ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- It's time to start making your New Year's Resolutions. Local experts offer help for dieting and finances, two of the more common avenues for resolutions.
Dieticians say losing weight and eating healthy are two common resolutions, but sticking to both can be tough. Experts say making the goal of eating healthy is often too vague of a resolution, and you may need a more specific plan.
"A lot of times we create our goals, and they're very broad," says Mercyhealth dietician Dritka Otlmanns. "Instead of saying, 'I want to eat healthy' or 'I want to lose weight,' come up with more specifics to help hold you accountable and starting small and working your way up."
Otlmanns suggests starting small by adding in healthier options to at least one meal a day and working your up to make it easier to add those choices into your lifestyle.
Ringing in the New Year may encourage others to pursue financial resolutions. Northwest Bank offers advice to help you improve your financial standing in the coming year.
Assistant vice president and branch leader Jennifer Borg says it starts with creating a budget, calculating your net worth and re-evaluating your expenses. Once you do that, you can set specific financial goals and even prepare for the unexpected.
"Create an emergency fund, something that would be able to cover a sudden unexpected expenditure," says Borg. "A lot of people aren't prepared to cover even a $500 expense that comes up if they aren't ready for it."
Borg also recommends using the 50-30-20 rule when creating a budget. Put 50 percent of your income toward needs, 30 percent to wants and 20 percent to savings.
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Local experts offer advice for New Year's resolutions on diets, finances - WIFR
