January often sparks a renewed focus on setting and achieving goals, whether personal or financial. But while resolutions are easy to make, sticking with them is where the challenge lies. ACC’s Student Money Management Office partners with University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) to share tips to help you set up SMART goals for the year ahead. 

A Message from University Federal Credit Union

Maybe you welcome January with a winning attitude toward your finances. Lots of us do—a new year can give us motivation to grow more intentional about our time, our energy, and our focus.

Better money management often makes the top 10 promises people make to themselves. But recent research found that less than 20% of people who set goals on January 1 actually follow through. How can you promote success for your newly hatched goals?

Make SMART Goals

A great way to keep up your momentum is by setting SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely.

  • What do you want to do? Set specific goals.
  • How will you know when you’ve reached it? Make it measurable.
  • Are your goals achievable?
  • Are they relevant to your long-term life goals?
  • When would you like to complete your goals?

Setting SMART Goals can help you be specific and stay on course to achieve them.

Get inspired by reading more articles like this at PlanU.UFCU.org/Discover. 

Boost Your Stick-to-It-Iveness

You can already celebrate in January because the first step is simply to start. It may seem obvious but resolving to work on your finances is often the hardest part.

To keep motivated, choose some small and easy steps. Your action can be as simple as setting up a system to save $10 a paycheck. Next, create your first budget as a note on your mobile phone—it doesn’t have to be a detailed spreadsheet or set up on a fancy platform.

Next, make it a habit. Schedule a regular check-in time each week to measure progress on your goals. Make a recurring appointment on your calendar, then take it seriously—don’t cancel! That habitual check-in can become a part of your lifestyle and helps ensure you take it through the entire year.

Lastly, reward yourself! Celebrate your milestones and successes. Maybe pair your check-in with your favorite movie or a slice of something sweet!

Get Support

You might need good suggestions and moral support to make your goals stick. As a not-for-profit credit union, UFCU is here to help you understand your finances and improve your financial well-being. We offer free interactive courses online at our PlanU Education Center that allow you to improve your financial health—just visit PlanU.UFCU.org to find the topics you’re interested in.

You can also schedule a free financial consultation through PlanU with one of our certified counselors. They can help you create a personalized plan to achieve your goals. They provide one-on-one guidance through a candid, compassionate conversation. The one-hour consultation is all about helping you invest in yourself and create the future you deserve. It’s in the UFCU mission to provide everyone with the tools to succeed financially.

Whether you want to tackle New Year finances on your own or with a bit of help from UFCU, take the time to develop practical habits in support of your goals. And remember—every day is a good day to get started.

Want to learn more?

Connect with ACC’s Student Money Management team to access tools designed to support you or to find a schedule of events and workshops that can help you with your personal finance questions.

Check out www.ufcu.org/ACC or visit your local branch anytime to chat with a Personal Financial Representative. UFCU Highland Branch is now open.