The new year is a great time to set financial goals and plan how to achieve them. In this blog post, we’ll discuss 15 financial New Year’s resolutions that you can achieve and will help you improve your personal finances in 2023.

Remember, last year is gone, but there is always time to take control of your finances and make positive changes in your financial life.

Table of Contents

Create a budget and stick to it

One of the most important steps to improve your finances is to create a budget and stick to it. A budget is a plan for how you will spend your money; it is a great way to ensure that you are living within your means and saving for your goals.

Creating a budget is simple, but sticking to it can be challenging. Here are some ways to help you make and stick to a budget:

  1. Be realistic: When creating your budget, include your income and expenses, and be realistic about how much you can afford to spend in each category.
  2. Track your spending: Keep track of your spending for a month to get a clear picture of where your money is going. This will help you figure out where you can save money and areas where you may be overspending.
  3. Prioritize your spending: Decide what is most important to you.
  4. Automate your savings

There are numerous tools to use. But stick to what works for you. You know yourself best.

How to Budget in 6 Simple Steps

Pay off debt

Paying off debt can be a hard task, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. There are several benefits of paying off debt:

  • Lowering your monthly expenses frees up more money for savings and investments when there is no minimum payment.
  • Improving your credit score: By reducing your credit utilization ratio (the amount of debt you have compared to your credit limit).
  • Reducing stress: Being debt-free can bring a sense of peace of mind.

There are many techniques for paying off debt. Two popular ones are the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods: Read about them here.

Debt Avalanche vs Debt Snowball. Financial Resolutions

Increase savings

Increasing savings is one of the most important financial resolutions you can make. One financial metric you need to track is your savings rate which is the percentage of your saving and investment to your income.

There are many strategies to increase savings, such as:

  • Setting up automatic transfers: Setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account is one of the easiest ways to save money. This way, you won’t have to remember to move the money yourself.
  • Finding ways to cut expenses: Look for areas where you can reduce spending, such as cutting back on dining out or cancelling subscriptions you no longer use.
  • Increasing income: Look for ways to increase your income, such as taking on a side hustle or asking for a raise.

When it comes to different types of savings accounts, there are many options available to suit different needs but focus first on saving in tax-advantaged accounts like your ISA. This is free money.

Money Saving Hacks: 15 Ways to Boost Your Savings

Invest in your retirement

The earlier you start saving for retirement, the more time your money has to grow, and the less you will need to save each month to reach your retirement goals.

When it comes to ways to invest in retirement, there are several options available:

  • Diversify your portfolio: Diversifying your investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate can help spread risk and increase returns.
  • Take advantage of employer matching: If your employer offers a pension, 401(k), or other employer-sponsored plans, take advantage of any employer matching contributions.
  • Consider professional advice: Consider working with a financial advisor to help create a retirement plan that suits your needs and goals.

9 Simple Ways to Boost Your Retirement Pot

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Review and adjust insurance coverage

Having adequate insurance coverage is essential for protecting your assets, income, and loved ones from unexpected events. Reviewing and adjusting your insurance coverage regularly can ensure that you have the right coverage to meet your current needs.

The importance of having adequate insurance coverage cannot be overstated. Here are a few reasons why it is important to have insurance:

  • It protects your assets: Insurance can help protect your assets, such as your home and car, from damage or loss.
  • It protects your income: Insurance can help protect your income by providing financial support if you become disabled or unable to work.
  • It provides peace of mind: Knowing that you have insurance can provide peace of mind and a sense of security.

There are several types of insurance products you should consider homeowners insurance, auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance

When it comes to reviewing and adjusting your insurance coverage, here are a few tips:

  • Review your coverage annually
  • Look for discounts
  • Consider your assets
  • Be honest

Create an emergency fund

An emergency fund is a savings account specifically set aside for unexpected expenses, such as a job loss, medical emergency, or car repair. An emergency fund can help you avoid debt when an unexpected event occurs.

The importance of having an emergency fund cannot be overstated. An emergency fund

  • It provides a safety net: Having an emergency fund can help you cover unexpected expenses without going into debt.
  • It helps you stay on track with your financial goals: An emergency fund can help you stay on track with your financial goals, such as saving for a down payment on a house, by preventing unexpected expenses from derailing your plans.
  • It provides peace of mind: Knowing that you have an emergency fund can provide peace of mind and a sense of financial security.

Emergency Fund: Everything you need to know

Review and adjust investment portfolio

It’s a good idea to regularly review and adjust your investment portfolio, especially your retirement accounts. It can help ensure that your portfolio is aligned with your risk tolerance and investment goals and that it is diversified to help manage risk.

Here are a few reasons why it is important to review your investments:

  • It keeps your portfolio aligned with your goals
  • It helps you manage risk

When it comes to different types of investments, there are many options available, each with different risks and returns: such as stocks, bonds, real estate, mutual funds, ETFs and REIT

Creating a diversified investment portfolio can help manage risk and increase returns. Here are a few tips for creating a diversified portfolio:

  • Invest in different asset classes: Invest in a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets to spread risk and increase returns.
  • Invest in different sectors: Invest in different sectors, such as technology, healthcare, and finance, to spread risk and increase returns.
  • Invest in different geographical regions: Invest in different geographical regions, such as the US, Europe, and Asia, to spread risk and increase returns.

Learn about personal finance

Understanding personal finance is crucial for making smart financial decisions and achieving your financial goals.

Here are a few reasons why it is important to learn about personal finance:

  • It empowers you to make smart financial decisions:
  • It helps you reach your financial goals.
  • It can help you avoid financial pitfalls.

There are many personal finance resources available to help you learn about personal finance, such as books

Make a plan for reaching financial goals

Having a clear plan for reaching your financial goals can help you stay on track and make informed decisions about managing your money.

Some importance of setting financial goals:

  • It provides direction
  • It helps you stay on track
  • It keeps you motivated

Examples of specific goals you can set in the coming year

  • Saving xxxxxx amount for a down payment on a house
  • Paying off xxxxxx amount of credit card debt
  • Building an emergency fund
  • Contributing xxxx amount to my retirement account monthly
  • Investing xxxx amount monthly in the stock market for financial freedom
  • Earn xxxx amount as extra money monthly
  • Consult xxxx financial experts regarding xxxx

Setting Financial Goals For The New Year

How to Change Your Money Mindset. Financial Resolutions

Review credit report

Your credit report is a detailed record of your credit history and is used to determine your credit score, which is a key factor in your ability to obtain loans and credit cards.

Constantly reviewing your credit report helps you.

  • Detect errors: Reviewing your credit report can help you detect errors, such as incorrect information or fraudulent activity.
  • Monitor your credit score: Reviewing your credit report can help you monitor your credit score, which is a key factor in your ability to obtain loans and credit cards.
  • Stay on top of your finances: Reviewing your credit report can help you stay on top of your finances and make informed decisions about managing your money.

To obtain a credit report, you can request one from the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

When reading your credit report, here are a few key things to look for:

  • Personal information
  • Credit history including the types of credit you have, the balances, and the payment history
  • Public records: such as bankruptcies or foreclosures
  • Inquiries

Negotiate bills and expenses

This is a specific goal that you can call a quick win; many of us think it’s not possible, but it’s possible to negotiate some of your regular bills and subscriptions. Some examples of bills and expenses that can be negotiated are cable, internet, and insurance, utilities.

Tips for successfully negotiating bills and expenses

  • Do your research
  • Be polite and level-headed 
  • Communicate your needs clearly
  • Remain flexible

Make extra income

There is usually a limit to how much you can cut from your expenses, but there is no limit to how much money you can make. There are different ways to increase your monthly income, from getting a raise, changing jobs, starting a side gig, house hacking, etc.

Review and update your estate plan

Estate planning isn’t just for older people; for example, you should have a will today. Making it one of your New Year financial resolutions could benefit you and your family if you don’t have a will. Without one, in the event of your death, your state’s laws will determine who takes ownership of your assets and property.

Most importantly, wills are strongly recommended for those with children, a spouse, or a positive net worth. Having a will protects your family and your assets, which all of us agree is important.

Financial Resolutions

Spend less money

One thing you should do this year is to spend less than you earn, and this is very doable if only you will tweak your spending habits.

Everyone wants to save money. One of the best ways to do that is to spend less. While it is easier said than done, spending less in 2023 is doable with a few tweaks to your spending habits.

Calculate Your Net Worth

The start of the new year is an opportunity to calculate your net worth. This is the best way to give you a clear picture of your financial health and one financial resolution you should do yearly.

Net worth is the value of all your assets, such as your savings, retirement savings, investments, and property, minus all your liabilities, such as your mortgages, credit card debt, and student loans.

9 Personal Finance Metrics You Need to Track

Be More Generous

Giving to others, whether through charitable donations, volunteering time, or helping a friend in need. Decide to do more this year.

The importance of generosity cannot be overstated. Here are a few reasons why it is important to be generous:

  • It helps build stronger relationships.
  • It can increase feelings of happiness.
  • It can have a positive impact on the community.
  • When it comes to being more generous, there are many ways to give charitable donations, volunteering, helping a friend in need, and small acts of kindness.

Creating a budget for giving is also helpful to ensure that you can give in a way that fits your financial situation. When creating a budget, consider setting aside a specific amount each month for giving, whether through charitable donations or small acts of kindness.

15 Financial Resolutions To Make In The New Year