For most of us, the New Year is a time to push the reset button. New beginnings are found, bigger goals are set, and self-reflection often takes place. Do I want to get in shape or learn a new language? Maybe I want to work towards a promotion in my career. Sound familiar? - These are all questions we ask ourselves as we begin to develop a plan for the New Year ahead. 2018 is officially here and for some, it can be difficult to stay true to our New Year’s resolutions, especially when they seem overly ambitious. I know too many people, including myself that will set a goal, stick to it for maybe two to three weeks and then drop it like a hot potato.
Why do I think this happens? - Because we tend to set really big goals, ones that seem impossible to achieve and then we get discouraged quickly when we don’t see the results we hoped for. In fact, according to Business Insider, around 80% of resolutions made by people fail by the second week of February. Now that doesn’t sound like the odds are in our favour now does it?!
However, don’t get too discouraged. I have prepared a list of common New Year’s resolutions with specific tactics that will help you think differently about how you achieve your resolutions.
I want to lead a healthier lifestyle.
This mindset can take on many forms from overall mental wellness to a healthier body physique. Start small. The biggest mistake you can make is trying to take on everything all at once. Remember, you don’t have to turn into a bodybuilder overnight. Sometimes it helps to set smaller healthy living goals and work toward mastering them before jumping right to the next one. For instance, maybe you start by consciously making healthier food choices for yourself. If the gym isn’t your thing, don’t worry! You can always exercise from the comfort of your own home - try the 7 minute workout otherwise known as high-intensity interval training. Did you know, science has proven that working out for a shorter period of time at a higher intensity is actually more beneficial than working out for longer periods of time?
I want to budget more effectively.
Budgeting can be tedious, especially with all the festivities around the holiday season. Typically people will spend more than intended on presents and various outings, which can have an adverse impact on one's wallet, throwing savings goals down the drain. If this sounds like you, perhaps your goal for 2018 is to practice good savings habits, which requires proper budget management. There are several ways to budget. Choose one or two - don’t feel like you need to take on all of these tactics in order to be a successful budgeter. If you do, you may wear yourself thin and experience a sense of discouragement.
- Understand your current financial situation. This means taking into consideration your income versus your expenditures on a periodic basis. - How much you save versus how much you spend. If you are a visual person, plan this out on paper or speak to a financial advisor. It never hurts to plan ahead.
- Realize what expenses you need versus those that you want. Categorize and organize! What really matters to you and what can you live without? Do you really need to be frequenting your favorite coffee shop each morning for a Java? Maybe not. Maybe you limit this want to once or twice per week to cut your costs.
- Purchase a reloadable prepaid Visa card. This card tops the list as one of my favorite budgeting management tools. Not only can I load a predetermined amount of funds onto my card, it also helps me to manage how I spend, without overspending. Typically, I will use a reloadable Visa card to purchase my groceries. Each week I load a set amount of money onto my card and I know that is all I can spend. On the other hand, if you use a typical credit card, you may risk overspending because you feel like you can. “I can always pay it back later”! - sound familiar? Using a reloadable prepaid VISA card is also a great way to save and budget for next year's holiday expenditures.
I want to Seek Adventure through Travelling.
This resolution can also be somewhat ambitious. When you plan a trip you need to think about several things like your budget, where you will stay, and what to pack. The last thing you want to worry about is carrying around multiple credit and debit cards to pay for food and merchandise. Instead, take the Canada Post Cash Passport Prepaid Mastercard and travel worry free. This card holds up to 7 different currencies and can be used in over 45 countries. So before you go on vacation, you can load the required foreign funds onto your account! What’s more, you’re covered by Visa’s zero liability policy in case you misplace your travel card. Escaping Canada’s harsh winter suddenly sounds even better. Visit a Canada Post location near you to pick one up.
Remember, the New Year is full of opportunities, so seize them.