The New Year is exciting because it’s a chance to look forward and see what is going to happen in life. I plan a list of goals, look at my calendar, and try to make a plan to accomplish it all. It’s also a chance to reflect to see what went well in 2016 and where you can improve.
One of my main focus areas this year is personal finance. I do a relatively good job, but I could be doing much more. The last several months, I’ve been reading about how people saved a million dollars in their 30s, retired early, and achieved strong financial independence. I want and can be one of those people.
Get Motivated
- 11 Things to Do in Your 20s to Become a Millionaire in Your 30s (love this one)
- 21 Lifestyle Changes to Make if You Want to Save More Money
- Six Habits on Successful Investors
- 13 Strategies to Save a Fortune
- How to Save Money: 100 Tips to Get You Started
- Understanding Investment Fees (this is what pushed me to rollover my old 401k to an IRA)
- How I Became a Millionaire
Hopefully, these will inspire those of you with a financial resolution this year. I’m also addicted to the Dave Ramsey podcast. I’ve listened to hours of it over the last week. It’s what I needed to kick myself into gear. I agree with a lot of what he says, but I can’t imagine eliminating my credit card. I always pay mine off, so in my world it’s okay. Security for online shopping and rewards points are too important for me.
This is a hard change to make – it will significantly affect two areas I enjoy – eating out and traveling. If I make the sacrifices now, I think it will have a large payback later on. I do have three major trips and events this month and February, but I’ll do what I can to get started before then. This will be a wandering all on its own.
So, cheers! Bring it on 2017! Until then, happy wandering!
