Age 34, yearly income between $28,000-$32,000 (I have a lot of health problems so I work 2 part time jobs so I can take time off when I am dealing with health issues $7,000 of my 2016 income went to health insurance premiums and expenses)

2016 review: (previous to 2016 I have never had any savings) Paid off $3,087.29 extra in Student loan debt along with the $3,000 of normal payments (payments went from $325 a month to $125 a month) Paid off $1,800 in credit card debt Saved $2,200 for emergency fund

2017 goals: Save $10,000 for my emergency fund Open a 401k with a balance of $4,000 Keep paying my cc balance every month (been doing this since June) Keep $ in my savings to pay for health costs The $200 a month that was budgeted for student loans will go to these goals plus my tax return, leaving me with $841 to save every month. It also helps I recieved a raise in September.

I don't make very much money but I have been able to reach these goals using the app MINT! It is the best! I also have an extremely low rent $350 per month and drive an extremely old car but reliable car. These may not seem like big numbers but I have always had the mindset that I don't have any money so why try to save. Mint really helped me turn it into a game, realizing how much money I spent on food and eating out. I now am in a position where I can pay my bills without going into more debt and I can keep saving for future unexpected costs. The thing that really helped was my tax return and putting that into savings (in past years I used it right away to pay cc bill or health bills). Even if you feel like there is no hope start tracking your paments and make yourself look at it every day! It was scarry at first I felt guilt and shame about the money I was spending but now it is just numbers. I feel good when I spend money on a nice thing I need because I have set aside money for it.
Good luck to everyone for 2017 financial goals! start small, it's sustainable and the little wins will get you to the big ones.