It’s hard to believe, but half the year has already passed. How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? Do they seem too daunting? Perhaps they may not be if you break them up into smaller steps and take action on the first ones. Here are some ideas to kick-start you on the path to achieving your goals this year:
Resolution #1: I want to improve my health.*
Whether that goal means losing weight, eating better, reducing risk factors for disease or lessening stress, many people have remarked to me that this year has brought no meaningful changes to their health and overall well-being. To them, I say take a couple small steps toward your goal, and you’ll be on your way.
- Small Step #1: Think about going for a walk every day. You can start improving physical activity levels by walking each day, ideally after a meal. Even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can find ways to walk more. Try the mall (but don’t impulse buy while you’re there).
- Small Step #2: Consider adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. As you change what you eat, your tastes will begin to change too, and cravings for sugar-rich, processed, fatty foods will diminish. Ask your health professional for some ideas for more nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.
Resolution #2: I want to improve my financial situation.
This goal can range from paying down debts levels to organizing your estate for the next generation. Wherever you are in the wealth spectrum, you can commit to action.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
- Small Step #1: Lay out a budget statement, including all expenditures, assets and liabilities. Just doing this mentally isn’t good enough: Make sure you write it down on paper. It will help to organize your thoughts and then your actions.
- Small Step #2: Talk to your financial professionals. Your financial adviser, accountant and attorney can all help you gain some perspective.
Resolution #3: I want to improve my overall happiness.
Are you as happy as you could be right now? What are some ways in which you could be happier?
- Small Step #1: Call some friends and get together. For some people life can be less fun when led in solitude. Take comfort in your friends and loved ones, and talk about how to help each other.
- Small Step #2: Take stock of what you have, do and believe. Happiness is a state of mind, and figuring out where the gaps are from where you are and where you want to be will help you uncover how to make the transitions.
* This newsletter is being provided for informational purposes only and is not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your personal condition, as well as, prior to beginning any diet or exercise regimen.
-
What Dave Ramsey and Caleb Hammer Taught Me About Handling MoneyFrom Ramsey’s strict discipline to Hammer’s blunt reality checks, their lessons reveal how to save, invest and prepare for the future.
-
Dismal August Jobs Report Offers Rate-Cut Relief: What the Experts Are SayingThe August jobs report came in much lower than expected, lifting the odds that several rate cuts will come through by year's end.
-
Greed, Fear and Market Volatility: A Financial Adviser's Guide to Keeping Emotions Out of Investment DecisionsDon't panic! And don't be so confident in the stock market that you overlook risk. Instead, be logical. Your retirement security could depend on it.
-
Want a Financial Adviser Who Shares Your Faith? Look for One With a CKA DesignationFinancial professionals with a Certified Kingdom Advisor certification are committed to integrating biblical principles with sound financial advice.
-
10 Ways to Stay Safe From Grandparent Scams and Other Fraud, Courtesy of a Financial PlannerScams are increasingly hard to detect, and anyone can be fooled, from older people to educated professionals. Here are 10 ways to avoid becoming a victim.
-
This Is How the Student Loan Bubble Is Primed to Pop, From a Student Funding ExpertFueled by easy money, inflated tuition and high default rates, the student loan bubble mirrors the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. We could be headed for a potential financial collapse. What can we do?
-
More Than Money: The Hidden Toll of Financial Abuse of Older AdultsFinancial abuse from schemes involving tech support, government impostors, false sweepstakes, grandchild hoaxes and online shopping issues can cause thousands of dollars in losses.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Here Are Three High-Impact Ways to Make a Difference With Your DollarsThe world often feels out of control, but here are three ways to use your money — through investments, charitable giving and political donations — to help create a more just and sustainable future.
-
The Unsung Hero of Aisle 5: A Tale of Forgotten Change and Compassion at the SupermarketThis supermarket manager went above and beyond to help when a child forgot her change at the checkout counter. You might be surprised at some of the complications that supermarkets face when it comes to customers' forgotten change.
-
Train, Integrate, Retain: A Strategic Playbook for Adviser OnboardingsBuild a thriving practice by training new advisers with clear goals, structured processes and consistent mentorship for strong team growth.
