It's time to work on our financial wellness. Have you neglected your financial health in the past? No worries! It's the perfect time to start fresh by creating new, healthy habits.

Not sure where to start? Start by asking yourself these easy questions:

• Do I have a budget?
• Do I need to start an emergency fund?
• Do I have a plan to pay off debt?
• Am I saving for retirement?

Are you feeling overwhelmed already? The trick is to take small steps. Let's look at four ways you can prioritise your financial wellness in January and set the tone for an amazing year!

Work on your money habits

Having better control of our money helps us improve our spending and saving habits. It's not too late to build good habits that help you budget and save for your long-term goals. Something as easy as drawing up a monthly budget, which consists of your expenditures and a spending limit, goes a long way in curbing overspending.

Do you find it hard to save money? Try putting aside small amounts monthly. You could allocate amounts each month to a MyWORLD Savings Pocket if you open a MyWORLD account. It makes tracking your savings so much easier.

Read more: Save money without changing your lifestyle

Be debt smart!

Addressing debt is not easy because it's financially and emotionally challenging. But it's an important part of transforming your life. So, take small steps: start by taking inventory of all debts, interest rates, and how much you owe. Then, budget for each payment due. Don't forget to include how much time you think it will take you to make each payment. You could also consolidate your debts into monthly instalments. This has provided relief for many people.

Read more: Need a loan? Tips to smart borrowing

Save extra money

If you've been disciplined and managed to save money, you'll want to focus on putting it to good use. Investing is a good option because it provides long-term value. And, it doesn't have to be expensive. You can invest tax-free from just R50 and still see returns.

Manage your emergency fund

Remember to keep your emergency fund separate from your current account and not to touch it unless there's an emergency. This could be a sudden illness, house or car repairs, or covering expenses due to job loss. Your emergency fund will cover these costs and you won't have to touch your savings. It's about being prepared for anything!

Remember…

Achieving financial wellness may seem overwhelming, but the process is actually quite simple. It's about setting a goal with infinite benefits and taking small steps to meet it. It's also great because the habits you build today will continue to benefit you (and your family) in the future.