The new year is here and many of us are looking at our 2018 priorities and goals. Have you considered how to bring more financial wellness into your life in the coming year? Here are three easy tips to help you meet your New Year’s resolution to improve the health of your finances.

Monitoring your credit score is the perfect New Year’s resolution to promote financial wellness in your life. Higher credit scores generally mean lower interest rates and savings over the course of any loan. You are entitled to a free credit report every year, so you may as well scan it for unusual activity such as accounts in your name that you did not open. It is also important to watch your bank and credit card statements for transactions and get in the habit of scanning your financial accounts at least once a week.

The old adage to pay yourself first becomes especially relevant in the beginning of a new year. With the expenditures of the holidays behind you, you likely have more funds to begin regularly setting aside as much as you can for your future. Commit to putting a certain amount of your paycheck into savings every month. Even if you only put away a little each month, the savings will build over time to help create a more secure future and make your money work for you. January is a great time to talk to one of our bankers about creating a savings plan. We can create a plan for you to help you reach your savings goals.

The new year is a great time to commit yourself to contributing the maximum amount you can to any retirement accounts your employer might offer, especially if your workplace offers fund matching when you contribute to their sponsored retirement accounts. Even if you can't reach the max, consider increasing your contribution by one percentage each year until you reach your goal. Make sure you take advantage of free money where it is offered.