While Friday the 13th might be on your mind, there are bigger news stories to consider! As a nonprofit credit counseling agency, ACCC knows that the economy never sleeps. Plus, the new year is about to start. So check out the latest December financial news headlines and what’s to come in 2020.
ACCC has the scoop on the latest December financial news.
The Latest December Financial News Headlines
Hopefully, your holiday shopping is complete and you’re cruising on easy street. Now is a great time to catch up on the news.
Here are 4 headlines to read through in our latest Weekly Round-Up:
- “Is now a good time to buy a house? Economists say yes as the Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady” by USA Today
- “Jobless claims suddenly jumped to a two-year high” by CNN
- “Noonday Collection founder on consumer push for conscious purchasing” by Yahoo! Finance
- “American counties with the best and worst economic growth” by Fox News
Setting Financial Goals for the New Year
The new year is the perfect time to set some really great personal finance goals. And if the latest December financial news inspired you to buy a house or start saving, even better!
To create a really good goal, focus on making them SMART. Let’s say you want to work on debt reduction. Here is an example of what your SMART goal should look like:
S = Specific; I will pay off $5k in unsecured consumer debt
M = Measurable; I will set aside $100 per month for that payment
A = Achievable; I can achieve this if I cut back on my expenses, my cable TV and my cell phone bill
R = Realistic; Instead of buying books or renting movies I will use my local library and attend free events
T = Timely; I will have my credit card debt paid off in 30 months
Be Accountable
Writing down your goals is extremely important for your chances of accomplishing those goals. Not only are you bringing your goals into clear focus outside of your brain, but they exist for others to see as well. Debt reduction isn’t an easy feat; having someone in your corner can go a long way, although it may be hard to admit your debt publicly.
Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page or consider having an accountability partner. A partner can be there to keep you honest and on track, provide encouragement, and celebrate with you!
Follow these three steps to make the most out of your financial goal planning.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Sign up for a free credit counseling session today.
