Forget New Year’s Resolutions

It’s Imbolc Resolutions time!

I mean, it’s a little less catchy maybe.

When I said I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions, I didn’t mean I don’t do 🌟resolutions🌟 - because I very much do. Whenever I want, in fact!

It’s never the wrong time to try again! If you allow yourself to fail, think, plan and try again - at any point - then you are absolutely onto a winner in life and in wealth. 

It’s Imbolc Today

First of February, the mid way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It’s the Celtic festival which celebrates the return of light, the first signs of spring and, as it coincides with ewes beginning to lactate again, it’s often celebrated with milk-based recipes (although I’m writing this well ahead and I haven’t made any plans yet!). 

All of this to say, if your New Years Resolutions have failed, or if you never set any because the dead of winter is a shitty time to spend all of your energy on something which will probably fail - then right now, as we begin to see a little glimmer of sunshine again, feel a freshness about us and start to look forward to new seasons, is a great time to set some intentions. 

Here are a few financial resolutions that you might like to borrow.

Please feel free to tweak them, make them fit for your life, tell yourself you’ll try it for a week or month and see what happens.

I-Can-Do-This-In-An-Evening Resolutions: 

1). Open a High-Interest Savings Account 

Move your emergency fund into it and set up a monthly standing order so that you don’t even have to think about it (even £20 a month adds up).

2). Check Your Subscriptions. 

Bring up your last months statement and check that everything you’re subscribed to is something you actually want. If you’re not watching Netflix, going to the gym or using the beauty subscription - sack it off.

3). Increase Your Pension Contribution by 1%

Just 1% you probably won’t notice. Your employer miiiiiiight match it. Simply send an email to HR telling them to increase your pension contributions by 1% from February. 

4). Have One Money Conversation You've Been Avoiding

This could be with your partner about shared expenses or it could be setting up a meeting with your boss about a raise. Take some time to prepare yourself and then, be brave. 

5). Switch One Thing to Save Money

Energy, bank account, phone contract, broadband, insurance, Spotify - whatever it is, you’re paying too much for something. Pick a thing and do some digging, use comparison sites. You could save hundreds!

Set Yourself Up For Success

Remember, we’re not setting ourselves up to fail. One thing at a time is perfectly valid if it means it actually gets done. 

And if you still feel like hibernating? Well, a Tuesday afternoon in the middle of March might feel like a better resolution day for you, and why the blood hell not? 

Tomorrow I share some Longer-Term Resolutions. 

Have you got any suggestions for quick-and-easy-do-it-in-an-evening-resolutions? I’d love to hear them! 

Love Eleanor. xxx