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Creating a successful financial future starts with small, deliberate steps today. Use the 90-day plan below to help you build a solid financial foundation and establish smart habits. Whether your goal is to reduce debt, build savings, or start investing, defining your goals and leveraging Halliburton’s 401(k) plan will help get you started.

Days 1-30: Budget, Set Goals, and Manage Debt

• Build a simple, sustainable budget: Start by tracking two to four weeks of spending to see where your money goes. The results of this exercise may surprise you, and it’s a great way to get a realistic picture of your current spending habits and where you may want to adjust. Then, use a straightforward framework to create a budget, such as 50/30/20: 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings/debt. Review your budget quarterly and adjust for life changes rather than impulsive purchases.
• Set goals: Set clear, achievable goals using the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Schedule a complimentary one-on-one session with a Fidelity Workplace Planning Consultant to help you set realistic financial goals and assist with retirement planning. Call (800) 603-4015 to make an appointment. 
• Pay down debt: Debt can be a major barrier to financial wellbeing. Prioritize paying down high-interest debt first, such as credit cards or payday loans, while making at least minimum payments on other debts. Reducing debt frees up money to save and invest. 

Days 31-60: Build Your Emergency Fund

• Build an emergency fund: An emergency fund is your financial safety net, protecting you from unexpected expenses like car repairs, job loss, or medical bills. Start with a realistic target—a common approach is to begin with $500 and gradually build to cover three to six months of essential living expenses. Keep your emergency fund in a safe place where your money can grow a little but is still easy to access when you need it—like a savings account at your bank or a money market fund that pays a bit of interest and lets you withdraw money quickly without penalties.
• Automate savings: Try a “pay yourself first” approach: Automate transfers to savings before discretionary spending. For example, your Halliburton 401(k) plan contributions come out of your paycheck automatically—and you can automate other savings as well.

Days 61-90: Track Your Progress and Increase Your Contributions 

• Track progress towards your retirement goals: In order to stay on track with your savings, make sure you regularly go back to the goals you set earlier and review your progress. This enables you to make sure you’re still on course and determine whether adjustments are needed. For example, if you find you’ve been spending more than planned, this gives you a chance to adjust your expenses before it negatively impacts your progress toward your savings goals.
• Consider increasing your 401(k) contributions: After reviewing your progress toward your goals, review your 401(k) contribution rate and consider whether you can increase it. If retirement is still a ways off, keep in mind that starting early can make a big difference, because your investment earnings can generate their own earnings over time due to compounding. For more on this, read “Let’s Talk … About the Power of Compound Returns”. Plus keep in mind that if you’re age 50 or older, you’re eligible to make additional catch-up contributions to help accelerate your retirement savings. 

Jumpstarting your financial wellbeing is about building momentum through clear goals and steady saving. Small, consistent steps today can lead to big rewards tomorrow. Start now, stay committed, and watch your financial confidence grow.

Sources:
Vanguard: Essential Saving Tips for Young Adults
Fidelity: A Step-By-Step Financial Checklist