Money Resolutions You Can Actually Use

This time of the new year, resolutions have yet to be broken. In fact, most of us still believe we'll make ours stick. Optimism rules the day. What do you have to be optimistic about in your financial life? Are you saving for a goal? Did you dial back your holiday spending so your credit card bills won't be too shocking? Maybe you're following through on a plan to donate more money and volunteer more time during the year.

Take Action Tips for Today

• Boost your score – Your credit rating is one of those numbers it pays to understand. Maybe this is the year you make the effort to raise your credit rating.
• Prepare for college costs – If you know any high school seniors, you know that January is FAFSA month. Submit that financial aid application now. You have until June, but it's wise to get going, due to the first-come, first-served principle. It doesn't cost anything to apply for aid, but it could mean a lot to your bottom line once the tuition bills start to hit. Get FAFSA tips.
• Organize your paperwork – "Out with the old, in with the new." You usually hear that phrase bantered about this time every year. It works well in reference to financial paperwork too. Except, what if you don't know which documents you can toss and what you're supposed to keep? This checklist may help.
• Search for a job – If you will be looking for a new job in 2012, check out our free online job transition resources. There are eight self-directed modules that teach the basics on resumes and informational interviews. And there are helpful tips on topics like using social networking to your advantage and negotiating a salary once the job offer is made. Go to free job resources.
• Find balance in your spending – Have you ever gone on a diet and actually gained weight? Against all logic it's easy to do. Similar things are known to happen with budgeting. You track your spending, develop a bill-pay method to avoid late fees, understand your income and outgo, and then BAM, you wake up after a spending spree. It happens, but don't use that as an excuse to walk away from the progress you've made. This balanced spending worksheet (PDF, 622K) might help.
• Talk to your parents – It's not easy to think about a conversation with your parents about their future, but now is the time. We have resources you can use, including a checklist to provide peace of mind. Learn more.
• Stop and save – This year, what will you change in your financial life? And what will that change be worth? This Do One Thing calculator will tally the savings you will have if you simply stop doing one thing.

• If you have resolved to learn more about your money situation this year, we have free workshops on a range of topics in your community. Find an event in your area.
• If you're looking for ways to save money here or be smarter there, go to free daily tips. There's a new tip every day of the month especially for your age bracket.

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