It’s time to make our resolutions. It’s such a ritual that, at this point, many of us don’t really question it. What if you resolve to learn more about your financial wellbeing? What will your life look like next January?

We spoke to credit union members about the lessons they want to pass onto others. Below you’ll find some of our favorite tips and suggestions.

• Pay yourself first. Set aside money for your savings. No one else is going to make you a financial priority, so don’t make them your financial priority.
   
• If you want to know if you can afford something, check your budget.  If you have to check your checking account, you can’t afford it. If you reconcile your accounts every month, you’ll have a pretty good idea of  how much is actually in each account. Plan ahead. Make a budget.  Execute the plan by sticking to that budget.
   
• Take risks while you’re young. You can afford to be more aggressive with your retirement and college funds while you have plenty of time to make it back up, so don’t be afraid to push those funds a little bit. That said, not saving for retirement is not a risk. It’s just a bad idea.
   
• Make sure the Joneses are keeping up with you. It’s easy to get lost trying to compete with your peers and almost as easy to ignore those consumer pressures entirely. But what about the third option? Instead of ignoring their financial situation, check in every now and then to see if they need help. Our communities are better when we care about each other.