Financial resolutions tend to be as effective as low-calorie diets. "I'm going to stop overspending and start saving more" is like saying, "I'm going to stop eating junk food and start working out," which is to say that nothing changes unless you put in the work.
If you've got the economic equivalent of a sweet tooth, a promise to make changes can't magically fix your money woes unless you take the necessary steps — yes, even if tied to the fanfare of champagne toasts at the stroke of midnight.
Quitting anything is tough and takes a solid game plan. While we can't supply the resolve, we can arm you with proven tips to crush debt and build wealth by setting realistic financial goals that will be easy to stick to well beyond January.
Steal this billionaire wealth-building technique
The ultra-rich have also been investing in art from big names like Picasso and Bansky for centuries. And it's for a good reason: Contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years.
A new company called Masterworks is now allowing everyday investors to get in on this type of previously-exclusive investment. You can buy a small slice of $1-$30 million paintings from iconic artists, all without needing any art expertise.
If you have at least $10k to invest and are ready to explore diversifying beyond stocks and bonds, see what Masterworks has on offer. (Hurry, they often sell out!)
Be specific and measurable
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"I need to save more money," is wishful thinking. "I need a $500 emergency cushion by April," is an actionable goal you can chart your progress toward.
To save $500 over 13 weeks, you'd need to set aside $38.46 a week — or roughly $69 every two weeks if paid biweekly.
When your goal is specific, measurable, achievable, and time-bound, you're more likely to be able to stick with it. Tracking progress builds momentum and can prime your willpower and wallet to tackle harder goals afterward.
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Start small
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Is $500 enough to live on if you lose your job? Probably not. But you need to start somewhere and $500 is a realistic and achievable cushion. From automated savings to side hustles, anyone can reach it.
If you set out saying "$10K a or bust," you could be setting yourself up for failure. Think bite-sized.
Your small savings goal doesn't have to be $500. But the figure should be meaningful to your budget, challenging enough to require consistent effort, and realistic enough to keep you motivated.
Automate your finances
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There's no need to wrestle with willpower all alone when technology can do the heavy lifting. Automate your savings or debt payments. When the money goes directly there, you're paying your future self first.
Start with a small amount that you can comfortably afford, even if it's just a few bucks. As the balance starts to grow, you'll be inspired to increase your contributions.
Borrow up to $50k to finally crush your debt
If you have thousands in debt and you’re barely making it paycheck to paycheck, you know how suffocating it is. Debt is always on your mind. It controls your life. And even if you make on-time payments, they’re so expensive that you have nothing left over.
A personal loan could help you get out of this situation and lift your monthly debt burden significantly. You could finally pay off all of your debt at once, get rid of the sky-high interest rates, and slash your debt load to one manageable monthly payment.
AmONE is a marketplace where you can find some of the best personal loans available. They match you with loans up to $50,000 with rates as low as 2.49%. That’s better than most credit cards. And easier than draining your bank account every month. Seeing what you qualify for doesn’t affect your credit score, and if you’re approved, you could get money the next day.
Write down your spending
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Everyone has overspent a time or two before. Maybe even most of the time. No judgment here. But if you want to get in better financial shape, it starts with understanding where all the money goes.
An approach that's helped me is writing down what I spend. I got a blank journal to record all my to-do tasks and daily purchases. Since I loathed having to write down "$7 coffee" every day, I've scaled back that habit.
Writing down what I buy is like a money confessional: it keeps me a lot more honest.
Review and adjust
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Finding your financial groove is fantastic, but money is not a "set it and forget it" process. Life happens. Job loss, medical bills, or other big expenses creep in and throw finances off track.
That's why regular check-ins are key. Once a month, review your progress and make adjustments where needed. The key is flexibility so your money can adapt to life's curveballs.
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Break down big goals
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For a big goal, like saving for a down payment, break it down into smaller goals.
First, figure out how much money you need. If you need $20,000, you could break that figure into smaller manageable chunks like saving $128.21 a week over three years.
Yes, it will take you a while to get there — but progress requires patience. And even if you start at a slow clip, you're not tethered to that pace. You can reevaluate your progress and readjust.
Use visual cues
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"Out of sight, out of mind" isn't always a good thing. While it may help to automate your savings, some financial goals are more powerful when you have a constant, in-your-face reminder.
Create a vision board or Pinterest board of what you're saving for. Use savings trackers and sticky notes. These simple visual cues can be motivational.
And for debts, total them up — all of them. Write the number down and stick it on your fridge. No one else has to know what the number is. It's a powerful, effective way to hold yourself to account instead of relying on sheer willpower.
Find an accountability partner
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Sorting out your money can feel lonely, like sitting in the breakroom eating food alone while your coworkers are out to lunch.
But setting up financial goals doesn't have to be isolating. Share goals with others to stay on track. This could be a friend, family, or a financial coach. You don't need to detail the why — just let them know you are saving toward a milestone.
Surround yourself with like-minded savers
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People you spend time with influence your financial habits. If your friends see shopping as a social activity and splurge on pricey vacations and $100 leggings, you're in a continual state of temptation, envy, and resentment — plus, much more likely to blow your budget.
This doesn't mean you need to ditch your existing circle. Let your friends know of your savings goals and suggest free or low-cost activities such as going for a walk outdoors or having a game night.
Additionally, check out Reddit forums like r/Frugal for encouragement. Joining these communities can normalize frugality and long-term financial planning.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1 <p>See website for details.</p>
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Commit to "I do" instead of "I should"
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Shift your mindset. Saying, "I need to order in less" gives you permission to fail.
Instead, tell yourself, "I do not order in because there's food at home." Or turn, "I should stop overspending" into "I do not spend on things that will not serve me long-term."
This can have a profound psychological effect. I've told myself, "I do not order in" on many occasions when leaving work late and rushing to daycare pickup.
Bottom line
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Your financial goals for 2025 don't need to be perfect — they just need to be achievable. Start small, stay consistent, and don't be afraid to adjust your plans as life changes.
With these strategies, you can set yourself up for a year of real progress and financial wins. And remember, financial wellness is a journey, not a destination. So pace yourself, and adopt meaningful, sustainable habits.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
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- Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.
- 10 brilliant ways to build wealth after 40.
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