Keep your goals for the new year alive

How are those resolutions holding up?

Every new year feels like a blank slate, a chance to do things better or to try something new. This year feels like a fresher start than usual. One of the most popular resolutions people make involves better money management.

Forming new financial habits can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. All it takes is a sensible approach — and the right tools.

Building a flexible budget that works

Your budget can really be tailored to meet your needs. Choosing the right budgeting method for your situation will make it more likely to work for you long-term.

For example:

A fixed budget may work if your paychecks come at regular intervals and in the same amount.
A flexible budget may work if your income isn’t predictable — like service industries, where tips account for much of your pay.

Often, most people find their comfort zone somewhere between the extremes.

Using the right tools to manage your budget

Utilizing the power of your bank is another tool to help you manage your budget. Your bank likely offers direct deposit and automatic bill payment, allowing you to take care of fixed expenses automatically.

However, there may be more tools available to you. Your bank account should have:

Low or no monthly fee¹
Convenient ways to track expenses whether online or via mobile app
Deposit cash or checks on the go—with Walmart MoneyCard you can add cash² or deposit checks² anytime you are at a Walmart
Text alerts including direct deposit notification, low balance notifications ³
Savings feature—preferably with a higher than the national average on interest
Optional overdraft protection up to $200 with opt-in and eligible direct deposit⁴
Bonus, for rewards that suit your lifestyle—with the Walmart MoneyCard you earn up to 3% cash back⁵ when you shop at Walmart.com

You should feel like you have control of your money and can manage those surprise expenses.

If you have a Walmart MoneyCard, learn more about the features available to you here. If you are interested in signing up for a Walmart MoneyCard, click here.

¹No monthly fee with qualifying direct deposit, otherwise $5.94 a month. Waived when $500+ is direct deposited in the previous monthly period.

²See Deposit Account Agreement for details at WalmartMoneyCard.com.

³Message and data rates may apply

⁴Activated, chip-enabled debit card, eligible direct deposit and opt-in required. $15 fee may apply to each eligible purchase transaction that brings your account negative. Balance must be brought to at least $0 within 24 hours of authorization of the first transaction that overdraws your account to avoid the fee. We require immediate payment of each overdraft and overdraft fee. Overdrafts paid at our discretion, and we do not guarantee that we will authorize and pay any transaction.  Learn more about Overdraft Protection

⁵Up to $75 per year. Subject to eligibility. Redeem rewards upon each anniversary of opening the account, using our website or app. See Deposit Account Agreement.

Walmart MoneyCards are issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association. And by Mastercard International Inc. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Green Dot Bank also operates under the following registered trade names: GO2bank, GoBank and Bonneville Bank. All of these registered trade names are used by, and refer to, a single FDIC-insured bank, Green Dot Bank. Deposits under any of these trade names are deposits with Green Dot Bank and are aggregated for deposit insurance coverage. Green Dot is a registered trademark of Green Dot Corporation.

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