17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (2024)

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (1)

17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (2)

The CGS Team

Happy New Year! Are you as shocked as the CGS Team to see another year upon us? Time is flying and there’s no better time than now to start doing the right things for yourself, and especially your finances! The New Year is always a great time to start fresh and form positive habits for the year ahead. Today, we’re sharing 17 things that you should be doing for your finances this year. If you are doing some of these things already, keep it up and see where you can improve! If you aren’t doing some or any of the items on this list, start immediately (like, today)!

#1: Set a Budget

If you don’t have a budget, or have an off-on plan, create a budget you can stick to.

#2: Track Your Spending

#3: Contribute to a 401k

#4: Open an IRA

Whether you are already doing number 3 or not, make 2017 a year where you set your future-self up for the best retirement possible. Even if it’s as little as $25 a month, open an IRA or Target Date Fund and start an additional (or initial) retirement savings.

#5: Switch to a High-Yield Savings Account

#6: Save $25 each week (at least)

#7: Set Financial Goals

#8: Start Your Emergency Fund

In addition to #6, finally start your emergency savings. Open a savings account (we recommend a high-yield account like those at online banks such as Ally, American Express Bank and Synchrony) that will only be used in case of emergency. Start putting a consistent amount of money away each paycheck into this emergency account.

#9: Pay More than the Minimum on Your Debts

#10: Seek Help

If you can’t pay more than the minimum on your debts, can’t seem to stop shopping or using credit, or don’t know how to budget, seek help! City Girl Savings offers personal finance coaching and consulting for women to help them build the positive money habits they need to be successful in life. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. You won’t get better until you know better! Schedule a free call with Raya today!.

#11: Learn about Finance

#12: Start Investing

#13: Make More Money

Easier said than done right? Regardless of how you do it (selling clothes, taking on a second job, or starting a business), make it a point to make more money this year than simply what your job offers. Put yourself in a position to start making more money so that you can save for everything you need and want.

#14: Cut Costs

#15: Save for Your Wants

Make 2017 the year of control! Take control of your impulse spending and resist the urge to just drop cash on something you want in that instant. If you truly want something, save for it! Plan your purchases ahead of time so that you aren’t strapped for cash or hurting your budget.

#16: Stop Using Credit

#17: Don’t Compare Your Financial Situation to Others

Unless you have secret insight into another person’s bank and credit card statements, you never really know what a person does or doesn’t have. In 2017, avoid (at all costs) comparing your financial situation to someone else’s. Not only does this distract you from what you need to be doing, it’s really a waste of time. You will never know what a person’s account looks like, no matter what their social media may say!

Alright ladies, 2017 should be an amazing financial year for all of us! The 17 changes listed above are not as hard as they sound! While it does take some effort on your part, you can have an amazing financial year if you put your mind to it! Set yourself up for greatness today. What are some of the changes you plan on making to your finances in 2017? Leave a comment below to share!

-The CGS Team

1 thought on “17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017”

  1. 17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (3)

    Paulette Wilson Jernigan

    January 18, 2017 at 11:31 am

    If you are running out of space in your home and closet. It’s time to stop purchasing more items that you don’t need. Learn to use and enjoy all the things you already have. More doesn’t mean Happy its just More!!!

    Reply

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17 Things to Do for Your Finances in 2017 - City Girl Savings (2024)

FAQs

What is the 20 savings rule? ›

Key Takeaways. The 50/30/20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should be split between savings and debt repayment (20%) and everything else that you might want (30%).

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

How to start saving money at 17? ›

How to save money as a teenager:
  1. Open a savings account.
  2. Separate spending and savings money.
  3. Keep track of purchases.
  4. Think twice before buying.
  5. Start budgeting.
  6. Do chores to earn more allowance money.
  7. Getting a summer or part-time job.
  8. Set a savings goal.
Jul 10, 2023

How much money should a 14-year-old have saved? ›

“A good rule to live by is to save 10 percent of what you earn, and have at least three months' worth of living expenses saved up in case of an emergency.” Once your teen has a steady job, help them set up a savings program so that at least 10 percent of earnings goes directly into their savings account.

What is the 15 savings rule? ›

50 - Consider allocating no more than 50 percent of take-home pay to essential expenses. 15 - Try to save 15 percent of pretax income (including employer contributions) for retirement. 5 - Save for the unexpected by keeping 5 percent of take-home pay in short-term savings for unplanned expenses.

What is the 7 rule for savings? ›

The seven percent savings rule provides a simple yet powerful guideline—save seven percent of your gross income before any taxes or other deductions come out of your paycheck. Saving at this level can help you make continuous progress towards your financial goals through the inevitable ups and downs of life.

How to budget $4000 a month? ›

making $4,000 a month using the 75 10 15 method. 75% goes towards your needs, so use $3,000 towards housing bills, transport, and groceries. 10% goes towards want. So $400 to spend on dining out, entertainment, and hobbies.

How much savings should I have at 50? ›

By age 50, you'll want to have around six times your salary saved. If you're behind on saving in your 40s and 50s, aim to pay down your debt to free up funds each month. Also, be sure to take advantage of retirement plans and high-interest savings accounts.

What are the four walls? ›

In a series of tweets, Ramsey suggested budgeting for food, utilities, shelter and transportation — in that specific order. “I call these budget categories the 'Four Walls. ' Focus on taking care of these FIRST, and in this specific order… especially if you're going through a tough financial season,” the tweet read.

How to make money fast? ›

How to make money fast
  1. Become a rideshare driver. ...
  2. 2. Make deliveries. ...
  3. Take surveys. ...
  4. Pet sit. ...
  5. Sell clothes and accessories online. ...
  6. Sell unused gift cards. ...
  7. Earn a bank bonus. ...
  8. Help others with simple, everyday tasks.

How to save money fast? ›

Canceling unnecessary subscriptions and automating your savings are a couple of simple ways to save money quickly. Switching banks, opening a short-term CD, and signing up for rewards programs can also help you save money. Making a budget and eliminating a spending habit each day can help lead to long-term savings.

What are three things you can sacrifice in order to save money? ›

10 Things to Give Up in Order to Save Money
  • Your Cable Service – Cable bills can be quite pricey and take up a good portion of your monthly utility budget. ...
  • Eating Out – ...
  • Tossing Leftovers – ...
  • Expensive Coffee Runs – ...
  • Your Gym Membership – ...
  • Unplanned Shopping Sprees – ...
  • Ignoring Your Utilities – ...
  • Your Landline –
Jun 11, 2015

How to budget as a 17 year old? ›

How to create a budget for teensStep 1: Figure out how much you makeStep 2: Keep a record of your expensesStep 3: Identify where you're spendingStep 4: Subtract the total spent on necessities from your earningsStep 5: Create savings goals Step 6: Decide how and how much you want to save each budget cycleStep 7: Start ...

How do I stop myself from spending money? ›

— there are solutions.
  1. Leave your credit cards at home when you go out. In fact, leave your debit card at home too. ...
  2. Freeze your cards in a cup of water. ...
  3. Don't use your credit cards like a debit card. ...
  4. Create a Needs vs. ...
  5. Learn to shop smarter. ...
  6. Take the "impulse" out of impulse buys.

What should a 13 year old be saving for? ›

Older children and young teenagers are more likely to want to save up for clothes, online games, apps, books, magazines, and outings with friends. They may also save money for bigger items like a new bike or games console.

What is the 70 20 10 rule for savings? ›

This system can help you get better acquainted with what you earn and where it goes, while tracking your daily spending (that's the 70% of your after-tax earnings) plus debt repayment and saving (the 20% and the 10%).

Is saving 20% of income realistic? ›

The 20% rule is a good general guide, but it isn't the right fit for everyone. Some people can save above that rate, while others merely struggle to make ends meet. “Some people pay their rent and they have nothing left.

Does a 401k count as 20% savings? ›

In the "savings" section, you can apply some or all of the 20% you save to your 401(k), IRA or other retirement account. Usually, your employer deducts your 401(k) savings automatically from your paycheck, so you'd factor in those savings from your gross pay vs. your net pay.

What is the $20 savings challenge? ›

The $20 Savings Challenge is a great way to easily save $1,040 this year without noticing! All you have to do is save $20 each week for a year, and then you'll easily have $1,040.

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