What a year! Can you believe 2021 is here? We can’t!
As we reflect on 2020 and all the challenges it presented, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the year ahead. We’ve listed below five achievable resolutions and goals you should consider heading into the New Year:
1. Looking after your health
Your health and wellbeing are vital, so why not focus on them in 2021. It is extremely important to maintain good physical health through a healthy diet and exercise, but it is just as important to look after your mental health. Take some time to focus on yourself whether this be through meditation or simply having some down time to read a new book or listen to your favourite music. Your overall health and wellbeing can make for a healthier lifestyle, and it has been proven that lifestyle-related risk factors, including obesity and smoking, accelerate aging and chronic health conditions.
2. Protecting your family and finances
No matter what life stage you are currently at, it’s important to protect your finances and assist your family should something unexpected happen. If you already have Life insurance and Income Protection, the New Year is a good time to review it and ensure your levels of cover will provide what you think you’ll need, taking into account things such as your mortgage and major cost of living expenses for example.
If you don’t have cover the New Year is also a great chance to do some research. If you’re not sure how much cover you might need, you can use NobleOak’s award-winning Life insurance calculator. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete and you’ll be sent a free report with some information to consider when thinking about how much cover you may need.
Remember, that having adequate Life insurance in place can help reduce stress by giving you peace of mind that your family and lifestyle will be protected financially should something unexpected happen.
3. Start budgeting
Saving money, tracking expenses, and sticking to an allocated budget can be tough but the New Year is the perfect time to start. You should outline a budget that will work for you and there are plenty of apps to help you do that!
Just one example is Pocketbook. This is a free budgeting app that tracks all your expenses to calculate how much you spend each month. It automatically collects and syncs data from your bank accounts and categorises each purchase you make, so it can be a useful tool to show you exactly where you’re spending your money. You can then use the app to set yourself a monthly allowance for each type of spend, be it food, leisure, travel or bills. You can also let Pocketbook send you notifications when you’re getting too close to your monthly limits, and reminders when you have upcoming bills. Keep in mind it’s just a tool, though – it’s not financial advice which takes your needs or situation into account.
So, why not maintain and track your finances better and start budgeting in 2021!
4. Plan a holiday
When it’s safe to do so why not plan a holiday! With much unpredictability around travel at the moment and overseas travel a no go, even a short trip close to home will allow you to take a break and relax. There’s more and more evidence that people who holiday don’t just live healthier lives, they might actually live longer. Studies of middle-aged men with heart issues from around the world suggest they can be around 37% more likely to die from things like coronary heart disease if they don’t go on holidays regularly.
So, in 2021 don’t forget to take much needed rest and plan a holiday.
5. Try a new hobby
When researchers followed 7,500 people for 25 years, they found that those who complained of major boredom were roughly twice as likely to die from heart disease. Kick the boredom in 2021 and improve your health with a new hobby. Taking up a new sport such as golf or tennis can reap both physical and mental improvements. Or an activity such as cooking, knitting or gardening can keep your mind agile and improve your overall happiness and wellbeing.
2021 is the perfect time to be adventurous and try a new hobby!
The New Year will bring new and unexpected challenges, but these achievable goals can help you make the most of 2021 and keep you on track for a fulfilling year.
Find out more about NobleOak’s comprehensive Life insurance by speaking to our team members or request a quote today and mention ‘IPWEA”. As an IPWEA member, you get access to the following:
- Your first months cover free**
- 10% lifetime discount on Life cover*
- NobleOak also offers Income Protection, TPD, Trauma and Business Expenses cover
*10% lifetime discount – IPWEA
NobleOak Life Limited is authorised by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) to carry on life insurance business in Australia. Our Life Insurance products are only available to Australian residents. We are unable to offer Life Insurance products in New Zealand (or in any other jurisdiction outside Australia).
Important information – Discount – IPWEA members are entitled to a 10% discount (which remains for the life of the cover) on NobleOak’s Premium Life Direct standard premium rates on Life Insurance cover.
** One Month Free – 31 March
The first month free offer is available if you apply for cover before 31 March 2021. If you apply for cover before 31 March 2021, you will not start paying premiums until one month after the commencement date of the cover. This offer is available once only per new customer and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Important Information – This article is supplied by NobleOak and contains advertorial content. NobleOak Life Limited ABN 85 087 648 708 AFSL 247302 is the issuer of NobleOak life insurance products. Please read the PDS available on the website at www.nobleoak.com.au for information and product terms. This is general information only. It is not personal financial advice and does not take your situation or needs into account.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.597600
