The sun is about to rise on a brand new year. With the sunrise comes new goals, new ambitions and new desires.

And yes, many of those desires will cost money. There are things we want in life and things we need, and the reality is that both sides of the equation will put a dent in your wallet.

You know what doesn’t cost money? The time you spend with your family. The time you spend improving your own lifestyle, whether that means strapping on some running shoes or eating more salad. It can even mean the energy you spend improving your emotional outlook on the world around you.

The first step in shaping your attitude to face another year and all the ups and downs you know will come (as well as some of the unforeseen circumstances) is setting new resolutions for a new year.

Here are four suggestions for a financially healthy 2016.

1. Pay Bills Immediately

Why wait? Get a good start on keeping financial stress at bay by paying your bills as soon as you get them. Not only will you be doing your credit rating a favour, you’ll actually find yourself with more spending money later in the month. Why? Because your bills are already paid, so you won’t feel guilty for treating yourself to a night out!

2. Automate Your Savings Account

Most banks will let you set up an automatic transfer so you can put money into your savings account without setting a monthly alarm clock. You can set up the transfer in different ways, too; either by transferring money on a specified day each month, or by transferring a specific percentage of money into your savings whenever you spend from somewhere else. This can also serve as a handy (and admittedly devious) way to curb your spending habits.

3. Set Financial Goals

Once you’re automated and on course to pay your bills on time in 2016, it’s time to set some goals. What do you want your financial profile to look like at the end of the year? Knowing the answer to this question will give you a headstart on making it a reality, plus it will give you clarity as you make financial decisions throughout the year. This doesn’t mean simply stating “I want more money,” either. Financial goals could represent small business decisions, how much you want to spend each month or deciding between different methods of long-term savings, like RSP’s or other investments.

4. Consider All Options

As you navigate your financial landscape in 2016, you’re going to encounter circumstances that are impossible too predict. This is part of the reason we stress simple rainy-day savings plans, but it’s important to know that you’ll have options when these situations arise. Alternative financing is one of them if there’s an illness in your family or you’re faced with sudden expenses like home or car repairs, but it also trickles down to the smaller things in life. Things like looking for deals at the grocery store or simply taking your time to consider every avenue open to you.

Here at One Stop, we want you to enjoy the new year and all the financial success you can earn. Whether you’re a client of ours or not, we wish you nothing but the best to you and your family in 2016.

Happy new year!