Everything doesn’t suddenly change overnight, going from December 31 to January 1, but because we turn the page of a calendar and get used to writing a new year when we date something, it feels different. The good news is that we get to choose what we give our energy to next, and setting a clear money and wellness focus for the year helps bring intention. After the rush of the holidays, this month invites us to slow down, take stock, and ask ourselves an important question:
What Do I Choose to Focus on This Year?
Not what you “should” do or what everyone else is doing. But what actually matters to you right now? For some, the focus is stability, and for others, healing, rebuilding, or creating something entirely new. Or sometimes it’s simply wanting to feel calmer and more confident about life.
A Simple Way to Set Your Money and Wellness Focus
If January already feels full, here’s a simple approach that works beautifully:
- Choose one financial focus that would make life feel easier this year.
- Choose one wellness focus that supports your energy, well-being, or confidence.
That’s it! No massive overhaul required. When wealth and wellness work together, real change becomes sustainable. Remember, what we think about, we bring about!
The Crucial Starting Point for Financial Clarity
The one financial and wellness focus will be different for each of us. We are all at various points in our lives, professionally and/or personally, geographically, and certainly financially. You may be thinking there is no single financial tool for everyone.
I disagree.
I believe there is one crucial starting point for all women, and that is to have a big picture view of your finances, all in one place, kind of like an inventory of the tools in your toolbox. What financial resources are available for you to use as tools in this life you are creating? Even if you think you know, do you really know?
One Financial Tool That Supports Every Stage of Life
I mean, do you know where all of your accounts are physically located, how they are titled, who can help you with any of those assets, who receives your assets after you are gone, how those accounts are taxed when you or your beneficiaries use them, and the worth of everything combined? The one tool I see over and over and over again being helpful in so many ways is a net worth statement. I couldn’t find a template with enough detail so I created one: My Net Worth Overview.
Examples of Use
This past month alone, I have helped women use it for SO many reasons:
- tracking CD maturities,
- consolidating too many accounts,
- determining which accounts to draw income from,
- same thing for gifting to family,
- identifying charitable options,
- reminding someone about their big picture of financial resources when worried about market volatility or to see the growth realized despite doomsday headlines,
- clarifying with an estate attorney on updates recommended,
- serving as the asset list of To Dos for survivor/family member after a loss,
- and serving as a comprehensive overview for decisions related to a home purchase, business loan, and investing decisions.
And that was all just in the last four weeks!
A Free Tool to Support Your Money and Wellness Focus
My point is that creating your summary serves so many purposes. And once you create it, annual updates are quick and easy! I believe in it so strongly that I recorded the workshop I used to offer monthly and now it is always available on demand (you can watch it at any time of day or night, no matter your time zone!) AND it comes with the downloadable Net Worth Summary tool… all FREE on my website.