With the new year in full swing, it’s a great time to take stock of your personal finances. From building a budget and saving for retirement to getting a jump on this year’s taxes, here are some of the smart money moves to consider to help brighten your financial life in the new year. 1. Build a budget Creating a monthly budget can help you better understand your spending and identify how much money you can put toward your financial goals. First, take your monthly salary or wages after taxes are taken out. Next, tally your necessary expenses for each…