Wishing You a Prosperous New Year!
Happy New Year to all the amazing readers of my blog! As we step into 2019, my wish for you is to have a spectacular year filled with growth and financial enlightenment. I can hardly contain my excitement to assist you in tackling your personal finance queries! Yes, the trio of EXCITED, PERSONAL, and FINANCE can absolutely coexist! This time of year typically prompts us to reflect on the future and often inspires us to set ambitious goals. Although I’m not one for extensive planning (despite my commitment to do ten push-ups daily throughout 2018—random, right?), many of you have reached out, eager to declare, “Enough is enough, I'm taking control of my finances starting now!”
Seizing the Opportunity for Financial Reflection
As we enjoy a downtime from our busy work lives, traffic on The Happy Saver doesn’t wane; it actually surges! This is the perfect opportunity for you to pause, peruse, and formulate a tangible financial game plan. As I write, my mission is to share useful resources, tools, and insights that I utilize myself. Interestingly, I've been testing a personal finance platform for over a month, planning to provide a review this January. Though I'm not quite ready to share my full thoughts, the creators reached out with a timely reminder: many are actively seeking tools right now to revamp their finances—and they’ve provided me with a special discount code so you can explore PocketSmith at a reduced rate!
Your Path to Financial Clarity
Finding the right budgeting and tracking tool for YOU can be quite the challenge. Personal finance is just that—personal. Everyone approaches it a bit differently, but one common trait among those who thrive is their understanding of where their money flows. When I receive emails detailing various financial situations, one of my first suggestions is to start tracking expenses—something that might bore some or induce anxiety in others. However, it’s vital to recognize that you cannot enact meaningful changes or comprehend your financial landscape without this awareness. Back in April, I discussed the importance of tracking every cent. If you missed that post, feel free to check it out!
Discovering the Power of PocketSmith
Though my experience with PocketSmith is still unfolding, I've gathered enough insight to confidently endorse it as a robust solution for monitoring my income, expenditures, and savings. After the initial configuration, the automation is impressive—especially for those who might only manage to manually input data for a couple of weeks before losing motivation. PocketSmith seamlessly integrates your banking transactions, allowing you to set custom budgets, project future spending (so holiday surprises become a thing of the past), and visualize how your savings stack up against your expenses. It’s a clever tool from New Zealand, and I love supporting local businesses!
Exclusive New Year’s Offer!
So, here’s the scoop—PocketSmith is thrilled to roll out their New Year’s Promotion: get a fantastic 50% off your first two months of the Premium plan! This gives you ample time to see if it’s a good fit for your financial needs. Just a heads-up: I’m sharing an affiliate link, meaning I earn a small commission if you sign up through my link. After you’ve signed up and given it a whirl, I’d love to hear your feedback and experiences for my upcoming PocketSmith Part 2 post. Happy saving and financial clarity ahead!
Making Small Changes for Big Gains
Taking on large financial objectives, like eliminating debt or saving for a new home, can feel overwhelming. Instead, why not kick off 2019 by focusing on a simple change that could lead to significant financial benefits? Start by identifying one area where you could cut back on spending. Next, reflect on why you're feeling the need to alter this spending behavior. Do you think this introspective approach might enhance your success in sticking to your small change, more so than traditional New Year’s resolutions?
The Power of Curiosity in Financial Transformation
The answer is a resounding yes! Change may be difficult, but as per the insights of mindfulness expert Dr. Judson Brewer, curiosity can make the process enjoyable. To effectively change a habit, cultivate a sense of curiosity about its origins. In his research, Dr. Brewer encourages observing your impulses and pondering questions like: How does it feel? What ignites this urge? What satisfaction do you derive from it, and how sustainable is it?
Mindfulness Met with Financial Savvy
If you’ve already pinpointed a spending area where you’re overspending, you’re on the right track—no need to defend your desire for change. Take late fees, for instance. Reflect on why you habitually miss payments, causing those pesky penalties. From there, you can devise simple strategies—like scheduling timely payments when bills arrive. Voilà! You’ve just made a small but powerful adjustment.
Embracing Change Deliberately
Conventional wisdom suggests that achieving any goal requires relentless effort, but perhaps we can foster sustainable New Year’s resolutions by adopting a gentler approach! Begin tracking your spending and monitor the progress of your new small change using PocketSmith, an excellent resource for navigating your financial landscape. If you sign up through my link, you’ll enjoy an amazing discount on your first two months of PocketSmith Premium. Additionally, you’ll receive an email guide to support you in making your #SmallChangeBigGains!