The first day of a new year is the perfect time to set financial goals and make financial resolutions. We can all think of a million reasons to put off setting financial goals. Perhaps you set financial goals last year and now, here you are one year later, and you are no better off financially than you were 365 days ago. Or perhaps you feel your financial situation is just too “broken” and no amount of goal setting can fix the problem. Well, today is the day to push the excuses aside. Yes, today is the day to set financial goals and establish financial resolutions in order to gain control of your finances.

The first step is to think about what you would like to achieve financially. Do you need to start saving for a particular event such as a child’s college education or a new vehicle? Do you need to start saving for your retirement? Perhaps you have credit card debt that needs to be paid? Consider your long-term goals as well as your short-term goals. Do you need to save money for your summer vacation? Do you need to save money for your daughter’s high school prom or graduation in May? Identify your goals and write them down. Even if you only have a few goals, writing them down on paper is an important step. You need to see your goals everyday. I have created a financial goal sheet for you to print and use.

The second step is to post your goal sheet in a place where you will see it everyday. You have heard the saying “out of sight, out of mind” and this is very true for financial goals as well. If you tuck your goal sheet away in a drawer you will completely forget about your goals. Before you know it summer will be here and you won’t have a dime saved for your vacation. So, right now, hang your goal sheet in a prominent place.

Now, take a step back and look at what you have accomplished so far. By identifying and writing down your goals you are off to a great start in getting your finances in order. Pat yourself on the back. You are doing great! This is going to be YOUR year! Go to your kitchen and fix yourself a mug of steaming coffee or hot cocoa and then come back to the computer and we will get started on the next step: Setting Financial Resolutions.