She Strengthens

Reflecting on Our Goals: Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

As the year comes to a close, it’s natural to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. While some of us may be divided on the idea of New Year’s resolutions, we can all agree that setting goals can be a powerful tool for holding ourselves accountable and making progress.

The Power of Tracking Progress

For Holly, our Head of Content, using a planner was a game-changer. By tracking her expenses and scheduling “no spend days,” she was able to save for her wedding and build an emergency fund with her husband. She also used her planner to track her exercise routine, finding that visualizing her progress was a powerful motivator.

Finding Time for Yourself

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to get caught up in our screens. Lauren, our Designer & Co-Founder, made a resolution to read a book a month, craving time to unplug and focus on herself. She’s proud to say that she’s read 10 books so far this year, and is determined to finish two more before the year ends.

Combining Finances with Your Partner

For Annie, our COO & Publisher, combining finances with her partner was a major goal this year. After getting married, they decided to open a joint checking account, contributing half of their incomes each month to cover shared expenses. They also kept their own retirement and savings accounts, finding a system that works for them.

Finding Flexibility in Goal-Setting

Not everyone is a fan of New Year’s resolutions. Rachel, our Social Media Manager, prefers to set goals throughout the year, avoiding the pressure that can come with making resolutions on January 1st. This year, she opened two new savings accounts, one for vacations and one for miscellaneous items, finding that separating her money has reduced her stress and made her feel more organized.

Taking Control of Your Finances

Whether you’re setting goals for the new year or simply looking to take control of your finances, having the right tools can make all the difference. M&T Bank’s Money Smart Tool and Relationship Savings account can help you manage your money, track your progress, and stay on top of your goals. By taking the time to reflect on our goals and progress, we can learn valuable lessons about ourselves and our habits, and make meaningful changes to live better with what we have.