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8 | WINTER 2019 If you want to get your fi nances on track, bud- geting is crucial to reaching your goal. Whether this is your fi rst time tackling this fi nancial hur- dle, you've tried and failed a few times or you're looking for ways to improve your current bud- get, addressing these fi nancial habits can lead to a successful fi nancial year. START TRACKING. Begin by writing down your needs and wants. Then use a notebook, an app or online banking to keep track of your income and expenses. Seeing what you have coming in and where your money is going will give you a better idea of what changes to make. STOP THE LEAKS. "Big budget busters tend to be things like eating out or coffee stops," said Jamie Fatheree, a certifi ed Credit Union Financial Counselor at American Airlines Fed- eral Credit Union. These purchases are usually small, so you may not notice how quickly they add up. Look at your spending and see if there are ways to cut back. For instance, instead of a PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY J.R. AREBALO Budget basics Creating and sticking to a budget creates a fi nancial foundation to reaching your fi nancial goals. Here's a start/stop/keep approach to the best budget habits to adopt in 2019. By Tamekia Reece