new year, better money habits

MONEY falls into the Top 3 most common New Year resolutions (following health + self improvement) – and it’s one of the “most failed” too! But, guess what? There’s a way to break this cycle of broken promises.

Today, we show you how to set up your 2025 money goals and give you a checklist of what to look out for to help you stay on track.

So, if you’ve dreaded financial resolutions, or struggled with how to budget money things – keep reading. You’re in for a treat!

👀: 6min read

How to budget money

📸: Death to Stock, Daniel Faro

(PS. For the record: “on track” to us = you can make more money, clear debt, and reach your full financial potential. That’s why we’re here!)

How to set up your Money Resolutions in 5 easy steps

We meet with members and members-to-be all the time. What we hear most is that people make plans to improve their finances just to fall back into old habits and stress about it, over and over again.

Why?

Penny POV: you need a realistic plan that meets what motivates you.

There are many variables that determine the success of keeping and achieving financial resolutions (age, demographic, place of residence, gender, etc.). But, they all have a handful of things in common.

So, we compiled the big takeaways from our research and professional experience to create an easy, 5-step action plan just for you.

Step 1: Get specific

Realize that a goal is just a statement.

Say your goal is, “I will save more this year.”

Okay, great! Now dive into the details:

What’s more? How much more?
This year when? In 6 months? In 12 months?
What for? Vacation? Home? Birthday shopping spree?

If you want to save money, that’s a great start. But you need more than that to determine how to get where you want to be. A better version of “I’ll save more” can be:

“By the end of this year I will save $1,000 to build my emergency savings.”

Step 2: Gameplan

Action is how you achieve.

Once you have your goal, think: How am I going to accomplish this?

Start big, get small.

If your goal is to save $1k in 1 year, break it down to tiny, bite-sized pieces.

For example:

“I will set aside $83 per month to reach my $1k goal by the end of the year.”

If saving $83/month doesn’t feel doable for you right now, adjust your goal.

How much can you save? It’s okay if your numbers need to be lower. What matters is that you take action. Keep it real. Those baby steps add up.

Step 3: Nurture your nature

Honor where you’re at. This is especially important if saving money isn’t something you’re used to.

Be radically honest with yourself:

Is it in your nature to do everything you wrote above?
Will you remember to set aside that $83?
What actions or habits can you take to set yourself up for success?

Maybe this means setting up a reminder or auto-transfer to move the money auto-magically.

Or creating a savings account that you’re not gonna touch, no-matter-what.

Make it as easy and effortless as possible for you to take action.

Step 4: Hold yourself accountable

Set a reminder to check in on your progress halfway through the year (or more).

Are you on track with your money goals?
Does anything need shifting?
Would an accountability buddy help?

Having a digital financial advisor like Penny is especially helpful, because she helps you stay on track. She’s like your personal trainer, for money moves. ;)

Step 5: Trust the process

Be gentle with yourself when you fall off. You can ALWAYS get back on.

Old habits are hard to break because they’re literally hard-wired into your mind and body. If you forgot to transfer money that month (or for several months), don’t beat yourself up. Set up that auto-transfer, or add reminders to your calendar.

Take a deep breath. And try again.

Trust that in time, you’ll build new money habits – and a hefty sum with it.

Not sure where to start? Here’s your 2025 Money Must-Do's

Here’s a list to help you make 2025 your best money-making year yet!

1. Update your mini budget

What are the big numbers you’re working with?
How much do you need for home, health/insurance, transportation, etc.?
What about general/fun stuff costs, like things that bring you joy?

Not familiar with our mini-budget method? Here’s a crash course.

Don’t try to budget out every line item. Most never stick with it, because traditional budgeting doesn’t make sense. Know your big numbers. Play within them.

2. Check your spending

How are your money habits?
Are you living within your means and making enough to support your lifestyle?
Are you spending in areas you genuinely care about?

3. Check your loans

What are you paying monthly?
How much longer until they’re gone?
Are you happy with that? Is there anything you’d like to adjust (pay more, pay less)?

4. Check your credit cards

Are you paying the statement balance in full every month? (gotta avoid those pesky interest charges!!!)
If you’re working towards paying them off, how’s your payoff plan?
Do you get benefits, like travel rewards or cash back?
Have you updated your income on the credit card portals?

Your credit score is another great way to gauge your financial health. You can get a free copy of your credit report at USA.gov (everyone can get this 1x/yr!) OR by logging into your actual credit card site.

5. Check your savings

Is your emergency fund set up?
Have you met your emergency fund money goals?
If not, how much can you set aside each month to reach that goal in a time frame that feels good to you?

6. Check your nest egg (aka your retirements accounts)

Did you contribute as much as you could into your 401k/IRA?
If not, what adjustments can you make to reach your goal this year?
If you switched employers, have you set up your new 401k/IRA and transferred your old one?
Have you invested the money in your 401k/IRA?
Are they returning at least 7%?
What investment adjustments should be made now that you’re a year older?

We meant what we said in the beginning of this post:

Our goal is that everyone knows how not to live paycheck to paycheck.

We’re here so you can reach full financial freedom, with your own wallet, on your own terms.

Are you ready to make real money moves in 2025?

Start learning and building your financial plan with Penny