Amanda Peterson
January 9, 2024
• 2 Minute Read
New Year’s resolutions are a popular way to set fresh goals, especially when it comes to improving your financial health. While many resolutions fade away by February, there are strategic shortcuts you can take to ensure your money goals last throughout the year. Here are eight financial resolutions from CreditSoup.com you can easily automate and stick to:
Boost Retirement Contributions
Increase your 401(k) contribution for more savings effortlessly. Whether you're aiming for a full company match or just want to save more, a slight adjustment in your percentage can make a significant impact. Make it automatic through your company's HR office.
Automate Savings Transfers
Set up regular transfers from checking to savings for consistent progress towards your goals. Whether it's on payday or a specific day of the month, make sure and pay yourself first out of every paycheck. This is a great habit to get into!
Embrace Money-Saving Apps
Money-saving apps like Dosh, Oportun, and Acorns automate cash-back rewards, optimal daily savings, and spare change investments. There are tons of great apps that incrementally add to your savings account, so give these three a try.
Drop Costly Habits
Quit smoking, make coffee at home, and cut down on unnecessary expenses to boost your savings. The average consumer spends $273/month on subscriptions. That's $3,376/year! Cut that in half by eliminating wasted subscriptions. Identify your low-hanging fruit and start there.
Monitor Credit Score
Things such as paying your bills on time, and keeping your credit card balances to a minimum will all play a part in obtaining a high credit score. Regularly track your credit score using free services from CreditSoup.com for continuous improvement.
Utilize 0% APR Cards
Credit card APR is your interest rate represented as a number. This number is used to calculate how much interest you will pay each month. A lower APR means that you will pay less interest, while a high APR means that you could end up paying a lot of interest. Transfer high-interest debts to a 0% APR card for interest savings, but discipline is key – avoid accumulating more debt.
Plan No-Spend Days or Weeks
Challenge yourself with weekly no-spend days or monthly no-spend weeks to break harmful spending habits. Choosing one or two days out of the month to not spend a dime, you can make a significant impact on your budget.
Explore Loan Refinancing
Consider refinancing loans for better terms, potentially saving thousands without altering your lifestyle. Lower interest rates on mortgages or auto loans can result in substantial savings.
In Summary
Remember, the key to successful financial resolutions is automation and consistency. By incorporating these strategies, you can set yourself up for a prosperous and financially sound year.
Editorial Disclaimer: Information in these articles is brought to you by CreditSoup. Banks, issuers, and credit card companies mentioned in the articles do not endorse or guarantee, and are not responsible for, the contents of the articles. The information is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted; however, all credit card information is presented without warranty. Please check the issuer’s website for the most current information.