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2019 is almost here!

‘Tis the season for gift giving, baking delicious desserts, holiday decorations, winter wishes and joyful hearts. Soon it will be time to Reset, Relax and Refresh for the new year.

As tempting as it may be to spend the rest of December curled up with a big mug of cocoa, a snuggly blanket, and a never-ending Netflix queue, consider putting time into creating your game plan for kicking off 2019 in your most successful way. Invest in your future and it will pay off tenfold.

Here are a few simple ways you can invest in your future, that line you up with your most successful self in 2019.

1. Plan and Start Goals Now!

In general, to be largely successful, it typically involves doing the things that most people don’t do. To get ahead, don’t plan later.

For example, most people wait until the first of the year to make their resolutions; Don’t be like most people!  If you are planning on making a New Year’s Resolution, spend a few hours before NYE planning your goals, write them down, and then block time on your calendar in the early months of the year that sets you up with a plan. If you don’t have a calendar, get one. All goals begin with a plan. Then, execute your strategy! The key is to start… now!

2. Create a profile on LinkedIn.

Personally, I love the blog post written by Omar Garriott, Senior Director at Salesforce, on 10 LinkedIn tips for New Students & Grads. In today’s world, 80% of job openings are never advertised. Whether you are in college, a new grad, or an experienced healthcare professional, his blog article is PACKED, with useful explanations on why LinkedIn is so important in today’s working world. He breaks down the profile creation process, explains why they are important to do, and includes helpful links to supportive research like using LinkedIn’s awesome Alumni Tool to find & connect with successful grads from your school. And, be SURE to Check out the LinkedIn resource center for college students!

3. Get Financially Fit

Whether you are paying off student loans or saving an emergency nest egg for your goal of working a travel contract with us in the future, there’s an app that can help! Here are 6 smartphone-friendly apps to help you easily set aside your digital spare change for financial goal success:

• QAPITAL
• Rounds up change to nearest dollar and moves it into savings.
• Allows specific goals to be set and named.
• Learn More

• DIGIT – Best for Simplicity
• Calculates what you can save, sets it aside.
• 1% savings bonus every three months.
• See more here…

• CHIME – Best alternative bank
• Sweep spare change into savings, or auto-transfer 10% of your paycheck to savings.
• Offers checking and savings.
• See more here…

• ACORNS
• Spare change is swept into investment account.
• Money is invested in portfolio based on income and goals.
• See more here…

4. Last but not least..

The Dave Ramsey Allocated Spending Plan is another helpful tool you can use to help plan your spending.

An allocated spending plan, which is outlined in his best-selling book The Total Money Makeover, is a type of budget, based on using percentages of your income. The idea is to have a place and purpose for every dollar.

This plan suggests the following allocation percentages:

Food – 15%
Medical – 10%
Housing – 25%
Savings – 10%
Transportation – 10%
Utilities – 5%
Total – 75%

The idea is to cover the necessities first, then fill in the rest depending on your goals. For some “the rest” may be covering debt payments, building their emergency fund, or go toward further education development.

Keep in mind, what is essential will change, e.g. a family has different needs such as childcare or education than someone who is single. Click here to start your own budget form!

Here’s to a new year, new opportunities, and new skills!