Reach Your Goals in 2015: Health and Finance Experts Weigh In

January 12, 2015

The New Year offers a fresh start, so it’s no surprise many folks begin the year determined to turn over a new leaf with their New Year’s resolutions. But, keeping those goals in check isn’t always easy. So, here at My News, we've identified four common resolutions and teamed up with Georgia Southern experts to help you reach your goals in 2015. [caption id="attachment_4220" align="alignleft" width="200"] Michele Martin, Director of University Wellness[/caption] A popular resolution is weight loss, living a healthier lifestyle or eating healthier. Michele Martin, director of University Wellness, offers some basic tips for anyone looking to make a change. Move. “Any amount of movement counts. Take a walk, ride a bike or even exercise during commercials while watching television.” Drink. “Drink lots of water. This will help you avoid added and unwanted calories and chemicals.” Eat. “Be sure to eat at least three to five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.” Reducing stress or better managing it, is a goal for many. Martin suggests: Plan ahead. “If you have a goal, make a plan. Failure to plan is planning to fail and failure creates stress.” Meditate. “Carve out a little quiet time for yourself every day. Even five minutes counts. Try a meditation app on your smartphone.” Sleep. “It’s important to get adequate sleep. Those who sleep less have a shorter fuse, which equals stress.” Martin also offered tips on quitting a bad habit, such as smoking. Set reminders. “Give yourself a cue by leaving Post-It notes where you will see them often, reminding yourself why you want to quit or of how far you’ve come.” Team up. “Ask a friend to join you in quitting the habit. It always helps to have someone else hold you accountable.” Visual rewards. “Create something that will help you see your progress. Revert to your younger days and create a sticker chart. For every day you are successful, give yourself a sticker. Stick to the plan by seeing all the stickers accumulate.” [caption id="attachment_4219" align="alignleft" width="180"] Axel Grossmann, Ph.D.[/caption] For anyone who is interested in being smarter financially during the New Year, Associate Professor of Finance Axel Grossmann, Ph.D., offers a few tips to reach your goals. Budget. “Record all sources of income and stick to your budget. Create a list of monthly expenses and break them into necessary expenses and unnecessary expenses. Also, leave 10-20 percent for savings.” Avoid. “Avoid too many credit cards and make it a habit to pay them off at the end of the month. If you won’t be able to pay them off at the end of the month, avoid them altogether.” Save. “Create an emergency fund—I suggest three to six months of necessary expenses. Use your savings for only important financial goals.”