If 2017 wasn’t the best year for your bank account, you’re probably hoping 2018 will be better. Here are a few ways you can make sure you get your finances back on track next year:

Make a plan

Whether you’d like to pay off debt or save for something big (say a car, a vacation, or a house downpayment), the first step is to get clear about your goals. That means taking a good hard look at your finances and figuring out exactly how much you need to make it happen. For most of us, we simply go through the motions, paying bills and then spending the rest of our cash and never getting much further ahead. Instead, you need to write down exactly what it is you’re saving for so you can make it happen.

Create a budget

Once you know what you’re saving for, the next step is figuring out how you’ll make it happen. That means looking at how much you earn, how much you spend, and where you can find extra money to pay off your debt or add to your savings. As you create your budget, now is also a good time to figure out where your money is going, and what types of things you can live without. Maybe you tend to go out to eat or order in a few times a week. Perhaps you’re a daily Starbucks drinker or you simply love going out for cocktails with the girls. Whatever it is, consider ways you can cut down your most expensive habits or cut them out completely.

Get serious
When you’re serious about overhauling your finances, it’s a good idea to completely revamp your life. Let your friends know you’re not interested in eating out but you’d love a potluck dinner. Plan movie nights in with a few drinks instead of dinner and the movies. Ditch expensive hobbies for fun games that could actually make you money like Asian Casino Top10. If you’re not using your gym membership, give it up and commit to exercising outside or at home for free.

Set milestones

Life can get pretty sad when you’re on a strict budget. For this reason, set up milestones so you can celebrate along the way. Maybe you’ll treat yourself to a shopping splurge once you’ve paid off a credit card, or you’d like to go out for a nice dinner once you’ve met a particular saving goal. These milestones will help keep you focused and give you something to look forward to so you’re not tempted to throw in the towel when it seems like everyone else is having fun.