I can’t believe this is actually my first blog of 2019. For somebody who used to crank out a blog a week, that is actually a long time. The truth is I just haven’t had anything I wanted to say. To be honest when you don’t have something to say you probably just shouldn’t say anything. Okay, thats not how the saying goes but you know what I mean… Today I’m inspired to talk about some things that I think are important. So here are my tips to making 2019 the best year ever. And yes, I know we’re already into the second month of the year but I’ve had some time to reflect and I feel that we have to do things a little bit different in 2019 if we want to make BIG things happen. So here we go:
1. Make plans and stick to them.
Last year we made a lot of plans didn’t we? If you really think back to all those things that you said that you were going to do way back in January 2018, did you do them? If you did, then major kudos to you, take a bow, give yourself a pat on the back, and all of that.
2. Be a better friend.
2. Be a better friend.
Were you a good friend last year? Did you call? Did you visit your friends? Did you check on them when they were sick? Did you make sure that you were helping them accomplish their goals? I think in 2019 it’s important for us to be better friends. Put into your relationships exactly what you would want back. If you wouldn’t want a friend who never calls or never checks on you then don’t be that friend. I also think it’s time to have deeper conversations in 2019. Do you know what your friends want out of life? Do you know how you can help them? Do you know how they can help you? In 2019 let’s start asking important questions of our friends–not every time has to be a fun time. We can all grind out together so that fun times get even better. So ask the important questions in 2019–not just for ourselves but for our friends too.
3. Make smart financial decisions.
3. Make smart financial decisions.
Is your bank account bigger than it was last year? If it’s not, how can we change it? Hopefully your debt didn’t increase over the last year. But if it did, there are things you can do to mitigate that. Around this time you might be receiving a bonus or raise if you’ve done a great job at your work place… So let’s put it to good use shall we? Here’s a couple of ways you can increase your savings by the end of 2019.
- Pay off the things you can pay off. Rid yourself of those bills for good so that you can concentrate on bigger bills.
- If you are trying to pay off a credit card but seem to be getting no where, cut the card up to resist the temptation of adding more transactions to it.
- If you are receiving an increase at work this year, now is the time to also increase how much you are saving or investing. Here’s an example based on a 4% raise: Increase your stock purchase plan or start your own by 1%, your 401K by 1%, and your savings by 1%. With this allocation, you have now increased your short term and long term savings and increased your potential for emergency reserves. Therefore, your 4% increase is working harder for you than it ever could going straight to your checking account.
- Have you done an audit of your bank statement? Are there subscriptions you could cancel? Are there things that you’re being charged for that you’re not using? There are even apps out there now that can do this work for you and also negotiate lower prices on your monthly bills. Monthly subscription services thrive on the hope that you’re going to forget to call or cancel services you no longer use. Don’t give them the satisfaction. Cancel the things that you don’t need and have extra money in your account every month.
- Now look at what you are spending the most money on…Is it clothes? Eating out? Know that $20 or $50 here and there really begins to add up when you’re splurging in wants and not needs. Set a budget for these things and stick to it.
- Get a side hustle. Saving is awesome, but sometimes you just need more money coming in. You’ve probably heard that the average millionaire has seven sources of income! Seven!
4. Treat yourself well.
4. Treat yourself well.
In 2019, let’s eat better. Let’s sleep better. Workout or take walks. Take vitamins. Eliminate toxic things (that includes people sometimes). Go to the spa. Read a book. Meditate. Whatever it is that you need to do to take care of your physical and mental health–just do it. Let’s do the things that we don’t like to do in order to progress and elongate our lives.
5. Do things better than last year.
5. Do things better than last year.
Last year was just messy. We didn’t complete the things we wanted to complete. We left opportunities on the table. We focused on what others had and not what we could attain ourselves. Maybe we slacked when we could have worked. Pause for a second and picture that one thing you could have done better. Now that you know better–do better.
6. Focus on the things that really matter.
6. Focus on the things that really matter.
This year let’s focus on things that are actually really important. Like family, health, finances, and your connection with the rest of the world. Put out positive vibes versus negative vibes and watch the world around you get easier.
7. If it doesn’t make money, leave it alone.
7. If it doesn’t make money, leave it alone.
There are some things we do that are just time suckers to be honest. And this is where you might stop reading because I’m going to say social media and you may say what…you and I are probably both social media junkies. And while that’s true, I’ll admit that in 2019 I’m going to cut down on it just a little bit. There’s still plenty of gaps in time where social media is perfect to fill but let’s be conscious of it. Could I be using the time to build on one of those seven sources of income? Or to network with others? Even if you are using social media to make income, are you doing it smart or are you spinning your wheels and wasting time. Only you can answer that… But if there’s other things that are important and needs to be done and couldn’t get it done last year, then do it now because this is a new year. Change your habits–don’t let your habits change you.
8. Spend time with those who matter most.
8. Spend time with those who matter most.
Were you there when it really mattered? Did you help with homework? Did you attend your kids’ events? Did you support your friends? Did you connect with family? If the answers to those questions are no, then it’s time to make some changes in 2019. The people I mentioned really need you–your kids, your significant other, your family, your friends… They want to hear from you and they want to know that you’re down for them. So let’s show them how much they really matter in 2019. ❤
9. See the world.
9. See the world.
It’s time for you to see the world. No I really mean it. The advantage of travel is that these are memories that you’ll never lose. So you might forget that hundred dollar dinner that you had last week, the $200 outfit may not fit you next year…but if you take a really cool trip this year you will have memories that are going to last forever. There are so many things for you to see… so many things for you to do and experience and those are things you can’t do from your living room. So I challenge you this year to make some extra money, save some extra money, and go out and experience the world.
10. Be kind and give back.
10. Be kind and give back.
You know all that money that you’re going to save this year because you’re going to make great financial decisions or because you picked up a side hustle and started spending your time wisely? Well at some point for us to get all we need out of 2019, we may need to give back. Be it time, money, or both. You will feel better when you give and the world will be better. I don’t mean give to everything (because someone is always asking) or give to every Joe Schmoe off the street. I mean find the things that really matter to you and give your time and money, if possible, to help those causes out. Maybe it’s even your own thing. That’s fine too. But I challenge you to find something that matters and make a little stake in the world you can call your own of how you’ll help the world around you be just a little bit better.
—
In summary, I don’t know about you but I’m feeling really great about 2019. I think we can accomplish a lot of things–personally, professionally, and truly make the world a little better than it was in 2018. I’m hoping that the list above is nothing new to you but a crash refresher course on how to get the very best out of your life. If there are other tips you would like to share, please make a comment. Share this list with a friend, because we are going to be a better friend this year and have some deeper conversations anyway right?
Happy 2019-ing,
BizEMillenial
About the author:
Nerissa aka the BizEMillenial is a wife, mom of 4, an executive in the financial industry with over 15 years of experience, a lover & side hustler of beautiful things. She is a reader, writer, traveller, and diagnosed social media junkie. Her passion is helping others to discover their best selves. Want more–follow her via other social media networks.
Rissa Recharged 