directly affects whether you see money as something to cherish, something to hoard, or something you try not to think about. Read this piece if you want to learn how to change your mindset for the better, and your wallet will thank you!
Committing to Your Financial Goals
The most important thing about money that people often forget is that it’s the long game—you can’t change anything about your finances overnight. You’ll have good days and bad days, but as long as you’re committed to your personal goals, you’ll be on your way. Read this piece for more tips on how to fully commit to living a healthier financial life.
Setting Intentions for the New Year
No, we don’t mean burning sage and meditating—unless you want too, of course! Setting intentions goes beyond wishful thinking and into tangible, set steps to accomplish your craziest dreams. When you learn how to break down your goals into manageable answers, you’ll find yourself closer than ever to making your new year’s resolutions come true.
Changing Your Habits, For Good
Like regularly going to the gym or cooking dinner at home, accomplishing something is so much easier when you’re in the habit of doing it. By slowly and steadily changing your daily habits, you’re setting yourself up for success—no matter how long it takes to get there!
2. Make Budgeting and Saving Your #1 📝
Want to get financially fit? It comes down to two things: knowing how to budget, and saving for the future. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you make, what grand plans you imagine, or how many side hustles you have, because a personalized budget within your means will always be the best thing you can do for your wallet. Period.
Start by asking yourself some questions about how you spend money: Are there areas where you know you want to cut back on? What about your essentials-that-might-not-be-so-essential? Do you want to save more?
Once you figure out the basics of a budget, you’ll know more about where you can cut down spending and build those savings. When it comes to the basics, you can’t go wrong with the 50/30/20 rule. It says that you should aim to put 50% of your take-home pay towards the things you need (rent, groceries, necessities), 30% towards your savings, and 20% towards the things you want (concert tickets, shopping, etc.)
For more 🔥 tips on budgeting and saving, these articles will help you get ahead of 2022 and grow that savings account!
Want a money challenge to kickoff 2022? Try doing a savings streak, where you try and save a certain amount of money every day/week for a certain amount of time! Start off easy with $20 dollars a week, and adjust the number as you go. Once you start, building that new habit will get easier and easier.
Want even more money challenges in 2022? We get it—sometimes, you have to turn your finances into a game to make it fun for yourself. We’ve compiled seven different money challenges to help you boost your bank account and win at saving. Because that’s totally a thing.
Before we get into it—this option isn’t for everyone. But if you’re someone with a little extra time in your day, working a side hustle can be a great way to make some extra cash, in addition to your full-time job! We’ve gathered some great side gigs that pay decently, are relatively easy, and most importantly—have flexible schedules to allow you to pick and choose when you want to work.
Technology is a beautiful thing. If you’re still using pen and paper, or god forbid, Excel, to manage your money, it might be time to look into some financial apps and websites. They’re specially designed to help you easily track your spending and manage your savings, and you’ll be able to confidently make smarter money decisions.
3. Schedule Financial Checkups (and Celebrate Your Progress!) 🥂
When it comes to re-evaluating your finances, the new year is as good of a time as any to start. But remember—we’re playing the long game, here. Jan 1st might be your starting point, but without regular checkups, you won’t fully understand what your progress looks like!
Schedule your financial checkups for once every two months, and see how you’re doing with your budget. If the numbers aren’t adding up, this would be the perfect time to adjust your plan as you see fit! Not only is checking in important, but celebrating your success (no matter how small) is a fantastic way to keep yourself motivated.
Read on for more 🔥 tips on setting your financial plan and checking in with yourself (and your bank account)!
From budgeting to tax planning, here’s an article that thoroughly explains how to start a great financial plan that fits your lifestyle. Not all of it is applicable to everyone, but everyone starts somewhere, and there’s no time like the present!
To level up your spending (and saving) even more, developing some great spending habits on top of budgeting will boost your financial confidence to 110%. By learning and applying some small changes here and there, you’re preparing for some big wins by the end of 2022!
