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AACREDITUNION.ORG | 15 with your fi nances," Sharp said. That could be balancing your checkbook, reviewing your account statements online or look- ing into investment options. Sharp recommends making a hit list at the beginning of the year of fi nancial topics you want to address. Set aside 30 min- utes once a week to work on the list, and you'll get through it faster than you think. Then, once a quarter, review all your fi nancial assets and liabilities with your fi nancial advisor. "It makes you aware of where your money is and the progress that you're making," Sharp said. MAKE MONEY WELLNESS A SOCIAL EVENT. Getting to the gym is much easier when you have a workout buddy waiting for you. Makes sense. Don't try to go it alone with your fi nancial knowl- edge. Consider joining a money club — this is a group of people who get together to discuss different topics related to fi nances, often over a meal. It doesn't have to be formal, though. Even if you just chat with friends or colleagues about topics like saving for retirement, that's a great start. "We have to get past this idea that it's embarrassing that we don't know more about money," said Sharp, who started an investment club for artists. "Talking to peers can give you great ideas." Remember, you don't have to be in shape to get in shape. So many people don't want to go to the gym until they're fi tter, but that's backward thinking — and with your fi nancial future, there's never a better time to set goals than now, even if your fi nances aren't in a perfect spot. Make the effort today, and it will pay off tomorrow. By the time next year's resolution-mak- ing season rolls around, you'll be deep into a wellness routine and ready for the next phase of the plan. Haley Shapley is a Seattle-based freelance writer whose 2019 New Year's resolution was to fi nish writing a book. Strong Like Her will be published in April 2020 by Simon & Schuster. Review all fi nancial assets quarterly. "It makes you aware of where your money is and the progress that you're making." — David Maurice Sharp