• Be specific and realistic. Don’t just say you’ll save more; you have to have a plan, not just a promise. Set a clearly defined goal that’s within reach.

• Make a budget. This is a key part of meeting your New Year’s resolution. Track your expenses for a month to identify areas where you can cut back. Include savings and paying down debt in this budget.

• Develop a long-term approach. For example, if your target is to save $2,500 for the year, plan to put away $50 a week. This will help you create a realistic budget that you can meet.

• Write down your goals. It’s easier to follow what you put in writing. You may want to post your goals where they’ll be seen every day.

• Don’t give up. You will have periodic setbacks. “Once you have decided what you want to accomplish, be confident,” said Cate Williams, vice president of financial literacy for MMI.

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