Kickstart Your Financial Goals: Habits That Stick in 2025

Stop procrastinating...make this, the year you take action!

Alright, folks, it’s January, which means it’s time to leave the holiday chaos behind and get down to business. Let’s be real—every year starts with good intentions, right? “This is the year I’ll save more, spend less, and finally pay off that damn credit card!” But by February, you’re back to DoorDashing lattes and blaming inflation. Not this year. 2025 is going to be different because we’re about to get serious about building habits that actually stick.

So grab a coffee, water, or wine (no judgment), and let’s dive into how to kickstart your financial goals and make this year the one where you finally dominate your money.

Start With a Clear Financial Vision

First things first: Where the hell are you going? If you don’t know what your goals are, you’re just throwing money at random problems hoping one will go away. Take a minute to think about where you want to be financially by the end of 2025.

Do you want:

- To pay off $10,000 in debt?

- A solid $5,000 emergency fund?

- To finally start investing (yes, you can!)?

Write it all down. Be specific. Your vision isn’t just a dream—it’s your destination. And like any road trip, you’ll need a plan to get there.

Break Big Financial Goals into Bite-Sized Pieces

Big goals can feel overwhelming. “Pay off $10,000? That’s impossible!” Not if you break it into smaller chunks. Divide that $10K into monthly or even weekly targets. Suddenly, it’s not $10,000—it’s $833 a month or about $192 a week.

And before you freak out about how much that is, remember: You’re going to find that money by cutting the fat from your budget (more on that in a minute).

Automate the Heck Out of Everything

Let’s face it—we’re lazy creatures. If you rely on willpower to save money, you’ll end up spending it on Amazon Prime deals. Instead, make saving and investing automatic.

Set up direct deposits to your savings account before you even see your paycheck. Want to start investing? Start by opening an investment account and use your direct deposit feature to put $10 per pay...it's not much, but it gets you exercising that "muscle". Automating your finances takes the guesswork (and temptation) out of the equation.

Build Habits That Fit Your Life

Here’s the thing: If your financial habits feel like torture, you’re going to quit. Period. The key is finding strategies that actually fit your lifestyle.

For example:

- Hate spreadsheets? Use apps like YNAB or Monarch instead.

- Can’t do extreme couponing? Try cashback apps like Rakuten.

- Love eating out? Limit yourself to once a week and make it special.

The goal is progress, not perfection.

Ditch the All-Or-Nothing Mentality

Here’s where most people screw up: They think one slip-up ruins everything. You spent $50 on a fancy dinner? Big deal. It doesn’t mean you should abandon your entire financial plan.

Instead of beating yourself up, treat mistakes as a learning opportunity. Why did you overspend? How can you avoid it next time? Remember, the goal is to build sustainable habits—not chase perfection.

Find Your Accountability Squad

You don’t have to do this alone. Share your financial goals with a trusted friend, partner, or coach (ahem, like me). Accountability is a game-changer.

Think about it: You’re less likely to blow your budget if someone’s going to ask you about it. Plus, celebrating wins with someone makes the journey way more fun.

Celebrate Small Wins

Speaking of wins, don’t wait until you’ve hit the big goal to celebrate. Paid off a credit card? High-five yourself. Saved $500 toward your emergency fund? Treat yourself to something small (but meaningful) like that $5 latte you gave up to get back on track...once as a treat is way different than an every day latte habit!

Rewarding progress keeps you motivated and reminds you that every step forward counts.

Review and Adjust Your Plan Regularly

Financial goals aren’t a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Life happens, and sometimes you’ll need to adjust your plan. Make it a habit to check in on your finances monthly.

Ask yourself:

- Am I on track with my goals?

- What’s working? What’s not?

- Are there new expenses or opportunities to consider?

Think of your financial plan as a living, breathing thing—it grows and changes with you.

Remember Your Why

When motivation starts to fade (and it will), remind yourself why you’re doing this. Maybe it’s to create a better future for your family, retire early, or simply stop living paycheck to paycheck.

Your “why” is the anchor that keeps you grounded when the going gets tough. Keep it front and center—write it on a sticky note, set it as your phone background, whatever works for you.

Don’t Overthink It—Just Start

Look, the hardest part is always getting started. You don’t need to have everything figured out right now. Just take the first step, whether it’s opening a savings account, writing down your goals, or canceling a subscription you don’t use.

Action beats perfection every time. So stop procrastinating and get to work.

Final Thoughts: Make 2025 Your Year

This is your year to take control of your money and finally build habits that stick. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.

So, what’s your first step going to be? Drop your goals in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re kicking off 2025 with a bang. And remember, you’ve got this. Let’s crush those financial goals together!