{"id":122510,"date":"2021-10-06T23:48:29","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T23:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/?p=122510"},"modified":"2021-10-06T23:48:29","modified_gmt":"2021-10-06T23:48:29","slug":"how-to-save-more-and-reach-your-financial-goals-by-the-end-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/business\/how-to-save-more-and-reach-your-financial-goals-by-the-end-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"How to save more and reach your financial goals by the end of the year"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is an excerpt from CNBC Make It's weekly newsletter.\u00a0<\/em>Subscribe here<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Somehow, we've reached the final three months of 2021.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over the past few weeks, I've been reflecting on the year and my financial goals, something I haven't felt up to doing in a while. During the first year of the pandemic, I put off thinking too hard about the future because the present was too stressful. Perhaps you felt similarly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While I haven't fallen too far off the wagon \u2014 I've kept up my investment contributions and haven't accrued any debt \u2014 I also know I'd feel less anxious if I got back into some type of routine, and refocused on my short- and long-term financial goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Three months may not seem like a long time, but starting to rebuild habits now will make it easier to continue them in 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With that in mind, here's what I'm planning for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n

1. Rethinking priorities<\/h2>\n

Like pretty much everyone else I know, the pandemic has changed my view on what's important in life going forward.<\/p>\n

One example: While I was ambivalent about homeownership before, I know now that I want a house with a backyard in the next few years. (Twelve months largely confined to a two-room apartment is clarifying, to say the least.)<\/p>\n

To make that a reality sooner, I've redirected the 401(k) contributions I was making above my employer match into a brokerage account that I can access for a down payment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What you can do:<\/strong> Set aside a distraction-free evening after work this week to explore your own priorities. Personally, I think best when I'm journaling longhand. If you've previously written out goals, review them. Then reflect on the past year. What made you feel most anxious, most happy and most relieved? What kept you up at night? These questions will help inform your priorities moving forward.<\/p>\n

Resources:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n