facebook twitter instagram linkedin google youtube vimeo tumblr yelp rss email podcast phone blog search brokercheck brokercheck Play Pause
2020 Is (Finally) Coming to a Close. Here Are 7 Financial Moves to Make 2021 Less Stressful Thumbnail

2020 Is (Finally) Coming to a Close. Here Are 7 Financial Moves to Make 2021 Less Stressful

Insights

2020 has been quite the year, to say the least. With only one month left, everyone is ready to put the year behind us and try to start fresh. From the coronavirus pandemic to economic shut downs, many have felt the financial strain. If you are looking to start 2021 off on a better financial note, these seven moves will (hopefully) help make your year less stressful. 

Financial Move #1: Spend Smartly

Make your 2021 mantra an easy one: spend less, reduce stress. Before you buy, ask yourself "will this actually improve the quality of my life?". If the answer is no or if it will just add clutter to your home (which can also add stress) then skip the purchase. 

You can start small, by doing things such as:

  • Foregoing your morning latte and brewing a pot at home instead
  • Cooking at home rather than going out to dinner
  • Not buying new clothes regularly
  • Checking for a new phone plan
  • Waiting a few days and really considering each purchase to limit impulse spending 

The above things can become a lifestyle change and something that you can implement into your everyday life. 

Financial Move #2: Reduce Debt

Getting rid of, or at least reducing, your credit card debt can relieve an immense amount of financial stress. Start by paying off the credit cards that have the highest interest rate before working your way down the line to lower-interest loans. Making small changes can start becoming more of a lifestyle, therefore making it easier to reduce your debt. 

Financial Move #3: Track Expenses

If you track exactly where your money is going, it will give you a greater idea of where your overall financial picture stands. Simply understanding where your money is going can help you to really own it, which in turn, can start to reduce financial stress. 

Financial Move #4: Trade “Stuff” for Experiences

While you are still spending money here, research shows that people enjoy experiences more than possessions, so this is a great way to make better use of our money. Rather than buying a new outfit, you could spend your money on:

  • Cooking classes 
  • Traveling (when safe to do so)
  • Art classes
  • Spending more time with friends and family

Whatever it may be, this will prevent stress and burnout while providing you with positive memories. 

Financial Move #5: Read Financial Success Stories 

Simply reading success stories is a great way to change your mindset when it comes to a healthier financial lifestyle. If you read about people who have been in your situation and were able to pay off debt, start earning more money or just overcome some type of financial hardship, then you can become inspired and start to implement these tactics into your own life. 

Financial Move #6: Create an Emergency Fund

It can be difficult to comprehend creating an emergency fund when you are already financially stressed. But whenever you can, put any extra money aside at the end of the month into an emergency fund for unexpected expenses, such as house repairs, car repairs or healthcare costs. 

Financial Move #7: Start a Spending Plan

Once you’ve worked diligently to reduce debt and build an emergency fund, start a spending plan. When you do this, you’ll need to track your income while making a plan for all that you are earning. You can prioritize your spending once you have allocated the funds to cover expenses. This should hopefully help you breathe a little easier as you spend money while staying on track.

2020 has been hard on everyone, personally, professionally and financially. As we prepare for the upcoming year, use these tips to help reduce financial stress as we all work towards a better year.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty Over Ten. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

Juncture Wealth Strategies, LLC (“JWS”) is an SEC registered investment adviser located in Scottsdale, AZ, Lancaster, OH and Tempe, AZ. JWS and its representatives are in compliance with the current registration and notice filing requirements imposed upon SEC registered investment advisers by those states in which JWS maintains clients. JWS may only transact business in those states in which it is registered / notice filed, or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration / notice filing requirements. The JWS website is limited to the dissemination of general information regarding its investment advisory services to United States residents residing in states where providing such information is not prohibited by applicable law. Accordingly, the publication of JWS website on the Internet should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as JWS’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the Internet. Furthermore, the information resulting from the use of tools or other information on this internet website should not be construed, in any manner whatsoever, as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized individual advice from JWS. Any subsequent, direct communication by JWS with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. For information pertaining to the registration status of JWS, please contact the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on their website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov or and/or the state securities law administrators for those states in which JWS is registered. A copy of JWS’s current written disclosure statement discussing JWS business operations, services, and fees is available from JWS upon written request. JWS does not make any representations as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to JWS’s website or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility therefore. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

ACCESS TO THIS WEBSITE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, OR RESULTS OBTAINED FROM ANY INFORMATION POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE OR ANY THIRD PARTY WEBSITE LINKED TO THIS WEBSITE.