This time of year can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very busy and overwhelming. This blog will detail some ways to make the most of the holiday season while also enjoying yourself and preparing for the new year.
Practicing gratitude can improve your mood and help with overspending. Make a list of all the items and things in your life you do have, instead of all the items you want. This will help shift the focus to all that you do have and can help with unnecessary spending. Keeping a gratitude journal is a helpful way of practicing this; sit down several times a week to write down the people and things you appreciate and why.
Another way to celebrate the holiday season is by practicing acts of kindness. Some simple ways of doing this include volunteering, donating to local charities and toy or food drives, and gifting a small surprise like cookies to a neighbor or friend. While these acts of kindness help others, they will also increase your mood and gratitude! Find volunteer opportunities and learn more about Maine nonprofits making an impact!
This time of year, is also a good time to evaluate what your goals are for the new year. Establishing New Year’s resolutions can be tricky, especially if they’ve been hard to stick to in the past. Instead of picking lots of goals and getting overwhelmed, decide on one or two important goals and focus on them completely. “Think through how you want to accomplish your resolution and how long it might take to reach your goal.” 1 Also make sure you set specific goals. If you want to save more money, look at your budget and analyze what is realistic for you to save each month. Setting a concrete goal will help in creating and sticking to a habit. It takes a while to establish a habit. “A 2009 study found that on average, it takes 66 days to form a new habit. Be patient with yourself. If you have minor setbacks or don’t hit your goal one week, pick it back up the next week.”1
December is also a good time to reevaluate your budget and establish a budget for the new year. If you need some help kickstarting your budget in the new year, check out this blog about budgeting. This time of year can also be challenging financially. The State of Maine also offers many different financial assistance options.
TruChoice is here to help with all your financial needs. We are happy to help with budgeting, perform a free credit score analysis, and customize our approach to your specific financial situation and goals. Reach out today!
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