17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (2024)

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (1)

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (2)

The CGS Team

Happy New Year! Are you as shocked as the CGS Team to see another year upon us? Time is flying and there’s no better time than now to start doing the right things for yourself, and especially your finances! The New Year is always a great time to start fresh and form positive habits for the year ahead. Today, we’re sharing 17 things that you should be doing for your finances this year. If you are doing some of these things already, keep it up and see where you can improve! If you aren’t doing some or any of the items on this list, start immediately (like, today)!

#1: Set a Budget

If you don’t have a budget, or have an off-on plan, create a budget you can stick to.

#2: Track Your Spending

#3: Contribute to a 401k

#4: Open an IRA

Whether you are already doing number 3 or not, make 2017 a year where you set your future-self up for the best retirement possible. Even if it’s as little as $25 a month, open an IRA or Target Date Fund and start an additional (or initial) retirement savings.

#5: Switch to a High-Yield Savings Account

#6: Save $25 each week (at least)

#7: Set Financial Goals

#8: Start Your Emergency Fund

In addition to #6, finally start your emergency savings. Open a savings account (we recommend a high-yield account like those at online banks such as Ally, American Express Bank and Synchrony) that will only be used in case of emergency. Start putting a consistent amount of money away each paycheck into this emergency account.

#9: Pay More than the Minimum on Your Debts

#10: Seek Help

If you can’t pay more than the minimum on your debts, can’t seem to stop shopping or using credit, or don’t know how to budget, seek help! City Girl Savings offers personal finance coaching and consulting for women to help them build the positive money habits they need to be successful in life. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. You won’t get better until you know better! Schedule a free call with Raya today!.

#11: Learn about Finance

#12: Start Investing

#13: Make More Money

Easier said than done right? Regardless of how you do it (selling clothes, taking on a second job, or starting a business), make it a point to make more money this year than simply what your job offers. Put yourself in a position to start making more money so that you can save for everything you need and want.

#14: Cut Costs

#15: Save for Your Wants

Make 2017 the year of control! Take control of your impulse spending and resist the urge to just drop cash on something you want in that instant. If you truly want something, save for it! Plan your purchases ahead of time so that you aren’t strapped for cash or hurting your budget.

#16: Stop Using Credit

#17: Don’t Compare Your Financial Situation to Others

Unless you have secret insight into another person’s bank and credit card statements, you never really know what a person does or doesn’t have. In 2017, avoid (at all costs) comparing your financial situation to someone else’s. Not only does this distract you from what you need to be doing, it’s really a waste of time. You will never know what a person’s account looks like, no matter what their social media may say!

Alright ladies, 2017 should be an amazing financial year for all of us! The 17 changes listed above are not as hard as they sound! While it does take some effort on your part, you can have an amazing financial year if you put your mind to it! Set yourself up for greatness today. What are some of the changes you plan on making to your finances in 2017? Leave a comment below to share!

-The CGS Team

1 thought on “17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017”

  1. 17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (3)

    Paulette Wilson Jernigan

    January 18, 2017 at 11:31 am

    If you are running out of space in your home and closet. It’s time to stop purchasing more items that you don’t need. Learn to use and enjoy all the things you already have. More doesn’t mean Happy its just More!!!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Related Posts

Investing

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (5)

#117: 6 Signs You’re Ready to Start Investing

Read More »

Savings

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (7)

Shifting from a Spending Mindset to a Savings Mindset

Read More »

Budgeting

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (9)

5 Pet Costs to Factor Into Your Budget

Read More »

Credit

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (11)

5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Credit

Read More »

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (2024)

FAQs

What is the 50 30 20 saving method? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What is the 30 day rule? ›

The premise of the 30-day savings rule is straightforward: When faced with the temptation of an impulse purchase, wait 30 days before committing to the buy. During this time, take the opportunity to evaluate the necessity and impact of the purchase on your overall financial goals.

When might the 50 30 20 rule not be the best saving strategy to use? ›

Some Experts Say the 50/30/20 Is Not a Good Rule at All. “This budget is restrictive and does not take into consideration your values, lifestyle and money goals. For example, 50% for needs is not enough for those in high-cost-of-living areas.

How do you budget money at 18? ›

50/30/20 rule — This rule budgets your money based on the following percentages: 50% for necessary expenses, 30% for other expenses and 20% for savings. You can alter these percentages to fit your needs, and if you don't have many expenses, you may want to contribute more toward savings.

What is the 75 25 saving method? ›

The money advice that resonated with Shaq is geared toward savings: “It's not about how much you make, it's about how much you keep,” Shaq says. “Save 75% of your earnings and put it away. Use the other 25% as you please.” After all, more money doesn't necessarily equal more wealth.

What is the 50 15 5 easy trick for saving and spending? ›

50 - Consider allocating no more than 50 percent of take-home pay to essential expenses. 15 - Try to save 15 percent of pretax income (including employer contributions) for retirement. 5 - Save for the unexpected by keeping 5 percent of take-home pay in short-term savings for unplanned expenses.

How do you avoid wash sales? ›

To avoid a wash sale, you could replace it with a different ETF (or several different ETFs) with similar but not identical assets, such as one tracking the Russell 1000 Index® (RUI). That would preserve your tax break and keep you in the market with about the same asset allocation.

What is the wash rule for the IRS? ›

A wash sale occurs when an investor sells a security at a loss and then purchases the same or a substantially similar security within 30 days, before or after the transaction. This rule is designed to prevent investors from claiming capital losses as tax deductions if they re-enter a similar position too quickly.

What are the 90 days rule? ›

What is the 90-day rule? The 90-day rule refers to a presumption that a nonimmigrant visa holder made a willful misrepresentation at admission or application for a nonimmigrant visa when that nonimmigrant enters the U.S. and within 90 days engages in conduct that is not allowed with their nonimmigrant status.

Can you live off $1000 a month after bills? ›

Bottom Line. Living on $1,000 per month is a challenge. From the high costs of housing, transportation and food, plus trying to keep your bills to a minimum, it would be difficult for anyone living alone to make this work. But with some creativity, roommates and strategy, you might be able to pull it off.

What is the best way to split money when saving? ›

A 50 30 20 budget divides your monthly income after tax into three clear areas.
  1. 50% of your income is used for needs.
  2. 30% is spent on any wants.
  3. 20% goes towards your savings.

What kind of money counts as income? ›

Taxable income includes wages, salaries, bonuses, and tips, as well as investment income and various types of unearned income.

How can I be financially smart? ›

7 financial habits to help make you smarter with your money
  1. Automate whatever you can. Automate your savings, automate your loan repayments, automate your bills. ...
  2. Have specific, meaningful goals. ...
  3. Invest. ...
  4. Don't spend that unexpected cash. ...
  5. Prioritise high interest debt. ...
  6. Track your spending. ...
  7. Learn however you can.

How to live on your own? ›

10 Tips To Help You Live On Your Own For The First Time
  1. Create a Budget and Stick To It.
  2. Become Self Reliant.
  3. Try to Meet New People.
  4. Get to Know Your Neighbors.
  5. Learn to Cook.
  6. Get Into the Habit of Cleaning Up.
  7. Go Out.
  8. Get a Pet.
Dec 1, 2020

How can a 17 year old save money? ›

To make saving easier for teens, help them create a specific and measurable goal that allows them to separate their spending money from the money they want to save. Once they have this, it can help to use a savings calculator. This will help your teen determine how long it'll take to save for a specific goal.

Does the 50 30 20 rule work? ›

The 50/30/20 rule can be a good budgeting method for some, but it may not work for your unique monthly expenses. Depending on your income and where you live, earmarking 50% of your income for your needs may not be enough.

What is the disadvantage of the 50 30 20 rule? ›

It may not work for everyone. Depending on your income and expenses, the 50/30/20 rule may not be realistic for your individual financial situation. You may need to allocate a higher percentage to necessities or a lower percentage to wants in order to make ends meet. It doesn't account for irregular expenses.

What is the 50 25 25 rule in saving? ›

The 50/25/25 saving rule is an incredibly useful guideline to help manage your finances and ensure that you're putting away enough money each month. This rule suggests that you allocate half of your income to essential expenses, a quarter to discretionary spending, and another quarter to savings.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 5598

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.