10 Steps To Achieving The Life You Want In 2016

1. Review your 2015.

Acknowledge the good and bad in career, family, money, health, friends, fun, and any other area important to you. What accomplishments are you proudest of, what habits did you master, and what techniques worked for you? On the flip side, what would you like to improve upon, where did you fall short, and what priorities languished? Why were you able to accomplish what you did, and why did you fail in other areas?

While I was proud of several work accomplishments, including this magazine feature, I spent too much of the year running from one thing to the next, leaving me less time and energy for activities like exercise that keep me feeling balanced. Not being home for long stretches, I also wasn’t cultivating relationships in the way I wanted. But most importantly, because I was focusing on the next deadline, I kept putting off important long-term goals. And considering that one of these will take up several of my 40 working years, I couldn’t wait to tackle it any longer.

2. Set specific, measurable and time-bound goals.

Based on what you learned from last year, come up with new goals for 2016. What would be the next great step for each of last year’s accomplishments? For instance, if you ran a half-marathon in 2015, maybe try a full marathon now. And when you look at your failures, what can you try this year to hit your targets?

If you’re uncertain of where to go next, talk things over with a friend or loved one. A former coworker asked me to be her accountability buddy for 2016. At the start of our first meeting, I had not yet set my goals, but talking with her about some of the questions I was facing helped me formulate my priorities and a plan for reaching them within the hour.

When crafting your goals, make them specific and measurable and set a deadline or time frame on them. Instead of saying “I’m going to exercise more,” decide what type of exercise you will pursue, and how often you will do it per unit of time or what measurable goal you want to hit by a certain deadline — “I will run five miles three times a week,” or “I will run a marathon by year’s end.”

3. Prioritize the goals without deadlines.

Now, highlight the objectives that don’t come with deadlines. Anything marked urgent will always get done, but you may have other goals — such as spending more time with your aging parents or working on that novel that no editor is currently demanding — that won’t get checked off unless you prioritize them yourself.

For me, I decided to make several non-urgent goals my top five priorities, including that one I had been putting off for years.

If you’re looking for strategies to use to accomplish your goals, pick up these tips for performing at your peak every day and check out these surefire ways to boost your productivity. If you feel that a huge chunk of your day is being frittered away on email, learn how to limit the time it takes up. And if you’re looking for tips on time management, read this expert’s strategies.

Money Hacks: An eBook From Forbes 
Meet the superstar savers, ordinary people who accomplished amazing financial feats—like retiring at age 30.

4. Identify your excuses — and come up with mantras to overcome them.

My 2015 review revealed that often what held me back was my own mental framing. For instance, I felt I had no time to work on that big project, but I know I waste plenty of time on Facebook or, as Aziz Ansari might say, the millionth page of the worst book (the Internet). I decided to tackle that one project in 10-minute chunks every day. By the end of each week, I would have spent more than an hour on that project. I came up with a new mantra — “No work is more urgent than Project X” — to remind myself that in the grand scheme of my life, Project X is more important than any everyday article I might be writing.

When you look at dreams that you haven’t yet accomplished, determine what excuses led to those failures. How can you change your mindset so you feel inspired to tackle them?

5. Get an accountability buddy or other system for logging your progress.

Knowing that I have to report back to somebody on my goals has already prompted me to check off small tasks for big projects that I’ve been putting off for years. I also installed a mobile app (Productive on iOS) on which I log small achievements, such as meditating, doing yoga, or spending 10 minutes on that big project. The satisfaction I get from checking these off gives me motivation to keep going.

6. Make sure your financial habits support your goals.

How we spend our time takes us closer to or further away from our dreams, and the way we spend our money does the same. How did you manage your finances in 2015? Were your spending and saving in line with your goals and priorities? Or did they not support the life you want to lead?

If you’re looking for a quick, 10-step process for getting on the right track with spending, saving, debt and earning more, check out these tips. Also, make sure you’re not making these 13 money mistakes. If you want to make sure you’re on the right path for your stage in life, read this financial checklist.

If earning is a big priority for you, get inspiration from this list of 44 ways to make more money, and learn the 10 mistakes not to make when asking for a raise. If you have a lot of debt, use this plan to get out of it once and for all. If you need to pay down debt and contribute to retirement, read this guide on prioritizing between the two. If you’re considering grad school, figure out whether it makes financial sense for you. If you’re miserable in your job but feel trapped by the money, come up with a plan for getting out.

7. Declutter.

To further this feeling of a new start, I’ve been decluttering, which is another way to earn extra money. Since I got back from my last trip in November, I’ve given away six garbage bags full of stuff, and recycled many bags of old magazines and papers. Having more breathing space at home leaves me energy I would rather use for my work and personal life.

8. Come up with a health or fitness plan that supports the lifestyle you want.

You’ll be better able to accomplish your goals with your body and mind in top working order. Figure out what health and fitness routine will keep you in optimal shape. I’ve started meditating using the popular Headspace app. The fact that it’s on my phone is already making it easier for me to stick to a practice I’ve been trying to cultivate for years.

My review of 2015 also made me acutely aware that by neglecting my body, I ended up having to spend more time and money to fix all the ailments that cropped up from working too much. I’ve already gotten back into my yoga routine and and have more energy to get through my day.

9. Make room for fun in your life. 

Ultimately, the point of setting goals, making ourselves more productive and monitoring our finances is so that we can enjoy our lives. (Plus, a diversity of experiences gives the brain the nutrients it needs to function at its best.) I thought that my 2015 was too focused on work, and so I have more consciously prioritized relationships and hobbies. I’ve taken up ukulele and rock climbing and I’m already enjoying the feeling of stretching my mental and physical muscles.

10. Acknowledge your victories.

Finally, celebrate it all. As I’ve said before, “what you focus your mind on grows bigger.” So bring more happiness into your life by thinking about positive events and not dwelling on negative ones that will soon be in the past. Creativity author Elizabeth Gilbert suggests writing down your happiest moment of the day. Writing a gratitude list also helps you appreciate big and small wonderful things in your life. Focusing on what goes right will give you the energy you need to breeze past your goals in 2016.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2016/01/06/10-steps-to-achieving-the-life-you-want-in-2016/

16 Savvy Ways to Save Money Every Month

Spending money has become so easy, that many of us wonder where all of it goes every month. We can be laying in bed with nothing but our cell phones and are able to do some serious damage to our credit card bills in as little as 2 minutes. Little things here and there may not seem to make much of a dent, but over time, it can turn into a lot more money than you intended. What’s worse is that many times these hundreds and thousands of dollars being wasted are completely avoidable, if we just paid slightly more attention to them.

While it may seem like it isn’t a huge deal, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, Americans spend up to 80% of their income each year, with 15% of that being spent on nonessential items. Source

Have no fear though, there are ways you can turn this around without any added income. You don’t have to completely give up your purchasing habits either in order to see big changes in your financial status. In fact, here are 16 savvy ways you can save money right away.  

1. Check your bank statements. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t keep track of their spending, nor do they check their bank statements each month. Maybe this is something you’ve been guilty of in the past, but you could be wasting excess money and not even know it. I’d be willing to bet you’d be horrified at the amount of money you’ve wasted on payments you didn’t even know you were making. Companies have been known to tack on unknown fees or at times, charge you in error. You know that gym membership you cancelled 3 months ago? You may still be getting charged. Did you accidentally go over your limit for the day? Watch out for those bank fees! Checking your bank statement each month can save you hundreds of dollars every month!
2. Hit the ATM. Swiping a credit card has made spending money as plausible as walking these days. In fact, you don’t even NEED your credit card in order to use it in a growing number of places. You can now spend money with the mere scan of your phone! To save money, become your own financial advisor. Figure out, roughly, what you’ll need for the week. Give yourself a small cushion for emergencies, but otherwise, pull out only enough cash for the week and use it wisely. When the cash runs out, so does your spending.
3. Make sure your wifi is on! This is a relatively new problem for many of us, but we all cringe when we see a cell phone bill with added data charges. While it can be a real pain in the neck, it is also an easily avoidable problem. Make sure your Wi-Fi is always turned on, and if you’re planning on being somewhere for a while where you’ll be using your phone, don’t be afraid to ask for the Wi-Fi password. Most establishments will have no problem sharing their internet with you.
4. Hit Up Corporate Discounts. Many companies have some really sweet deals you may not know about. Set a meeting with your HR department to see what’s available. Many companies will offer to pay for all or part of a gym membership, offer hotel discounts or benefits, and even subsidize cell phone payment plans.
5. Use a budget tracking app. There are now multiple apps you can download onto your smartphone (like Mint, which is very trusted and recognizable) that will connect all of your bank accounts and track your spending. They do a great job of categorizing where your money is going and will give you an accurate reading on the pulse of your financial status.
6. Make your first cup of coffee at home. At $3-$5/cup, coffee can add up extremely quickly. By switching to having your morning coffee at home, you’ll save over $100 every month. That’s $1,200/year in just coffee!
7. Pay down your credit cards! As of January 2014, Americans owed a total of $856.9 billion in credit card debt according to the American Household Credit Card Debt Statistics. While at times it isn’t possible, making the minimum balance each month and living within your means will drastically change your financial situation for the better. Credit Card interest payments can accumulate to tens of thousands of dollars per year or more!
8. Separate your bank accounts. Many of us have multiple bank accounts, but what about multiple checking accounts? Instead of keeping your spendable money all in one place, split your bank accounts into two. Your first one will be where you keep the majority of your money and the second will be your spendable money. Leave only what you need in your spendable account and do your best not to transfer money throughout the month. This will help you to think twice about purchases.
9. Cut Down. Do you have more than one gym membership, multiple streaming services, and other random autopays that you probably don’t really need? Find at least one that you can cancel. $10/month may not seem like much, but over time it adds up.
10. Use coupon apps. There are several smart phone apps (i.e Retail Me Not) that collect coupon codes and gather information on store discounts so that you can access them all in one place. The next time you take a shopping trip, scope out any coupons you may be able to use during your outing. There are usually plenty of deals you can take advantage of that you otherwise wouldn’t have known about.
11. Skip the drinks and sides. It’s easy to go to a restaurant and spend much more money than you anticipated. A $15 entree can easily become a $40 bill if you’re not careful. One simple way to cut down on this is to skip the beverages (and just drink water), and cut down on the sides and appetizers. Check the menu to see what comes with the entree, and you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll save.
12. Check the prices at the grocery store. Instead of grabbing the brands you’re used to, see what brands have the best value for that week. This changes throughout the month, so it’s important to stay on top of it. This comes especially handy when purchasing products like toilet paper and paper towels. Check to see what’s on sale, and be sure to look closely at the labels, as they will usually tell you how much you’re paying per unit.
13. Wait One Day. If you see something online that you absolutely must have, make yourself wait at least one day before making the purchase. We almost always make buying decisions based on emotions, and sometimes when our logic kicks in, it tells us we actually don’t need that particular product or service. Sometimes you’ll end up purchasing that item anyways, but you’d be surprised at how often you’ll end up skipping it and saving the money for something else.
14. Make it Free. It’s simple to think of things to do that involve money, but what about activities that don’t cost anything? The next time you’re making plans with a friend, suggest going on a hike, taking a long walk, having a picnic in the park, or hosting a game night. These can all be great ways to have fun without spending any money.
15. Cut Down on Co-Pays. While it isn’t possible to predict all of the reasons you’d need to see a doctor, there are ways to spend less time in the waiting room and still get the care you need. For some prescriptions, your doctor is able to write you a 3 month prescription so that you don’t have to come in every month to get a new one. You can also ask to tack on your yearly physical during another appointment in order to avoid coming back again.
16. Do Your Holiday Shopping Off-Peak. Of course, we tend to think about Christmas shopping near Christmas time, and the same goes for Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Halloween. Instead of buying gifts, cards, and decorations during peak times, wait until after the holiday has passed and prepare yourself early for the next year! Holiday items always go on clearance the day after the holiday has passed, so you’ll be sure to save big bucks!http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2016/01/05/16-savvy-ways-to-save-money-every-month/

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