Let's talk money: Here are 4 ways to be better with your cash in 2019

This cycle can make discussing your finances - let alone fixing them - less appealing than a Christmas with the in-laws. And have you seen the market lately?

As we reach the end of December, the time has come for the annual tradition that binds together Americans of every stripe: resolve to save more money next year.

Many of us divide this resolution into the same aspirational money triptych: spend less, save more, pay down debt. While that’s a concise and practical list, those dreams are often dashed before the snow thaws.

And for good reason. Chances are your pay hasn’t kept up with life’s most expensive aspects, such as health care, which can put a strain on your budget and even lead you into credit card debt.