Economy

10 Financial Resolutions for the New Year

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Most of us have heard by now that there are several relatively painless steps we can take to improve our financial health. All it takes is a little shove.

Turning the page on a new year typically results in a spate of new resolutions to go along with the new calendar. A lot of us want to lose weight and some of us want to feel as if we were 20 years younger, so gym memberships soar at this time of year. All we can say is, been there, done that, and got several T-shirts to prove it.

Financial resolutions are also popular, and while they can be just as difficult to stick with as exercise and diet, it never hurts to review financial resolutions in order to check on our money behavior. Most of us have little bad habits that eventually add up to a real cost.

Researchers at WalletHub have put together a good list of 10 financial resolutions to consider as 2016 gives way to 2017. Who knows, if we accept the challenge, we may develop some new, good habits. Here’s WalletHub’s list:

  1. Thoroughly review your credit report & sign up for credit monitoring
  2. Pay bills right after receiving you paycheck
  3. Repay 20% of your credit card debt
  4. Use different credit cards for everyday purchases & another for debt
  5. Add one month’s pay to your emergency fund
  6. Improve your credit score by 20 points
  7. Get an A in WalletLiteracy
  8. Focus on your physical health
  9. Make a realistic budget & stick to it
  10. Look for a better job

Visit the WalletHub website for additional details and expert advice.

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