The year is going to end and by now you realize how important it is to navigate high inflation, the spike in gas and grocery prices and rise in interest rates. We don’t know how things will change and how the economy will turn around. That’s why it’s essential to ace your money moves before the year ends so you’re ready for 2023.
If you are worried about how you are going to handle the situation, don’t worry, you are not alone. Here are 4 money moves that can help you stay positive, plan and be financially successful in the new year and prepare you for the future.
Set financial goals
Look back and appreciate the little savings you’ve made; the credit card bills you’ve paid and what you have saved up during an emergency. You’ve done a good job! Now that you know how you’ve spent your money in 2022, go through the expenses you made in the past and set new goals for 2023. Think wisely, be realistic, have a time set to achieve your goals and take it one step at a time. Once you have your goals, you’ll have clarity on how to go about them. This will make you think better to allot your resources and energy for the new year to come.
Budget
It’s all about the budget. This helps you have control over your expenses and will not let you overpay. When you have a set budget you are bound to stick to it and, in this way, you will save up a little. There are many budgeting apps like Line or you can even manually make a list.
Check for errors on credit reports
If you have overlooked your credit reports, then it’s time you take a closer look. You may find accounts that might not be yours and can belong to someone else. Some accounts you did not notice may be negligent or careless. There could be wrong information, incorrect data or missing details about your accounts. You can clear these errors by contacting the correct credit agencies.
Have a retirement plan
After you retire what are your plans? Have you thought about any yet? Start now! Having a retirement plan is important. The first step is to choose what retirement account you want. If you are offered 401(k) by your employer, sign up for it. With 401(k) match by your employer, make contributions to take complete advantage of it so the match is part of your compensation. If you have left old jobs with 401(k)s, get them to your new retirement account. If you have no access to 401(k), there are other options like IRAs and Roth IRAs. Once you have a retirement account, you can start saving a little regularly. Start small, it still matters.
