New Year Resolutions: Fiscal and Physical Fitness |
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Making promises to improve your lifestyle at the beginning of a new year reaches way back in history to ancient Roman times. And, as sure as people will be making resolutions in January, they'll be breaking them by February. So, how do you keep them?
The key to keeping your resolutions is picking a few concrete goals and laying out a plan to reach them. Since most people site finances and health as their top concerns, here's a few tips to help you take steps to better fiscal, as well as physical health.
Start With a Budget
If you haven't been in the habit of keeping track of your finances, start making a monthly budget. Wachovia's Online BillPay can help you track spending, save for the future, and pay bills on time, avoiding unnecessary late fees. You can set up a regular schedule to pay everything from your mortgage and utilities, to your health club membership.
Property and Liability Insurance
You should take a careful look at your auto and homeowner's insurance at least once a year. Be sure that your homeowner's limits have kept pace with the increased value of your home. If you're a renter, buy renter's insurance. If you are ever a victim of theft, you'll be glad you did.1
Emergency Savings
You should have enough funds to keep your household afloat in the case of layoff or illness for about six months. A credit line or short-term investments that can easily be sold to generate cash can serve this purpose if you don't have extra cash on hand.
Wills and Life Insurance
Are your dependents provided for in the event of your death? If you are without a will, move this item to the top of your list. Even if you have a simple estate, you should designate an official guardian if you have children.
Keeping Healthy All Year Long
Eat right, exercise more; these top nearly everyone's list of resolutions, but are hard to maintain. Don't expect to change a lifetime of bad habits overnight. For success, focus on small changes over time.2
If You Bite, Write
People who write down what they eat tend to have greater success than those who don't.
More Fruit, More Vegetables
Start by just adding an additional serving of fruit and vegetables to your diet every day.
Get More Shut Eye
Get a good night's sleep. Studies have shown that sufficient sleep has a powerful effect on emotional health and well being. It's an excellent place to start with a positive change.
See the Doc
Get regular checkups. Women need yearly mammograms and Pap smears, and for those over 50, bone density testing to check for osteoporosis. Men and women over 50 also need to start annual colon cancer screening.
A Little Means a Lot
Just 30 minutes a day of exercise benefits your heart and your stress level. Even small increments of regular exercise provide significant heart benefits.
Ready?
Get out your list and write down what you're going to achieve next year.
Remember, every success starts with a goal. Good luck!
Would you like to read even more about planning ahead for next year? Visit our Wachovia eNewsletter archives for more articles, tips and insights.
