In 2019, we’re bringing back monthly financial challenges on Two Cents (you can see 2017’s version here). Each is meant to help us focus on a different aspect of our money, and, ideally, develop small changes into measurable differences in our financial lives.
These monthly challenges, though, aren’t focused on gimmicks or temporary, one-time changes, but on our holistic financial health. Rather than provide twelve discrete tasks, as in years past, this time, each month will build on the preceding months, offering us a better understanding of our entire financial lives by the end of the year.
Before we get to the juicy bits, though, we need to get the basics out of the way. We need to make sure we have a solid foundation off of which to build. This month, let’s see where things stand.
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/12/how-focusing-on-short-term-gains-will-help-you-reach-your-long-term-goals/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/rlfsnlyer0dlsau48hyq.jpg” title=”How Focusing On Short-Term Gains Will Help You Reach Your Long-Term Goals” excerpt=”While we’re thinking about money goals for 2019, one of your key considerations should be the small steps you can take each day or week to get you where you want to go.”]
Week 1: See Where You Stand
For the first week of this month’s challenge, we’re taking stock of our finances, and getting ready to implement changes. It might seem unnecessary, as we’ve spent a lot of time over the past few weeks planning and organising, but ideally, devoting a few hours’ time now means you’ll sacrifice less time later on. The goal is to set ourselves up for ongoing success, and that involves a bit of an investment upfront.
So, to get started, pick a date and time you can devote at least an hour (but likely longer) to looking over your finances. If you’re married or are in a committed partnership, your significant other should attend as well. You want a time that you won’t be interrupted, and you want to pick a setting that’s comfortable but also productive, like your kitchen or home office.
Then, create a balance sheet, as outlined here. You want to get a handle on your assets and liabilities so that you know your net worth, but also so you have a real grasp on where your money is going and how you’re saving and investing.
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/01/create-a-personal-finance-balance-sheet-to-see-where-you-stand/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/szduppiwifcyinhbvdur.jpg” title=”Create A Personal Finance Balance Sheet To See Where You Stand” excerpt=”If you’re planning a financial overhaul in 2019, one of the first things you need to do is figure out where you stand. And as advised by Kiplinger, one of the easiest ways to do that — and potentially discover possible cracks in your foundation in the process—is to create a balance sheet.”]
While you’re doing that, it should be no sweat to take it an extra step and organise your financial paperwork/passwords, so that everything is easy to find when you need it. I use Microsoft OneNote to organise my life, but others swear by Evernote, Google Keep or a plan ol’ Google doc. Find the one that works best for you.
After that, write down your monthly net income. That’s how much you’re taking home after taxes, savings, health care payments, etc. This should be fairly easy to find, on your paychecks. If your wage fluctuates week to week, approximate as best you can.
Then, and I bet you saw it coming, start tracking your spending. You can do this with an app, like Mint or Personal Capital, or with a more involved program like You Need a Budget. Personally, I’ve been using DollarBird lately, which is more hand-on than the other apps listed here and doesn’t connect to your bank account. In a perfect world you’d always have a handle on where your money is going, but that’s just not realistic for many people. But at least try to do so until the end of the month, and encourage your partner to as well.
Then, relax. You have the basics of your finances down on paper (or in an app), and you’re done with week one.
Week 2: Decide Which Area(s) Needs Work
Once you have a bird’s eye view of your finances, you can pinpoint pain spots and prioritise your goals. If you’re stuck deciding between adding more to an emergency fund or paying off credit card debt, for example, here’s a break down of what to do first.
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/11/how-to-get-your-finances-in-order/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/cgouywpchr82nbdnamoi.jpg” title=”How To Get Your Finances In Order” excerpt=”Should you pay off debt, or save for a rainy day? Knock out some of your HECS debt, or put some extra money toward your credit card debt? Focus on your savings account, or save for retirement?”]
If your finances are in relatively good standing, then here are some money moves to make in 2019 according to financial advisors. Again, if you have a partner or spouse, discuss what your goals are and which areas of your finances need the most love. Consider asking yourself these questions to figure out what it is, exactly, that you want:
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/09/questions-to-ask-yourself-to-live-a-better-financial-life/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/udi495lh5dqtlcslmvqn.jpg” title=”Questions To Ask Yourself To Live A Better Financial Life” excerpt=”While there are countless ways to get your finances in order, it all starts with learning what’s important to you and your family: What are your priorities, what are your values? Once you’ve established that, the steps you need to take should become more clear.”]
Then it’s time to read up. Are you interested in learning more about how much you need for retirement? Why you should invest? How to manage health care costs? There’s no shortage of information out there that you can bookmark and read throughout the week and following months. Here are some Lifehacker articles, depending on your goal:
Pay Off Debt
Invest Smarter
Save/Earn More Money
Buy a House
General Guidelines to Follow at Every Age
Week 3: Implement a Change
Now that you’ve done your research (and you’re still tracking your spending), it’s time to make a change. Depending on how you’re feeling and your financial situation, this could be small or large. But it should be a serious effort to make progress on one of your financial objectives.
Some ideas, based on different goals:
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Curb impulse spending: Institute a “72-hour” rule
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Curb impulse spending: Participate in a no-spend month
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Increase emergency savings: Automate weekly $50 transfer to savings
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Invest: Read up on the basics of investing and research fund options
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Invest: Learn how to diversify
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Invest: Find your investment fees and switch to lower-cost funds if needed
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Pay down debt: Write out a debt repayment plan and figure out how much you are paying in interest alone over the loan’s lifetime
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Pay down debt: Make one extra payment, no matter how small, toward your debt this month
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Pay down debt: Automate payments of more than the minimum
Take time to reflect on how you feel about accomplishing one concrete financial task this month.
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/12/how-to-improve-your-finances-by-1-in-2019/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/01/Pocket-Money-410×231.jpg” title=”How To (Realistically) Improve Your Finances In 2019″ excerpt=”One of time’s tested and true hacks is that to get better at anything, you need to start small. Whether your goal is to save $10,000 or $500, starting in small increments is the only way to attain it.
Going from $0 in savings to $1000 by cutting out everything you normally do each month isn’t sustainable; similarly, you likely can’t jump from the couch to the 5k finish line. But you can start with, say, $100 the first month, and a few laps around your neighbourhood.”]
Week 4: Keep It Up
Now that you know how easy it is to take steps toward bettering your financial future, keep it up in week four. Nothing drastic needs to happen this week; keep tracking your spending, keeping tabs on where your money is going. Consider tackling one more small financial to-do before we shift our focus.
Throughout the rest of the year you’ll reflect on where you’ve come since January and make the necessary adjustments. But, on to February, where we’ll tackle one of the biggest personal finance topics: Investing, and why the hell we should still be doing it in these uncertain times.
Next Month: Getting a handle on investing.
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