2018 Financial Wellness Resolutions
Did you know that January is National Financial Wellness Month? Whether you’re recovering from excessive holiday spending or are finally putting your personal finances at the top of your resolution list, the new year is a great time to reflect on your current & past spending habits and set new financial goals. In honor of Financial Wellness Month, we’re sharing some some of our favorite financial goals & resolutions for 2018 and revealing how Perpay can help you achieve them.
Resolution #1: Create a budget and stick to it
Budgeting, or the process of creating a spending plan, is important because it ensures that you will always have enough money for the things you need and allows you to prioritize your purchases. If you’re committed to improving your finances this year, creating a budget is a great first step.
Start by making a list of your regular monthly expenses and your anticipated one time expenses. Next, compare your predicted monthly spending to what you’re bringing home in paychecks. By doing this you can easily forecast which months your finances may be tight and which months you may have extra money. You can even out the highs and lows in your finances by either distributing your one time expenses across several months or using Perpay to make them. With small payments deducted from each paycheck, you don’t have to put off necessary purchases or worry about without getting off track with your budget.
Resolution #2: Get out of credit card debt
Credit card debt just reached an all time high the U.S, with the average household owing a frightening $16,000 in credit card debt. While you’re working on your budget, try setting a concrete goal for how much credit card debt you want to pay down in the New Year. One tip is to focus on paying down the debt with the highest interest first.
One of the best ways to combat debt is to avoid adding to it. Your budget will come in handy here, and so will Perpay! Perpay allows you to make responsible purchases without the stress of missing a payment or accumulating debt. Plus, unlike with credit cards, we don’t charge interest or require a credit check.
Resolution #3: Start saving
Setting aside money for savings is extremely important. Whether it be towards your emergency fund, education savings, retirement plan, or all 3, we cannot stress the importance of having money saved for times of need. If you haven’t started saving for one or any of these, make 2018 the year to start. With Perpay, you don’t have to tap into your savings accounts or put your savings contributions on hold to make certain purchases. You can purchase things you want or need, while continuing to allocate money towards your savings accounts.
Resolution #4: Automate spending and saving
It’s 2018, which means that you can automate just about every aspect of your financial life. From automatic bill pay for credit cards, utilities, loans, and more, to recurring contributions to retirement, savings, or emergency funds, automating your payments and contributions can help you stay on track with your savings and avoid missed payments & debt. Perpay offers easy and automatic payments directly from your paycheck, making your repayment process manageable & stress-free!
Resolution #5: Increase your financial literacy
Knowledge is power. By continuously adding to what you already know about personal finance, you will be able make smarter, more informed decisions in the new year and beyond. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for financial tips, company updates, and new blog posts!