22 ways to save, invest and get smarter with money in 2022

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling (20)22.

Or at least, I'm feeling ready to make some changes to my money and financial habits. If you'd like to as well, this list is a good place to start.

You can think of these as financial resolutions, or as relatively easy financial to-do's to maximize your money next year. Not every task will apply to every person, but hopefully there's enough variety that you'll find a few that appeal to you.

Something else to consider: You don't need to check off every single item all at>1. Picture your perfect year

As you're ringing in the new year, take time to reflect>2. Track your growth

If you want a decent overview of your financial standing, calculating your net worth is a good start. This is essentially your assets (cash in checking and savings accounts, investments, real estate, cars, etc.) less your debts (student loans, mortgages, overdue credit card bills, etc.).

Try doing this at the start of each month in 2022 to see if and how you are progressing toward any savings or debt repayment goals. You can use an app like Personal Capital or You Need a Budget, or create your own Excel tracking sheet. I do the latter, tracking the balances in my savings account, checking account, 401(k), Roth IRA and brokerage account>3. Invest in an index fund

New to investing? Have a few hundred dollars you'd like to grow? Opt for an index fund. Yes, there are trendier options out there, but an index fund works for most investors, especially newbies, much of the time.

Index funds are designed to track the entire stock market – rather than investing in>4. Be careful with trading apps

Invest, yes, but be careful doing it through apps that make a game out of investing, particularly short-term investments and trades. Stock picking can be fun, but it's not a way for 99.9% of people to accrue wealth (see articles>5. See a financial therapist

How's your relationship with money? If it's strained, consider an appointment with a financial therapist. These professionals combine financial planning services and mental health treatment, helping clients process their underlying feelings about money, while making plans for retirement, savings, investments and other goals.

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6. Monitor your accounts

In 2022, there's no excuse not to be proactive about cybersecurity.

To protect yourself and your money, first you need to know where all of your accounts are, including banking, retirement, student loans and credit cards. Then, at the very least, make sure you turn>7. Find some inspiration

If your goals are feeling a little stale, search for some new inspiration.

Personally, I find subreddits like r/Anticonsumption, r/Bogleheads, r/FIREyFemmes and r/MoneyDiariesActive particularly engaging and thought-provoking. Depending>8. Ask for what you're worth

One thing we're leaving behind in 2021? Being underpaid for our work.

For many workers, the time has never been better to ask for a raise. Of course, this can be a nerve-wracking prospect. But Make It has plenty of advice>9. Improve your credit score

If you want to raise your FICO credit score, the two most important things you can do are pay off your bills>10. Make a plan for your benefits

Familiarize yourself with your employer's benefits this year. There could be things available you haven't been aware of, such as financial planning sessions, wellness opportunities or gym reimbursements. Taking a few minutes to go through your HR portal or reach out to your benefits manager directly can yield surprising results.

And remember, in some cases, if you rolled over FSA funds from the previous year, you need to spend them by a certain date. Don't let them go to waste.

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11. Do>12. Schedule a recurring life administration day

Whether it's>13. Learn about crypto

Look, you shouldn't throw all of your money into cryptocurrencies, but at this point, you should take time to learn about them and how they work. CNBC Make It is always publishing new explainers>14. Figure out your retirement number

Even if you're decades away from retirement, it's important to have an idea of how much you might need stashed away to support yourself after you stop working full time.

This will look different for everyone, depending>15. Contribute more to your Roth IRA

Speaking of retirement, financial advisors love Roth IRAs, which let savers contribute money after they have paid taxes>16. Increase your savings rate

Your savings rate is the percentage of your income that you keep each month, versus the amount that you spend (here's how to calculate it). Increasing it, even slightly, will put you in a better overall financial position. You'll have additional money stashed away for a rainy day, or to put toward your other goals, whether that's buying a house or investing more.

There are a number of ways to increase your savings rate: Up your 401(k) contributions, try to max out your Roth IRA or boost your automated savings each month.

The harder question is how to find the money to make those adjustments. Financial experts recommend starting small: Increase your 401(k) contribution by 1% at the start of each year or cut out>17. Cut down your expenses

Another way to save a little and ensure you're spending>18. Prepare for student loan repayments to resume

After a nearly two-year reprieve, federal student loans payments for around 41 million borrowers will resume Feb. 1, 2022.

To prepare, financial experts advise checking your balance to understand how much you owe each month.>19. Make your money count

Consider where your money has gone over the past year or so. Are you happy with how and where you're spending it?

If not, make some changes in 2022. That could mean shopping more at local small businesses, cutting out massive retailers like Amazon or looking into sustainable investing. No, your personal expenditures aren't likely to change how the entire world operates. But in many ways, your dollars are your voice. Exercise them with care.

20. Stop timing the market

When the stock market starts getting rocky, it's natural to want to pull back to "save" money. But that's the worst thing to do, and it costs investors a lot when everything is said and done.

Rather than letting your nerves get the best of you, think of a down market as a buying opportunity. At the very least, don't get spooked and pull your money out of your investments. Your bottom line will thank you.

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21. Talk it out

Schedule time with your significant other to get>22. Invest in yourself

Last week during a Twitter Q&A, I was asked what people should do if they receive a year-end bonus. Naturally, the "responsible" personal finance classics came immediately to mind: Pay down debt, put it toward your Roth IRA, stash it in a savings account for a rainy day.

But after the past two years, I think we could all use something a little more, well, fun. So this year, if you're able to do so, use some of your money to invest in yourself in a way you've always wanted to but could never justify before. Maybe that's by taking a class for a completely new field or hobby, or finally taking the plunge to move to your dream city.

Whatever investing in yourself means to you, make a pledge to actually go for it in 2022. You deserve it.

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