1. (NU) - The start of each new
year is synonymous with great in-
tentions after setting ambitious
resolutions. Whether it’s losing
weight, volunteering or saving
money, many Americans want to
make positive changes. Though
conventional wisdom suggests
that these plans lose steam before
the confetti is swept out of Times
Square, resolutions can be ac-
complished. Believe it or not, a
Marist Poll survey found that al-
most 6 in 10 Americans (59 per-
cent) who made resolutions for
2014 kept them. But were they
the right resolutions?
Unfortunately, injuries and se-
rious illnesses can easily upset
plans for financial independence,
and recovering financially often
takes longer than recovering phys-
ically.The 2015AflacWorkForces
Report highlights that millennials,
for example, are more likely than
other generations to have less than
$1,000 in the bank to pay for un-
expected out-of-pocket medical
expenses. By making a commit-
ment to saving, millennials and
other generations will make more
than a resolution -- they’ll elimi-
nate risk and make an investment
in their future.
Beyond providing a pay check,
the workplace can actually assist
Americans with keeping financial
goals. Here are a few recommen-
dations that will help to maximize
earnings and savings all year long:
1. Spend wisely
During the work week, it’s easy
to spend money on “on-the-go”
items because it’s more convenient
than packing a lunch or making a
cup of coffee at home. To avoid
these traps, hold yourself account-
able to a monthly budget for mis-
cellaneous purchases and take ad-
vantage of wellness programs and
other perks such as discount gym
memberships and free coffee.
2. Maximize the potential of
your benefits
Voluntary insurance such as ac-
cident, hospital or critical illness
plans help pay health-related costs
that major medical was never in-
tended to cover, offering a safety
net to protect savings. These plans
also provide cash benefits that can
be used to assist with unexpected
health care costs, such as medical
deductibles and insurance copay-
ments, or to cover day-to-day ex-
penses such as groceries, child care
and travel. These are exactly the
kinds of plans offered by Aflac.
3. Explore your savings options
401(k)s are a straightforward
way to save for retirement, and
with your allocated contribution
never hitting your bank account,
there’s no temptation to spend it or
skip a contribution here or there.
Be sure to take advantage of this
program as soon as possible. As
with any savings program, the
longer you wait to get started, the
harder it will be to catch up and
reach your goal.
The path to financial indepen-
dence is within reach. Make a New
Year’s resolution to maximize your
savings potential and enjoy the
benefits far beyond 2016.
Visit www.aflac.com for more
information about selecting the
best voluntary plan for you and
your family.
Ring in the New Year With a
Resolution You Can Keep (Really!)
MONEY
NewsUSA
Start the new year right.
NewsUSA