When celebrating an annual milestone such as a birthday, it often seems as though the prior year has flown by. You may receive gifts from loved ones celebrating your big day, but it’s also time to give a present to yourself. This year, give yourself the gift of financial peace of mind. Consider the tips below as you enter into the year ahead and make this your best year yet.

Tip #1: Save First, Spend Later

One common mistake many make is to save what’s left over from their paycheck after spending. A more prudent approach is to make payments on regular expenses (such as rent or mortgage, utilities, etc.), set up automatic transfers into a separate savings account and budget your spending with what remains.

Tip #2: Set a Milestone for Yourself

Whether you want to pay down your home, take your dream vacation, or erase credit card debt, use our savings calculator to set a goal for next year. Make a plan, commit to action and when your next birthday rolls around, check your progress!

Tip #3: Keep Track of Your Retirement

Whether retirement is far or near, take steps to ensure a comfortable future. Online calculators can help you determine how much to save or spend in retirement.

No matter what your day holds, Ameris Bank wishes you happiness as you celebrate another year around the sun!