January marks the start of Financial Wellness Month, a time when many of us reflect on our goals for the year ahead. Financial wellness is a priority for many, making it the ideal time to reassess your finances and position yourself for success for the year.  However, planning out your finances for the entire year can feel overwhelming when there is so much to consider like budgeting, saving, managing debt, and setting future goals. What if you took a different approach this year?

Instead of tackling your finances all at once, consider breaking it down month by month.

MONTH	FINANCIAL GOAL
January	Set your Financial Goals
February	Create or Update Your Budget
March	Build or Strengthen Your Emergency Fund
April	Tackle High-Interest Debt
May	Review Your Insurance Coverage
June	Start Saving for Retirement
July	Check Your Credit Report
August	Automate Your Savings
September	Plan for Big Expenses
October	Review Your Investments
November	Max Out Your Retirement Contributions
December	Reflect and Adjust Goals

Start Small, Stay Focused

January is a great time to strive for a year of financial wellness, but it’s important not to pressure yourself to have everything figured out from day one. Set smaller, more manageable goals each month to focus on immediate priorities. The key is to take one thing at a time.

A Monthly Roadmap to Financial Wellness

Simplify financial planning by creating a monthly roadmap. Try dedicating each month to a specific task, such as building an emergency fund in February or reviewing your credit score in March. Focusing on one task at a time, can slowly build habits that will add up to long-term success.

Take Control of Your Financial Future

The new year is an opportunity to take control of your financial future, but remember, it’s about steady progress, not perfection. Consider taking advantage of financial tools like Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) to cover eligible expenses and reduce out-of-pocket costs. These accounts can be an excellent resource to align your financial planning with your healthcare needs while maximizing tax savings.

 

As you work toward financial wellness this year, Utilize tools and resources like budget apps to stay on track and make informed decisions. By taking control of your finances one step at a time, you’ll set yourself up for a more secure financial future.