Here are four tips to help you focus on your savings goals this year and beyond:
ONE: Chat about it. Friends, family and even close coworkers help us make plans and decisions every day. Whether you’re seeking out someone in a different life stage than you, or a wise peer who knows how to manage their finances well, tapping your network for advice on how others save money and plan for the future is a great place to start.
TWO: Check out tools for financial wellness. More employers are focused on supporting employees to help boost their financial health by offering financial wellness solutions that incorporate digital tools, over-the-phone support and even one-on-one coaching. Leveraging a combination of these resources can be powerful in helping you understand your finances and put practices in place to effectively manage them. Take some time to learn more about what’s available to you through your employee benefits.
THREE: Prepare for the unexpected. What many people also don’t realize is that lesser known employee benefits, like critical illness insurance, accident insurance and hospital indemnity plans, can protect you financially when the unexpected occurs. Benefits such as these, which are often available through your employer, pay a lump sum directly to you. You can use this any way you like, such as covering unexpected medical bills, paying out of pocket co-pays, rehabilitation bills, even your family’s household expenses during a stressful time.
FOUR: Make small changes for big gains. Big savings goals can be achieved through small changes to your short-term spending. Small purchases can add up and reducing them can be effective in not only achieving personal financial goals, but also changing habits that can generate savings over the course of a lifetime. Commit to a budget this year, and make plans that help you save, like inviting friends over to make a meal together instead of eating out at a restaurant.
Starting off the New Year with a commitment to saving more can help you achieve your short- and long-term financial goals, and reduce stress that comes with facing an unexpected expense you can’t cover with your savings.