We’ve done it, survived another year, made it to 2018. That means it’s time to take a look at our finances from 2017, and figure out where we want to be by the end of this year.

There are plenty of worthy financial resolutions to set for yourself in 2018, and plenty of fairly simple steps to help you achieve them. Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Know your interest rates: If you have debt (including student or credit card debt) you need to know how much it’s costing you. It’s nice to get those miles from your credit card purchases, but if you aren’t paying it off, your rewards card could be costing you up to 30% interest! There are ways to lower your interest rates on most loans. See about refinancing with Sierra Pacific or another trustworthy institution. We can get you a lower rate on most loans we offer. Right now, for example, we’re offering 1% interest on credit card balance transfers for the first year.
2. Watch Your Wallet: Make it a habit to check your accounts weekly. Not just the overall balances, but the individual purchases you made that week. Put them into categories, and suddenly you’re ready to budget! Our mobile app is easy to install and use, and apps like Mint can help you track spending across institutions. It’s good for your spending habits to remind yourself of what you bought, and it’s good for your security to keep a habitual eye on where your money is going.
3. Use Direct Deposit: Saving money is easier when that money never sees your checking account. It takes 5 minutes to adjust your Direct Deposit preferences with HR, and start sending a couple hundred bucks to a specific savings account each month. Emergency fund, retirement, major purchases in the near future… These are all great savings accounts to beef up. Start with a goal of $1000, and evaluate your needs from there.

These are good starter goals, to get you thinking about your finances. The biggest resolution is to get organized: have a plan for paying off debt, know how much you need to save to reach your goals, know where you’re spending money and where you can cut back, and if you need to boost your income to get where you want to be. We’re always willing to chat about your financial goals if you’d like to come in for an evaluation. Just call your branch and set up an appointment.