She Strengthens

New Year, New You: Achieving Goals with Simple yet Effective Strategies

As we bid adieu to another year, many of us are eager to set new goals and make positive changes in our lives. While it’s true that making big life changes based on a specific calendar date may seem arbitrary, there’s something comforting about using January as a fresh start.

This year, I achieved several impressive milestones, including saving thousands of dollars, taking over 150 exercise classes, and reading 25 books – more than double my previous year’s total! So, how did I accomplish all of this? The answer lies in using a simple yet effective tool: a paper planner.

Intrigued by the idea that others may have similar success stories, I reached out to our community on Twitter to hear about their strategies for achieving financial and savings goals in 2019. Here are some of the most inspiring and practical tips that resonated with me:

Multiple Bank Accounts and Automation

Taryn swears by setting up multiple bank accounts at separate banks, with various direct deposits to help her reach her savings goals. Sydney takes it a step further by paying herself first, allocating a portion of her paycheck to separate savings and checking accounts.

The Power of Spreadsheets and Vision Boards

Maggie is a self-proclaimed spreadsheet enthusiast, using them to track her savings goals, baking goals, and fitness goals. Hailey, on the other hand, credits creating a vision board for helping her think about long-term plans and stay focused on her objectives.

Budgeting and Accountability

Becoming a YNAB (You Need a Budget) zealot and having weekly budget meetings with her partner helped Haley stay on track. Briana emphasizes the importance of telling her significant other about her money goals to increase accountability.

Micro-Goals and Visual Reminders

Katie uses post-it notes on her closet door to break down larger projects into smaller, achievable goals. Tarisa’s coffee machine purchase may seem insignificant, but it’s helped her save $14 per week.

Investing and Tracking Progress

Aiem invests half of her allowance in an investment account on the first of every month, ensuring she only spends what she has. Carina credits having a budget and tracking her spending for helping her reach her goal of a fully-funded emergency fund.

Other Creative Strategies

From using a Bear focus timer app to stay productive (Drea) to telling Siri to remind her of important tasks (CelePé), these individuals have found unique ways to stay motivated and focused. Edwin’s reward system, involving flavored tea, may seem simple, but it’s helped him stay on track with his school thesis.

As we embark on a new year, I hope these stories inspire you to find your own path to success. Remember, it’s not about grand gestures or revolutionary ideas – sometimes, it’s the simple, old-school approaches that yield the most impressive results.

Here’s to a joyful and productive 2020!