The start of a new year offers an opportunity to reflect on the past and set goals for the future. Revisiting both your personal and financial goals can help set you up for success in 2023 and beyond.
Manage your Wealth.
Here are six ways to kick off the new year with fresh a perspective:
Revisit Your Household Budget
Start the year by revisiting your budget. Assess your average monthly income, as well as your fixed and variable expenses, and determine your financial priorities for 2023 to develop the ideal budget for you. Reassessing your budget may be especially valuable now, as high inflation forces many households to allocate more for essentials like groceries, eating out, transport and more.
Check Your Emergency Fund
It’s always a good idea to double-check that you have adequate funds set aside for a rainy day—but that’s especially true in times when the economy may be slowing from its once robust pace. Not only can an emergency fund help you, but it can also help keep you financially afloat in unforeseen life circumstances, such as a change in your plans or a loved one’s critical situation. A general rule-of-thumb for an emergency fund is to save three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a thumb.
Prioritize Your Wellness
The pandemic may no longer be weighing as heavily on some people’s minds as it once did: According to the 2022 Investor Pulse Poll, a lower percentage of survey respondents (37%) reported that their emotional health had suffered due to the pandemic in 2022, down from 43% in 2021.
The new year can be an opportunity to continue prioritizing your personal and financial wellness. Consider taking advantage of any employer wellness resources for physical, mental or financial health. You can take short financial-education programs and digital learning tools, which can supplement everything you know.
Make Sure You’re on Track with Your Goals
Be sure to check whether you’re still tracking toward your goals, such as saving and investing for a comfortable life. If you’re still on track with your goals, talk with your Financial Advisor about new goals you want to work toward. For example, in 2022, were you able to boost your contributions to your personal or life savings? If No, in 2023, can you contribute even more to and make a change?