Happy New Year!
I have always appreciated the New Year’s holiday. Not only is it fun to get dressed up, count down the seconds until midnight, and clink champagne glasses…it also serves as a great chance for a fresh start. Every year, I try to set aside a few moments at the beginning of January for some reflection and goal setting. I hunker down with a huge mug of coffee, cozy up with a blanket, and jot down my thoughts. What were my top moments of the year prior? How successful was I with achieving my goals for the year? What were my big learnings and moments of change?
Once I have had a chance to think about the past, I turn my attention to the future. I create a few SMART (a.k.a. “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound”) goals for the new year, and also create a vision board to help me visualize what I’m hoping to achieve. My goals usually cover a variety of topics, but one thing I always prioritize: my financial health.
Taking inventory of one’s financial health is so, so important, but most of us rarely take the time to do so. We have no trouble listing some of the more fun goals on our list: the trips to take, new activities to try, etc., but very rarely put much thought into taking care of our financial futures. Are you guilty of making this same mistake? Does the concept of managing your personal finances make you want to close out of this blog post and focus on something else?
I get that.
Maybe you’re realizing that you really do need to focus on your finances (hello credit card bills and student loans!) but have no clue where to begin. I get that, too.
So, here’s the good news: you can do this!
Let 2019 be the year you finally tackle those finances. Say goodbye to the days of worrying about the possibility of your credit card being declined, and say hello to financial empowerment, confidence, and freedom!
Q: Okay, that all sounds great, but how is this possible?
A: Work with a financial planner or advisor.
Financial professionals (like me!) are here to help you for this exact reason. As fiduciaries, we are required to act with your best interests in mind. We can help you better understand your financial situation and will work with you to build a realistic path forward. We can help you identify your most pressing financial needs and develop strategic recommendations for helping you meet them.
One of the best times to meet with a financial advisor is when you undergo any type of life change. You’re getting married (yay!), buying a house (woo!), changing your career (#girlboss), or are starting a family (congrats!) …these are all excellent times to meet with an advisor who can help you best plan for your new situation.
Consider your own financial goals for the new year. Are you hoping to pay off a large portion of your student loans? Are you aiming to save for a down payment for a house? Are you hoping to shift your side hustle to your main hustle? Perhaps you’ve been meaning to learn more about that Roth IRA thing people keep telling you about. Whatever your goals are, let this be the year you achieve them!
2019, we are ready for ya …let’s do this!
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