7 Financial Goals You Should Be Setting for the New Year

The New Year is finally here! With all that has come about unexpectedly this past year, making sure your finances are in check is more important than ever.

If you haven’t thought about creating some resolutions for 2021, here are some financially-focused goals you should be setting for this year.

1. Track Your Expenses Regularly

First things first: Schedule time to take a look back at previous years to get a good idea of how much (generally) you’re spending per month.

This will allow you to set a budget (if you don’t have one already), and have a clearer picture of how much money you can realistically save. Not only that, but it can shift your mindset and force you to think through on all your purchases.

If you’re unsure of how to get started

13 Finance Lessons Learned from Horror Movies

I grew up watching horror movies. Which is a bit comical, since I’m pretty much a big chicken.

No joke. If someone jumps out at me from around the corner yelling “Boo!”, I’m gone.

You’ll find me two miles down the road, without a thought of returning until the whole house has been purged of evil spirits.

I don’t know why I consented to watch all of these films. Maybe it was a sign of the times.

Because it seems like the 80’s was the decade of scary movies. Or that could just be my warped recollection.

But family fun night — let’s watch Friday the 13th!

Teenage sleepover — of course, Sleepaway Camp!

And for the annual Halloween party — well, I’d expect nothing less than gathering together to watch our favorite silent masked villain — no, not that one, the other one. Michael Myers, of course.

Watching horror movies was a legit rite of passage when I was a kid.

And it went hand-in-hand with checking under my bed, sleeping with the lights on, and asking my dad to check for monsters in the closet.

And yes, as a full grown adult, I am still afraid of the dark.

By the Sea, Sure

I’m sitting here on the beach, writing a blog post.

Well, technically not on the beach — But we’re pretty darn close.

I can hear the waves crashing right outside the window where I’m sitting. And I can see the surf breaking, all white-capped and angry, in a hypnotic swirl of repetition.

It’s my family’s annual beach vacation. And right now, it’s raining in the Outer Banks. But from my current perspective, that is totally okay. Because I’m away from work, surrounded by almost all who matter most to me, and am able to relax for a few days.

And I’m writing a blog post.

Why, might you ask, am I blogging while on vacation??