Seven Financial Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Before you can improve your finances, you need clarity. Take time to review last month’s spending and categorize where your money actually went.

Simple first step:
Track your spending for just one month. Don't make any judgments on your spending, remember this is just for awareness.

You don't even have to download an extra app or break out the spreadsheets for this step, the Fort Financial mobile app has a built-in budget tool that will link to all your accounts.

Budgets fail when they’re too strict. A realistic budget should reflect your real expenses, habits, and priorities, not an idealized version of them. Which makes a digital budget built in to the Fort Financial mobile app an even better option!

Tip:
Use the 50/30/20 approach as a starting point:

• 50% needs
• 30% wants
• 20% savings or debt repayment

Adjust as needed, progress matters more than perfection. And if you need more digital tools, our app has a Spending Analysis tool that takes a deeper look at your spending habits.

Life happens and unexpected expenses (car repairs, medical bills, home fixes) can lead to a major bill. An emergency fund helps you handle surprises without relying on credit cards and incurring unnecessary interest each month.

Goal:
Start somewhere between $500 and $1,000, then work toward 3–6 months of expenses over time.

Improving credit doesn’t happen overnight, but small actions make a big difference.

This month, focus on just one action item:

• Pay bills on time
• Pay down a credit card balance
• Check your credit report for errors

Each step strengthens your financial foundation.

If saving depends on willpower alone, it’s easy to skip. Automation makes saving effortless.

Try this:
Set up automatic transfers to savings on payday, even $25 adds up over time. It's easy to set up automatic transfers in our digital banking platform, or you can even have your employer split your paycheck to hit different accounts.

You don’t have to navigate your finances alone. Fort Financial Credit Union exists to support you, our members, and to offer tools, guidance, and products designed with your best interest in mind. 

Whether it’s budgeting help, savings options, or financial counseling, we're here to help you succeed.

Check out our Financial Resource Center and Financial Education Videos for more self-help tips.

Vague goals like “save more” are hard to stick to. Be specific.

Examples:

• Save $1,200 for emergencies this year
• Pay off one credit card by June
• Build a holiday savings fund

Clear goals create motivation and momentum. You can even create and track your goals within our digital banking platform.