2020 is officially here. As the new year begins, it’s good practice to have a yearly review as well as a plan moving forward. As a nonprofit credit counseling agency, ACCC is here to share some insights. Let’s take a look at a few personal finance articles to help your efforts.
Here’s American Consumer Credit Counseling’s yearly review.
Yearly Review Articles + What’s Ahead in 2020
Fortunately, there are plenty of quality articles that contain yearly reviews and what’s good in the new year! Below are several headlines covering a variety of financial topics. Filing taxes, buying a home and the stock market are some of the areas covered.
- Apple and Microsoft contributed the most to the market’s big year and no other stocks were close by CNBC
- Don’t start your taxes until you get these 4 documents by USA Today
- Thinking of buying a home in 2020? Read this first by CNN
- The best sectors of 2019: Tech, comm. services, industrials by Yahoo! Finance
- 6 New State Laws You Should Know About In 2020 by NPR
As you read through this list, take time to think about where your finances have been and where you want them to go. Additionally, make sure you are being clear, specific and realistic with your goals. Write them down and outline each one in detail.
Creating SMART Financial Goals for 2020
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. These are the qualities that your financial goal should have. Let’s explain each of these traits using examples…
Specific: I will pay off $5,000 in unsecured debt.
Measurable: I will apply at least $100 each month to that debt.
Achievable: I can achieve this if I cut back on my cable, mobile phone service, and other discretionary spending.
Relevant/Realistic: I need to reduce my debt to apply more money to savings and future goals.
Timely: I will pay off this debt in 30 months.
Taking time to commit to your goals is an important first step. Best of luck in 2020!
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
