Vacations are about more than sleeping in. They give us a chance to explore new things, bond with our families, and take a much-needed break from work.

The start of a new year is an exciting time, and many people think about ways to improve their financial health and habits.

If saving money were a total breeze, perhaps people would do a better job of it. Unfortunately, a large percentage of Americans are glaringly behind on both near-term savings and retirement savings. If you've been slacking on the savings front, or have been making an earnest effort to save but find that you're still falling short, you're not alone.