It is a new year and that brings the reality of time to the forefront of our minds. A new year also gives us an excuse to think about where we are and where we want to be. Thus, we make resolutions.
 
Yet, by this time in the New Year, 60% of people have abandoned their New Year’s resolutions – and 40% of people made financial resolutions this January 1st. Those are far easier to keep than most.
 
Why, because unlike losing 20 lbs, which requires you to make good decisions everyday – and put down that beer at happy hour – with finances you can often set yourself up for automatic saving and forget it. All you need are the right tools.
 
Back to that beer and on to those tools:

• Auto save a tad more: put an extra $20, $50, $100 to go directly into your savings account each paycheck.
• Set up your 401k: the hardest part is finding your login information. Once you’re into that forgotten account, set up 10% of your pre-tax paycheck to go into your 401k and a choose an investing plan based on your age. (more details on this process here)
• Use an online budgeting tool: there are so many free budgeting tools that sync to your accounts so you don’t have to write down every expense. You’ll get a great sense of how much and where all the money goes. Knowledge is power.

How did you set up your year for financial success?