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14 | WINTER 2020 American Airlines Federal Credit Union The Credit Union's Financial Wellness program helps members create a solid personal financial foundation. See Page 42 or call (833) FIN-WELL (833-346-9355) for more information. MAKE SLOW AND STEADY CHANGE. When you first go into the gym, you won't immediately be able to lift the heaviest dumbbells. But if you show up regularly, those weights will increase. It works the same way with saving money. "The progress that you make is measured in being consistent over a long period of time," said David Maurice Sharp, a financial educator in New York City. To make the process even easier, try setting up an automatic payment to your savings every month. BEWARE BURNOUT. It's easy to get caught up in New Year's enthusiasm, which pushes you into wanting to accomplish all your goals at once. That's not realistic — and it's a recipe for becom- ing overwhelmed. "If you go gangbusters, you can get frustrated," Sharp said. "When working toward a financial goal, start small." That might mean picking an amount to save and upping it by just $5 every few months. That consistent effort is better than a couple of good months followed by no progress toward your goal until you make a new resolution next year. SET A ROUTINE. The people who are most suc- cessful with exercising on a regular basis are the ones who treat their workouts as an entry on the calendar that's the same as an appointment or other commitment. How does that work with financial wellness? "Pick a certain time every week that you're just going to sit down and address something to do or resolution makers, health-related goals are the most common way to start the new year on a fresh note. Take the same approach you use for improving your physical well-being to improving your fiscal well-being by creating a financial wellness routine for 2020. By setting up a defined plan, with goals and steps to take to get you there, you can make this year your most monetarily sound yet.