Dear Prism experts,

Sure! It's the New Year, and with that comes making resolutions that we’re sure we’ll keep this time around. Most people who make New Year’s resolutions have at least one that has to do with their financial well-being, whether it’s paying down debt, building an emergency fund, or starting to invest.

Image by Flickr User jeff_golden

1. Define your goals – It isn't enough to just say “I want to get better with my finances." The key is to set specific, measurable goals that you can work toward achieving. Goals like “I will put $100 in savings every month” and “I will only go out to eat once per week” are specific enough so that you can create a solid plan to be successful and know how you’re doing along the way.

2. Check your credit score – If you’re not sure of your credit score, you can check it for free (Credit Karma and Quizzle will both show you your score without requiring a credit card). Look over your credit report and make sure that everything is correct; if not, dispute any inaccuracies you may find. Your credit score and report are big indicators of your financial health, and knowing where you stand can help you determine the areas in which you can improve.

3. Find a budget you can stick to – We've covered this before, but finding a budget that works for you can make a huge difference in getting your spending under control and helping you achieve your financial goals.

4. Learn – If there’s a financial subject you don’t really understand, make this the year you decide to change that. If you don’t know much about investing, start reading blogs and articles on how to get started. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of tackling your debt, research different plans of attack. Remember that knowledge is power, and keeping yourself informed is one of the best things you can do.