new year finances
Budgeting Basics

New Beginnings: Budgeting Tips to Implement in 2024

By Jessica Price

January 30, 2024

A New Year is an opportunity for change, a chance to take charge of areas of life that have perhaps fallen through the cracks over the previous year. Wellness of all kinds tends to be top of mind for many people, including financial wellness. Consistency, particularly when it comes to budgeting, can be difficult even for the most dedicated budget planners. Money and budgeting can be polarizing topics, particularly as conversation starters at holiday parties, so maybe keep the money talk out of the holiday heart-to-heart chats. However, a conversation with yourself could change the trajectory of the coming year!

Starting the New Year with a plan to revamp your approach to your financial health can radically impact your financial future as well. Learning how to budget and save does not happen overnight, but with a little dedication the payoff could be a feeling of control and peace when it comes to your finances. To create a budget plan, start by assessing your current spending before writing out your budget plan and then committing to consistently tracking your expenses. Once you have a good budget plan in place, you can start digging into the little things that can help you gain traction towards your financial and budgeting goals. Finding ways to tighten the budget can help you save for the future, repay debt, and enrich your life over time.

budget tip

When you’re searching for advice for budgeting, you’ll likely find similar advice. The takeaway is that budget planning isn’t really the hard part. It’s learning to manage a budget that can be tricky. At the end of the day, everyone must approach budgeting individually, finding the ways that work best to help them reach their personal, financial goals. While you’re navigating budgeting waters, particularly if it’s your first time to dive into budget management, collect budget tips the way you collect shells on a beach. Pick up the things that you are drawn to and keep only what you like best.

Jessica is hyper-focused on making information about the Personal Loans offered by CheckSmart including Payday Loans, Installment Loans, and Title Loans accessible and easy to understand. Learning the basics about finances shouldn’t be complicated after all! The key to responsible borrowing is understanding the loans you’re considering, and it’s Jessica’s mission to help anyone considering a loan make an informed decision. Jessica is passionate about sharing easy-to-follow Budgeting Tips and helping readers increase their financial literacy in the Financial Corner of the blog. You’ll find great budgeting tips, Simplified Savings tips, and information that will help you improve your financial wellness sprinkled throughout each of her blogs.

Customer Notice: There are a wide variety of financial products available in the marketplace, so your choice should match your financial needs. Small-dollar loans used over a long period of time can be expensive. 

Noticia al Consumidor: Existe una amplia variedad de productos financieros disponibles en el mercado, por lo que su elección debe coincidir con sus necesidades financieras. Los préstamos de poco dinero utilizados durante un largo período de tiempo pueden ser costosos. 

Green Dot: must be 18 or older to open an account. Online access, mobile number verification (via text message) and identity verification (including SSN) are required to open and use your account.  Mobile number verification, email address verification and mobile app are required to access all features.

1. Early direct deposit availability depends on payor type, timing, payment instructions, and bank fraud prevention measures. As such, early direct deposit availability may vary from pay period to pay period. The name and Social Security number on file with your employer or benefits provider must match your Green Dot account to prevent fraud restrictions on the account.

2. Opt-in required. Account must be in good standing and chip-enabled debit card activated to opt-in. Initial and ongoing eligible direct deposits are required for overdraft coverage. Additional criteria may apply which can affect your eligibility and your overdraft coverage. Overdrafts are paid at our discretion. Overdraft fees may cause your account to be overdrawn by an amount that is greater than your overdraft coverage. A $15 fee may apply to each eligible purchase transaction that brings your account negative. Balance must be brought to at least $0 within 24 hours of authorization of the first transaction that overdraws your account to avoid a fee.

3. See app for free ATM locations. 1 free in-network withdrawal per calendar month. $3.00 per withdrawal thereafter. $3.00 for out-of-network withdrawals and $1.00 for balance inquiries, plus any fee the ATM owner may charge. Limits apply.

Green Dot® cards are issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association. And by Mastercard International Inc. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.  Green Dot Bank also operates under the following registered trade names: GO2bank, GoBank and Bonneville Bank. All of these registered trade names are used by, and refer to, a single FDIC-insured bank, Green Dot Bank. Deposits under any of these trade names are deposits with Green Dot Bank and are aggregated for deposit insurance coverage up to the allowable limits.  ©2023 Green Dot Bank. All rights reserved. Green Dot Corporation NMLS #914924; Green Dot Bank NMLS #908739

The USA PATRIOT Act is a Federal law that requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. You will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. You may also be asked to provide documentation as proof of identification. Approval is contingent upon successfully passing this mandatory identification confirmation.

Loan Products: Subject to state regulations, eligibility, credit check, underwriting & approval, and meet state database eligibility, where required based on type of lending product requested. All products are not available at all locations. Rates, terms and conditions apply. See associate for details. Lending decisions and funding times subject to system limitations. Some applications may require additional verification, which can delay the lending decision. 

Non-Loan Store Services: Rules, restrictions, and fees apply. See store for details. 

Ohio Residents: Check Cashing provided by Buckeye Check Cashing, Inc., CC700000, Main Office 5165 Emerald Parkway, Suite 100, Dublin OH 43017. 

© 2024 CheckSmart Financial Company. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Accessibility Statement