Keeping Financial New Year’s Resolutions
In January, we all start the year feeling motivated to stick to our lofty New Year’s resolutions. As the month goes on, the pressure sets in, and habits are harder to keep. In our research, we found discourse over how long a habit takes to form. While a popular myth says 21 days, scientists now say between 4 and 355 days.
At Gulf Winds, we believe that creating habits during a financial journey looks different for everyone. Our Financial Coaches offer tailored solutions, unique to each member, that keep you dedicated to your financial goals during every step of the habit-forming process, no matter how long it takes.
Getting Serious About Savings
Whether the past year brought you reasons to prepare for a big life event, a lesson learned in needing the security of extra funds, or the need for an expensive purchase, setting aside more funds than the year before is often a goal for many going into a fresh year. Opening a savings account is a great first step to accomplishing that goal.
Gulf Winds offers different options for the type of savings you are looking for. With a Primary Share Savings Account, saving for any need is simple. If you’re saving for a certain occasion or holiday shopping, we have accounts that fit those needs. Our Secondary Savings Account is the perfect place to put extra cash if you’re planning exciting life events like vacations, college, a new car, or a wedding. A Holiday Savings Account is aimed towards annual end of the year or holiday shopping expenses and matures on November 1, automatically transferring into the account of your choice. As you form habits and are dedicated to your own savings journey, it is never too early to start your child or teen off on the right financial foot. With our Youth Savings Account, teaching your children to be responsible with money is made easy.
All of our choices grow as you save. As you build up your balance with easy transfers, your cash is boosted with daily dividends that are credited to your account monthly. While you work hard to set aside funds for your savings account, the cash you’ve previously deposited is working hard with you.
Creating a Helpful Budget
Figuring out what your budget should look like can be one of the most intimidating parts of creating a financial plan. When attempting to successfully apply a budget, it is important to categorize your purchases into needs and wants and understand the difference. Luckily, our certified financial coaches are ready to help you at no extra cost.
As you navigate your financial journey at any stage, our financial coaches can help identify where you are overspending, develop better spending habits, fix your credit score and craft a debt repayment strategy, so you can build the financial security you deserve. Breaking out of a cycle and changing your financial habits can be hard, so our steps to coaching are easy.
- Schedule Your Appointment
- Gather Documents
- Attend Personal Sessions
While you apply the strategy created with our team to your everyday life, you may need extra reminders or help to keep you on track. Experian has compiled a list of the best budgeting apps of 2026, ranging from free to subscription based. They offer pros and cons of each app, alternatives, and advice on how to choose which app is best for you.
Using additional resources, including savings accounts and digital apps, outside of your personal sessions with a financial coach can be helpful in staying motivated to accomplish the goals you have set together. As you free up extra funds and apply money where it is most useful, you may find that fixing one financial problem often leads to fixing many others.
At Gulf Winds, we work to give you the freedom to live your life, with your finances under control. With our help, make this the year your resolutions are fulfilled!